ISDS Case Map
Colombia
Canada is "very close" to concluding free trade negotiations with Colombia, Trade Minister David Emerson said on Monday, calling those opposed to the deal on human rights grounds as "dogmatic." Emerson also presented legislation to Parliament to enact a free trade pact with the European Free Trade Association, comprised of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
Lately, the US labor movement has been accused of "lying" about the violence confronting unionists in Colombia. The accusers' argument is that "only" 39 unionists were killed last year in Colombia. Commentators who use "only" and "merely" to describe 39 murders do not value the sanctity of human life. In addition, they ignore the fact that, even while union killings declined in 2007, the Colombian military's share of such killings actually rose.
The postponement of a vote in the US Congress is just a temporary victory for Colombian workers, due primarily to the hard work of many Colombian trade unionists who have risked their lives visiting the United States to expose the crimes and violence against union leaders in their country.
The allegation could increase resistance in Washington to a US-Colombia free trade deal, blocked by House of Representatives Democrats concerned that Uribe is not doing enough to protect labor union members who are often targeted by the paramilitaries.
The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) called on Congressional leaders to approve the trade pact claiming considerable progress in Colombian government efforts to protect trade unionists.
Long-time US critics of corporate-friendly free trade agreements are applauding House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi for effectively putting the brakes on a deal with the South American nation of Colombia.
President Bush stepped up pressure Monday on Congress to approve a controversial free-trade pact with Colombia, saying the deal is "dead" unless House Speaker Nancy Pelosi schedules a vote.
US farm and ranch voices avoid singing same tune on US-Colombia trade proposal
The US House of Representatives voted 224-195 Thursday to effectively postpone a vote on the US-Colombia trade agreement until House Democratic leaders decide to bring it to the floor. US Trade Representative Susan Schwab told reporters the House action " effectively kills the Colombia FTA."
U.S. President George W. Bush on Monday announced a plan to submit a U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement to the U.S. Congress for ratification, despite opposition from the Democratic Party, which is opposing FTA deals. Attention is now drawn to how the U.S. debate on the proposed Colombia deal will affect the Korea-U.S. FTA.
