ISDS Case Map
Colombia
The presidential campaign of Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton said Tuesday that her husband, the former president, supports a free trade agreement with Colombia that she strenuously opposes.
The dispute between the White House and Democrats on the economy escalated sharply Wednesday over a surprise move by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to scrap the House's rules and hold hostage a trade accord sought by the administration until President Bush agrees to more economic relief for Americans.
Hillary Clinton's chief campaign strategist met with Colombia's ambassador to the US on Monday to discuss a bilateral free-trade agreement, a pact the presidential candidate opposes. Mark Penn wasn't there in his campaign role, but in his separate job as chief executive of Burson-Marsteller Worldwide, an international lobbying firm. The firm has a contract with Colombia to promote congressional approval of the trade deal.
In the past week the Bush administration has unearthed a "national security" justification for passage of the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement that can't be allowed to stand.
Edgar Paez considers himself fortunate to be able to campaign across the United States this month against the proposed US-Colombia free trade deal. Twenty-two members of his union - assassinated for their activism - weren't so lucky.
Free trade talks between Canada and South Korea have hit some serious roadblocks and could end in failure, Trade Minister David Emerson said Tuesday.
There have been a lot of surprising developments in recent days on the Colombia FTA, most recently with Dem leadership seeming to be suggesting that there could be a vote on the Colombia FTA if there is more trade adjustment assistance. (As we've argued before, it's hard to get all worked up for TAA, because it is highly inadequate to the scope of the problem, but that's for another time.)
Change to Win released a print ad today demanding the United States Congress reject the Colombia Free Trade Agreement deal that the Bush administration is threatening to send to Congress in the coming weeks despite strong opposition.
The White House is moving toward sending the Colombia Free Trade Agreement to Congress without the blessing of Democratic leaders. Already, a coalition of business groups pushing for the trade deal is forming “war rooms” and ramping up lobbying efforts in anticipation of the coming battle.
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab told Congress on Thursday "the time is now" to approve a free trade agreement with Colombia, signaling a fight with lawmakers seeking stronger rights for workers.
