Next Trade Update : January 8, 2008
Happy Holidays!
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Featured Headlines
CalChamber Hosts Canadian Ambassador
The California Chamber of Commerce hosted His Excellency Michael Wilson, Canadian Ambassador to the United States, at an international luncheon forum on December 13, 2007.
Ambassador Wilson discussed U.S-Canada trade in the Northern hemisphere and worldwide and the need to maintain a secure border without stifling trade.
Among the more than 65 guests who greeted Ambassador Wilson were California government officials and businesspeople from California and Canada, including representatives of agriculture, transportation, manufacturing and technology. CalChamber, December 14, 2007
Bali Climate Deal Keeps World at Table
The landmark global warming document agreed to on Saturday at a United Nations climate conference here was weakened in furious last-minute negotiations, but still made important progress in two key areas. Under pressure from the United States, the document abandoned setting any firm goal for worldwide emissions reductions and left open the possibility that industrialized countries could avoid individual caps on their emissions. Los Angeles Times, December 17, 2007
Colombia's Strong Business Record
In November, I attended the 2007 Session of the Houston Seminar Series organized by the U.S. Embassy in Cartagena, Colombia. The meeting dealt with poverty reduction and income distribution in the context of growth. A few days earlier, the Center for Strategic & International Studies published the Report Back from the Brink: Evaluating Progress in Colombia, 1999-2007, which mainly focuses on political developments. Latin Business Chronicle, December 17, 2007
U.S. and Peru Sign Free Trade Agreement U.S. President George W. Bush and Peruvian President Alan García signed the U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on Friday. The U.S. Senate voted 77-18 on December 4 to approve the agreement, which will ensure that the United States will continue to gain access to world markets, resulting in an improved economy and additional employment of Americans.
Last month, on November 8, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the FTA by a vote of 285-132. CalChamber, December 17, 2007
U.S.-Peru Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. This agreement is a critical element of a possible U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement and of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.
CalChamber Position: Support Status: Signed into Law!!!
U.S.-Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement
A bilateral TPA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. This agreement is a critical element of a possible U.S.-Andean Free Trade Agreement and of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through bilateral, regional and multilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative
U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA that will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries. A U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives. The agreement will also increase momentum toward lowering trade barriers and set a positive example for other small economies in the Western Hemisphere.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative
U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement
A bilateral FTA which will lower tariffs and foster increased trade between both countries and is a critical element of the U.S. strategy to liberalize trade through multilateral, regional and bilateral initiatives.
CalChamber position: Support
Status: Pending Congressional Action
Act now! Click here to send a letter to your representative
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