Emergency Committee For American Trade

ECAT and Other Business Groups Urge Renewal of Andean Trade Preferences for Peru and Colombia: Serious Concerns Persist about Ecuador and Bolivia

, D.C., October 8, 2009: Calman J. Cohen, President of the Emergency Committee for American Trade (ECAT), issued the following statement in conjunction with the letter of ECAT and other business associations to Congressional leaders in support of the renewal of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) for Peru and Colombia:

“ATPA has served an important role, particularly in countries like Peru and Colombia that have diversified their economies away from illegal narcotics and strengthened their own legal systems. While ECAT very much wants to see a stronger, more reciprocal relationship through the passage of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement this year, renewal of ATPA is still required to ensure that the current trading relationship with Colombia and Peru (which requires ATPA for products co-produced with Colombia) is not disrupted by ATPA’s expiration at the end of this year.

“ATPA, like other U.S. preference programs, serves an important purpose in promoting economic development and strong U.S. relationships with developing countries. These preference programs should not, however, be extended automatically, particularly where countries are turning their back on basic due process and the rule of law, as is the case with respect to both Ecuador and Bolivia. As documented by the six-month review by the President, the State Department and other reports, there are serious concerns about both of these countries. Bolivia’s benefits have been suspended and Ecuador’s have been under review. Ecuador and Bolivia should not be rewarded for their actions by a broad or lengthy ATPA renewal. Rather, any extension should be no longer than six-months for these countries and be limited to products from non-state dominated sectors.

In addition to ECAT, the other business organizations signing this letter are the Business Roundtable, National Association of Manufacturers, National Foreign Trade Council, United States Council for International Business and U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

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Founded in 1967, ECAT is an organization of the heads of leading U.S. international business enterprises representing all major sectors of the American economy. Their annual worldwide sales exceed $2.7 trillion and they employ more than 6.4 persons. ECAT’s purpose is to promote economic growth through the expansion of international trade and investment.

Attached Document(s): 10-08-09 Letter on ATPA Renewal.pdf