As the U.S. negotiates with the Colombian government to finalize a free trade agreement, U.S. Rep. Aaron Schock is visiting that country to gather support for the agreement's approval.
Schock, R-Peoria, and a bipartisan congressional delegation are expected to meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santo and cabinet officials, labor leaders and employers on a two-day fact-finding mission.
U.S. leaders also will examine the Colombian plan related to labor rights.
"Colombia is a strong American ally and they are a vibrant economic hub in Latin America.
It's vital to both our interest and theirs that this free trade agreement is finalized as soon as possible," Schock said in a prepared statement.
House Republicans are pressing for a vote on pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea by this summer to help boost economic growth by opening new markets for U.S. goods and services.
The U.S. now has FTA's with Mexico, Chile and Peru.
Earlier this month, the U.S. and Colombia reached a deal on a free trade pact after the Colombians agreed to offer greater protections for workers and union leaders, an area of key concern for the U.S.
The final pact will boost U.S. exports to Colombia by more than $1 billion per year and could support thousands of American jobs.
FTA's would benefit the top two employers in the 18th Congressional District: agriculture and manufacturing, Schock said.
Colombia is one of Caterpillar Inc.'s 10 largest export markets. Illinois agriculture is a major supplier of grains to Latin America, and Colombia has been one of the top 10 export markets for U.S. corn.
More than 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products to Colombia will become duty free with the agreement, with remaining tariffs phased out over 10 years.
Schock estimated the delay in the U.S. signing of the agreement has cost more than $3.4 billion in duties on U.S. products.
"The longer we wait the more time we allow our international competitors the chance to enter into agreements with Colombia, thus limiting our access and ability to aggressively compete," Schock said.
Schock last visited Colombia two years ago to discuss free trade.
Other overseas trips were to Kabul, where he met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Illinois troops, Honduras, Panama, Mexico, Brazil and Israel, as well as Cuba to visit the Guantanamo Bay detention center.
By the numbers
92 percent of Caterpillar Inc.'s large mining trucks shipped from Decatur are exported.
82 percent of large track type tractors shipped from East Peoria are exported.
58 percent: increase Caterpillar saw in sales to Latin America last year.
25 percent: number of Illinois manufacturing jobs that depend on exports.
$270 million: Illinois' share of exports to Colombia in 2009.
$2.5 billion: Amount the U.S. International Trade Commission estimates the free trade agreement with Colombia will add per year to the U.S. gross domestic product.
Schock, R-Peoria, and a bipartisan congressional delegation are expected to meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santo and cabinet officials, labor leaders and employers on a two-day fact-finding mission.
U.S. leaders also will examine the Colombian plan related to labor rights.
"Colombia is a strong American ally and they are a vibrant economic hub in Latin America.
It's vital to both our interest and theirs that this free trade agreement is finalized as soon as possible," Schock said in a prepared statement.
House Republicans are pressing for a vote on pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea by this summer to help boost economic growth by opening new markets for U.S. goods and services.
The U.S. now has FTA's with Mexico, Chile and Peru.
Earlier this month, the U.S. and Colombia reached a deal on a free trade pact after the Colombians agreed to offer greater protections for workers and union leaders, an area of key concern for the U.S.
The final pact will boost U.S. exports to Colombia by more than $1 billion per year and could support thousands of American jobs.
FTA's would benefit the top two employers in the 18th Congressional District: agriculture and manufacturing, Schock said.
Colombia is one of Caterpillar Inc.'s 10 largest export markets. Illinois agriculture is a major supplier of grains to Latin America, and Colombia has been one of the top 10 export markets for U.S. corn.
More than 80 percent of U.S. exports of consumer and industrial products to Colombia will become duty free with the agreement, with remaining tariffs phased out over 10 years.
Schock estimated the delay in the U.S. signing of the agreement has cost more than $3.4 billion in duties on U.S. products.
"The longer we wait the more time we allow our international competitors the chance to enter into agreements with Colombia, thus limiting our access and ability to aggressively compete," Schock said.
Schock last visited Colombia two years ago to discuss free trade.
Other overseas trips were to Kabul, where he met with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Illinois troops, Honduras, Panama, Mexico, Brazil and Israel, as well as Cuba to visit the Guantanamo Bay detention center.
By the numbers
92 percent of Caterpillar Inc.'s large mining trucks shipped from Decatur are exported.
82 percent of large track type tractors shipped from East Peoria are exported.
58 percent: increase Caterpillar saw in sales to Latin America last year.
25 percent: number of Illinois manufacturing jobs that depend on exports.
$270 million: Illinois' share of exports to Colombia in 2009.
$2.5 billion: Amount the U.S. International Trade Commission estimates the free trade agreement with Colombia will add per year to the U.S. gross domestic product.
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