DeGette Supports Trade Agreements with South Korea and Panama, Opposes Deal with Columbia
WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) tonight issued the following statement following her votes on three key trade agreements. DeGette voted in favor of legislation implementing trade agreements reached between the United States and the governments of South Korea and Panama; and opposed legislation strengthening trade ties with Columbia. The United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement passed the House of Representatives by 262 to 167; United States-Korea Free Trade Agreement passed the House by 278 to 151; and the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement passed by 300 to 129.
"The United States has a deep history with both South Korea and Panama, and I believe that these two trade agreements will leverage those productive relationships to the benefit of the American, and even the Colorado, economy. Korea is already our nation's seventh largest trading partner, and this agreement holds great promise for agriculture and technology exports from Colorado. Regarding Panama, we actually send more of our goods to their country than we import, and in fact, the majority of our nation's exported goods overall must flow through the Panama Canal, making our trade partnership with that nation a critical relationship. While legitimate concerns have been raised over these agreements, the Obama Administration has addressed those concerns, particularly with respect to U.S. access to Korea's automobile market and Panama's tax compliance issues. Ultimately, the agreements with these two countries strengthen America's economic and political ties in important regions of the world.
"Eliminating tariffs that disadvantage U.S. businesses is an important goal but the inability of Colombia in general to maintain the rule of law remains a significant concern. This agreement also hinges on labor and human rights protections that have yet to materialize in Colombia. These are conditions that I simply cannot overlook, and therefore I could not lend my support to the Columbia agreement."
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