Rangel seeks ITC help on Caribbean trade

Rangel seeks ITC help on Caribbean trade House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., has requested an investigation by the International Trade Commission into ways the United States could adjust its trade policies to help the economies in the Caribbean.
   Rangel said the United States needs to begin a review of its Caribbean trade policies before the Caribbean Basin Trade Partnership expires Sept. 30, 2008, according to a report in World Trade Interactive.
   The request seeks specific information on Caribbean trade ranging from the use of Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act preferences for textiles and apparel to the impact of agreements like the North America Free Trade Agreement and the Dominican Republic-Central America Free Trade Agreement. Rangel is also interested learning more about how Caribbean products are faring in global markets.
   While on a trip to Barbados last week, Rangel, a long-time advocate in Congress for Caribbean interests, said the Bush administration needs to change its Caribbean trade policies to increase U.S. trade throughout the region, rather than focusing on problems with nations like Cuba and Venezuela.
   A Caribbean Broadcasting Corp. (CBC) report on Rangel's trip said the New York congressman considers a trade agreement with Colombia to be a top priority for Congress, adding he believes the United States should seek to ease restrictions on trade with Cuba, as well.