House supports 10-month extension of Andean trade program

House supports 10-month extension of Andean trade program    The U.S. House of Representatives approved on Wednesday a 10-month extension of the Andean Trade Preference Act.
   The ATPA allows duty-free access to the U.S. market for certain goods from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia in support of those countries' efforts to eliminate production of narcotics.
   The ATPA is due to expire on Friday. The Senate must also approve the extension and send the legislation to President Bush for signature in order to avoid potential disruptions to trade under the program.
   Congress first authorized the ATPA legislation in 1991. The program was enhanced in the 2002 Trade Act under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, which expired on Dec. 31, 2006. Congress has twice extended the program, most recently until Feb. 29.
   The Bush administration views the ATPA extension as a segue to Congress approving a pending U.S. free trade agreement with Colombia.
   'Congress should seize the opportunity to support a key ally and establish a reciprocal trade partnership with Colombia by approving' the free trade agreement, said U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab in a statement.
   Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer said the free trade agreement with Colombia would 'replace one-way trade with two-way free trade by providing U.S. farmers, ranchers and businesses with duty-free access to that market.
   'Last year, Colombia's more than 44 million consumers bought $1.2 billion worth of U.S. food and agricultural products, and this agreement provides potential access for boosting our sales significantly,' Schafer added.
   Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez said Wednesday he will lead a fourth congressional delegation to Colombia on Feb. 29-March 2 to help promote the approval of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement. 'The three-day visit to Medellin, Colombia, will underscore how increased security has led to strong economic growth, reduced poverty and strengthened democracy in Colombia,' the secretary's office said in a statement.
   According to the Commerce Department, Colombia is the 26th-largest export market for U.S. goods. U.S. goods exports in 2007 were $8.6 billion, up from $6.7 billion the previous year. U.S. imports from Colombia were $9.4 billion, up from $9.3 billion over the same period