Fate of regional trade pact in the balance

Fate of regional trade pact in the balance    The fate of key trade pacts for the Caribbean islands and Latin America is hanging in the balance this week'at least for the short term'as the lame duck Congress considers the final actions for 2006.
   Even in the closing days of the session experts are hard pressed to predict whether Congress will act on several trade-related issues.
   That includes the status for customs duties for Peru, Colombia, Bolivia and Ecuador under the expiring Andean Trade Preference Act, as well as bilateral trade agreements with Peru and Colombia.
   Congress will also have to decide on a proposal to expand trade preference rules for the apparel industry in Haiti.
   Congress has the option of passing short-term bridge legislation, approving the new trade agreements, or simply waiting until the next session of Congress begins in 2007, with agreements like the Andean trade pact expiring in the interim.