Congress Ties White House’s Hands in U.S.-Columbia Trade Agreement

The approval of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the U.S. and Colombia is becoming a never-ending soap opera. At a forum in Washington, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated that the Obama administration’s commitment to this business venture is “very strong.”

However, the final decision rests on the shoulders of U.S. lawmakers who are mostly Democrats but who have protectionist tendencies and little regard for trade in the midst of an economic crisis. As if admitting that legislative reality, an official insisted that the delay in approval is due to “internal political reasons.” Clinton’s statements only serve to confirm the same political script from the White House in the past year: diplomatic FTA negotiations with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. The administration talks about them, but it seems politically impossible to get approval from Congress.

It is virtually certain that Alvaro Uribe’s government will end on August 7 with the issue of the trade agreement still pending. Moreover, efforts are being consolidated on other geographical fronts, such as the European Union, whose FTA will be signed on Monday by the president in Madrid, during the summit of European countries with the Andean Community of Nations.

However, the frustration facing the trade initiative with the United States is immense. The Colombian government responded at the time to Washington’s requirements for better working conditions and improvements in other areas. Despite Clinton’s acknowledging that “Both Panama and Colombia have worked hard to deal with some of the questions raised,” the administration has its hands tied by Congress, even though the Democrats have a majority in both legislative houses.

That is why the Ministry of Commerce is insisting on opening new markets for the country. The effects of the commercial blockade from Venezuela have been a loud warning bell to diversify trade partners. However, bilateral trade treaties, as such, are not made overnight. For the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia, Clinton must look for a realistic timetable. Waiting patiently is a luxury that Colombian exporters can no longer afford.