Congress Extends Andean Trade Pact

By James A. Morrissey, Washington Correspondent

As the deadline for renewal of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) loomed on June 30, Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law an eight-month extension of the law that gives duty-free benefits to imports from Colombia, Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. ATPA has the support of US textile manufacturers and importers of textiles and apparel.

As the act was renewed, US Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab said it has helped alleviate poverty and created opportunities and strengthened the US economic and political relationships in the participating countries. The extension permits the four countries to enjoy the trade preferences for at least eight more months, and in the case of Colombia and Peru it ensures they will not lose their ATPA benefits while work continues on their separate free trade agreements with the United States.