Marco Rubio: About Time Obama Backed Free-Trade Agreement with Colombia

President Barack Obama announced that he would meet with Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos on Thursday as the two nations have reached a free-trade agreement.

Approving free-trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea has been delayed long enough, and I hope todays announcement on Colombia will finally clear the way for an immediate up-or-down vote in Congress on all three deals. I urge the president to send these agreements to Congress right away, said Florida Republican U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio. These agreements will be a boon to our economy, create jobs for Floridians, and help solidify our alliances with these steadfast partners. The agreements with Colombia and Panama in particular will boost Florida businesses, workers and farmers whose livelihoods rely on exports to these countries.

While todays news is welcome, it is long overdue, added Rubio.In fact, it is several years overdue, and our competitors in China and elsewhere have seized on our missed trade opportunities. It is my sincere hope that the administrations approach to Colombia and its handling of this agreement in particular do not diminish our relationship with Americas most important ally in Latin America.