Two members of the Republican congressional majority from Florida turned up the heat on President Barack Obama to get serious about three free-trade agreements currently stalled in Washington.
From his perspective as chairman of the U.S. House Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, Florida Republican Connie Mack went to bat for the free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama.
Mack noted that U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk indicated on Monday that Colombia had met all labor rights' requirements and called for the Obama administration to get serious in pushing the agreements.
Now that President Santos and Colombia have successfully met the milestones in the action plan, it is vital that President Obama sends forward the Colombia, Panama, and South Korea free-trade agreements to Congress, said Mack. Despite claims they are moving ahead with the agreements, Congress has only gotten lip service from the president. Combined with side-stepping visits to our allies in Latin America on his recent travels to Latin America, President Obamas delaying tactics regarding the FTA's are hurting our economy while simply making a bad situation worse with our allies in the region.
Another Florida Republican -- U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan -- entered the fray on Friday, urging the passage of the agreements. Buchanan, Floridas only member of the Ways and Means Committee, said that the committee was poised to move on the agreements, perhaps as early as next week.
"Passage of these long-stalled FTA's would be a major win for Florida," said Buchanan, who sits on the Trade subcommittee of Ways and Means and serves as the chairman of the Panama Caucus. "Creating jobs and growing the economy are the most important issues facing us today. If we expand our exports, it will help Florida's economy as we send our goods, services and products to people around the world. In turn, this will help generate new jobs right here in our backyard."
Buchanan expressed hope that Congress could get started on the three agreements before the end of June. "Consideration of all three trade agreements is imperative if we're serious about competing in the global marketplace," said Buchanan. "We've waited long enough. The time to act is now."
A study from the U.S. International Trade Commission found that the three agreements could lead to an increased $13 billion in exports and around 250,000 new jobs in the U.S.
Buchanan and his allies note that, with Floridas location, the Sunshine States 14 seaports -- which already generate $65 billion for the state -- could profit. Port Manatee, which is in Buchanans district, is the closest American eastern port to the Panama Canal. The canal is being expanded to accommodate larger vessels from Asian countries.
"Florida faces a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform its economy by becoming a global hub for trade, logistics, service and export-oriented manufacturing activities," insisted Mark Wilson, the president and CEO of the Florida Chamber of Commerce. "The passage of the free-trade agreements will enhance our relationship and create new trade and job opportunities for the people of Florida."
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or at (850) 727-0859
