U.S. to start free-trade negotiations with Colombia
The Bush administration plans to start free-trade negotiations with Colombia and possibly two other Andean countries May 18-19.
The administration notified Congress of its intent to negotiate a U.S.-Andean free-trade agreement Nov. 18.
The other Andean countries under consideration for the free-trade agreement are Peru and Ecuador.
In 2003, U.S. goods exported to Colombia were valued at $3.8 billion, according to the U.S. Trade Representative. U.S. exports to the Andean region in 2003 totaled $7 billion.