Research Briefing

Obama’s Defense Secretary Supports Free Trade Agreement With Colombia That Obama Opposes

SHOT: SECRETARY ROBERT GATES YESTERDAY IN BOGOTA, COLOMBIA: “I would hope we would be in a position to make a renewed effort to get ratification of the free trade agreement… It is a good deal for Colombia; it is also a good deal for the United States.” (Julian E. Barnes, “Gates Calls For Ratification Of Colombia Free Trade Agreement,” The Los Angeles Times, 4/16/10)

CHASER: OBAMA REFUSING TO SEND COLOMBIA FREE TRADE AGREEMENT TO CONGRESS FOR RATIFICATION. “Where Colombia is concerned, this is seen most tellingly in the continuing reluctance of the Congress of the United States to approve the long-delayed free trade agreement between the two countries -- and the refusal thus far of the Obama Administration to force the Congress to face the issue by formally submitting the agreement to the Congress and scheduling a vote.” (James Bacchus, “US Risks Becoming Economic Afterthought In Latin America,” The Huffington Post, 4/14/10)