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Bush makes push for CAFTA at OAS

AFP
07/22/2005

Eric Draper / White House

President Bush meets with Chile 's Jose Miguel Insulza, left, Secretary General, Organization of American States and Raul Yzaguirre, center, former CEO of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR)

President George W. Bush pushed hard Thursday to win support for the free trade deal with Central America and the Dominican Republic, which Congress is to vote on next week.

Known as CAFTA-DR, it is Bush's most ambitious project involving Latin America at the moment. It also faces stiff opposition from many Democrats and some Republicans, and its approval is not a done deal.

"The United States House of Representatives next week ought to understand the economic wisdom of the bill and open up the market to 44 million consumers, to US businesses, farmers and US manufacturers," Bush said in remarks at the Organization of American States.

Bush urged lawmakers to "set aside partisan politics" -- though not all in his own Republican Party back it -- and adopt the trade plan. He has been lobbying lawmakers, personally trying to get the job done.

"Now I don't see how a member of Congress can go back to his or her district and say (the current law) is a good deal for America when our exports to Central America face hefty tariffs," Bush said. "By eliminating barriers to their exports from our country, CAFTA would help keep the U.S. economy growing. In other words, this is a jobs program.

This will help jobs," he added. The United States already has free trade with Canada and Mexico through NAFTA, as well as free trade with Chile.