Associated Press | By Traci Carl | Nov. 18, 2003
MIAMI - The United States, struggling to negotiate a free-trade area that would stretch from Canada to Chile, announced Tuesday it would seek separate agreements with Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador and Colombia.
U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said the new talks, scheduled to begin next spring, do not undermine negotiations being held this week in Miami to build a Free Trade Area of the Americas.
"Some countries are willing to move more quickly, and for those who are willing to move more quickly we want to try to achieve that end," he said, adding that "it's a way that we can try to lend an overall momentum to trade."
Jorge Botero, Colombia's trade minister, said the new effort was "consistent and complementary" with negotiations for a Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Within the Americas, the United States has free-trade agreements with Canada, Mexico and Chile, and is in the process of negotiating similar pacts with Central American nations and the Dominican Republic.
Zoellick was scheduled to meet with Central American nations later Tuesday.
The largest industry group of U.S. manufacturers said Tuesday that the free-trade region must be comprehensive to benefit every country.
"The buzz around Miami today is all about balance and flexibility, and we need to start hearing more about ambition," said Frank Vargo, vice president of international economic affairs for the National Association of Manufacturers.Associated Press:
