WASHINGTON, D.C. - House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) recently completed a trip to Lima to meet with Peruvian President Alan Garcia and members of the Peruvian Government to discuss the next steps in approving and certifying the US-Peru FTA. Chairman Rangel was joined on the trip by fellow Ways and Means Committee Members Sander Levin (D-MI), Chairman of the Trade Subcommittee, and Allyson Schwartz (D-PA). Together the American delegation emphasized their support for the agreement and its tremendous potential to strengthen economic and diplomatic ties with Peru.
“Our visit with President Garcia and members of the Peruvian government marked the beginning of a new way forward on international trade." said Ways and Means Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY). “During our meetings, it became clear that Americans and Peruvians share the same principle - that expanded trade must not be a race to the bottom where the basic rights of workers are ignored so that large multi-national corporations may profit. Previously, we were told that labor rights had no place in trade agreements, but the US-Peru FTA gives us an opportunity to make history so that international trade can truly reflect the views and needs of workers to raise standards of living worldwide. I was extremely pleased to hear President Garcia express such overwhelming support for the recent changes to the agreement and I look forward to making the US-Peru FTA a top priority for the Committee and the Congress when we return in September. "
During the visit, the American delegation met with representatives from government, business and labor to engage in dialogue about the unique opportunities and challenges presented by the FTA. Especially noteworthy was the joint press conference on Monday afternoon where President Garcia expressed strong support for the recent changes to incorporate key labor and environmental standards and laws into the agreement. President referred to the FTA as an historic “New Deal" for workers and countries, marking the beginning of a great transformation in how governments should approach world trade.
