WASHINGTON, DC - Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles B. Rangel (D-NY) and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Sander M. Levin (D-MI) issued the following statement today regarding entry into force of the U.S. - Peru free trade agreement (FTA):
“This agreement with Peru was an important step in the development of a new policy that will spread the benefits of trade more broadly in America and abroad. This agreement includes, for the first time basic core labor standards and environmental protections, replacing the ‘enforce your own laws’ standard in those areas that prevented an effective two-way street policy on trade.
“We were pleased to meet with Peruvian President Alan Garcia when he effectively heralded the agreement as a ‘New Deal’ for international trade and announced actions to implement the new standard before Congress approved the FTA. Unfortunately, the Peruvian Congress has subsequently passed legislation including provisions inconsistent with their commitments.
“We made it clear to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) that these issues should be resolved prior to certification. Regrettably, they were not, as the Administration has moved to certify the FTA during in its last hours in office. We are confident that the Obama Administration will improve enforcement of trade agreements, including the use of the dispute settlement mechanism in the Peru and other FTAs. We look forward to advancing a new trade policy that expands and shapes trade in an era of unprecedented economic globalization."
