WASHINGTON - Ways and Means Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI) and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jim McDermott (D-WA) issued the following statements today in response to the announcement that Panama has ratified a Tax Information Exchange Agreement with the United States:
“The Panama FTA as negotiated by the Bush Administration did not require meeting the basic international worker standards," said Ranking Member Levin. “Despite our active efforts in discussions with the previous Panamanian Government to fully meet these standards - as spelled out in the May 10 agreement - they did not do so and also did not take necessary steps regarding Panama’s status as a tax haven. The Obama Administration has now worked with the new Panamanian Administration to take the necessary steps before asking action by Congress. That is the proper approach for every free trade agreement, including with outstanding issues with the Colombia FTA. Now the Administration should expeditiously and separately submit each of the Korean and Panamanian FTAs for consideration and action by Congress. And Colombia must bring its laws fully into compliance with international labor standards and address longstanding practices and problems with violence and impunity."
“Panama needed to bring its labor laws up to international standards before the trade agreement could be submitted to Congress," said Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member McDermott. “Panama has now done so - and Congress should now consider the agreement. Colombia has not done so. I encourage Colombia to bring its law and practices up to international standards so that Congress can move forward with consideration of the agreement."
