President Bush met with former Cabinet Secretaries and senior government officials and discussed the need for pro-growth economic policies, including opening new markets for U.S. exports through free trade agreements. Open markets contribute to America's prosperity.

With exports now accounting for a larger percentage of our GDP than at any other time in our history, trade is playing an important role in supporting economic growth. Exports have reached a historic high as a share of the United States' national income, and jobs supported by goods exports pay wages 13 to 18 percent higher than the national average.

Expanding trade and investment advances the national security and the economic interests of the United States. Opening markets has helped expand democracy, strengthen the rule of law, and lift hundreds of millions out of poverty worldwide.

The President calls on Congress to help keep our economy growing by passing pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. In December, President Bush signed legislation approving the U.S.-Peru free trade agreement, which Congress passed with strong bipartisan support to expand trade and investment and create new opportunities for citizens of both nations. Congress should build on this success by approving remaining free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea to further open these important markets for U.S. industrial goods, agricultural commodities, services, and investments.

To Further Strengthen America's Economy And National Security, Congress Should Approve The Vital Free Trade Agreement With Colombia

The U.S.-Colombia free trade agreement will level the playing field and help U.S. companies that export to Colombia find new buyers and be able to compete more effectively in the Colombian market. Over 90 percent of U.S. imports from Colombia now enter our country duty-free. This agreement will provide U.S. companies and farmers with duty-free access to the Colombian market. Once implemented, the agreement will immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 80 percent of American exports of industrial and consumer goods, and it will provide significant new duty-free access for American agricultural commodities.

Colombia is our fourth-largest trading partner in Latin America and the largest market for U.S. agriculture exports in South America.

Approving the Colombia free trade agreement will reinforce democracy in Latin America by showing support for a key ally. A free trade agreement with Colombia would bring increased economic opportunity to the people of Colombia through sustained economic growth, new employment opportunities, and increased investment. This trade agreement will bring new economic opportunities to Colombia's citizens and will reinforce democracy by fighting corruption, increasing transparency, and fostering accountability and rule of law.