http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/cafta/ en-us Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:38:13 GMT Focus Forum 15 http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380268/posts Mexico beats China in American assembly for export factories American businesses are setting up shop in Mexico instead of China. China, which was the number one location for manufacture of goods bound for the U.S., has fallen into third place. Mexico is now number one, followed by India. Several factors have converged to make Mexico an attractive place for manufacture. Daniel Silva of the Mission Economic Development Authority said: "Compared to China, Mexico offers better access to North American markets with a shorter, faster and cheaper transportation route to move products and supplies by truck, rather than over thousands of... bloggingstocks.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2380268/posts#comment Fri, 6 Nov 2009 20:38:13 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2216596/posts MANAGUA -- To offset the recent wave of factory closings and work suspensions at U.S. textile and manufacturing plants in Central America, Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega is asking the U.S. government for an economic bailout plan for Central America. Speaking at Wednesday's extraordinary presidential meeting of the Central American Integration System, Ortega went against the current of other leaders in attendance by criticizing the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement-Dominican Republic (CAFTA-DR) as being fickle and unjust. Despite the promises of CAFTA-DR, Ortega said, ``What's happening now is that they are closing U.S. investment linked to the trade agreement in Central... Miami Herald http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2216596/posts#comment Sat, 28 Mar 2009 01:57:16 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2157807/posts Manufacturing slows to lowest level since 1948, the ISM Survey showed By (AXcess News) Houston - The Institute of Supply Management (ISM) December Survey revealed that the manufacturing sector continued to show no sign of growth for the fifth consecutive month while the overall U.S. economy shrank for the third month in a row. ISM chairman of the Committee Survey Norbert J. Ore said manufacturers across the entire spectrum of companies saw a "significant decline" in activity during the month of December. "The decline covers the full breadth of manufacturing industries, as none of the industries in the sector report... axcessnews. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2157807/posts#comment Fri, 2 Jan 2009 21:39:46 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154573/posts President George W. Bush cleared the way on Tuesday for Costa Rica to formally join a regional free trade agreement between the United States, the Dominican Republic and four other Central American countries. Bush issued a proclamation that brings the pact into force between the United States and Costa Rica on January 1. "This step marks an important milestone in our relationship with Costa Rica, building on our strong economic and political partnership," U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said. Costa Rica began negotiations with the United States on the agreement in January 2003, along with Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2154573/posts#comment Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:14:07 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2002468/posts THE YEAR 2008 may enter history as the time when the Democratic Party lost its way on trade. Already, the party's presidential candidates have engaged in an unseemly contest to adopt the most protectionist posture, suggesting that, if elected, they might pull out of the North American Free Trade Agreement. Yesterday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi declared her intention to change the procedural rules governing the proposed trade promotion agreement with Colombia. President Bush submitted the pact to Congress on Tuesday for a vote within the next 90 legislative days, as required by the "fast-track" authority under which the U.S. negotiated... Washington Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2002468/posts#comment Wed, 16 Apr 2008 17:44:08 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1969878/posts HOUSTON -- It did not take long Tuesday for the Texas Department of Transportation to find out what the Houstonians at a public hearing thought about the proposed 600-mile Trans-Texas Corridor, KPRC Local 2 reported. "George Washington, Sam Houston would vomit on you people," one attendee said. Chris Zora, who opposes the plan, attended the hearing at the Arabia Shrine Center in Southwest Houston. "I'd like to see a show of hands here of anybody that approves of this corridor," Zora said. "Is there anyone in this room who approves of this corridor? Raise your hands if you approve of... Click2Houston.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1969878/posts#comment Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:37:11 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923855/posts Daniel Griswold directs the Cato Institute's Center for Trade Policy Studies and authored the new study, "Trading Up: How Expanding Trade Has Delivered Better Jobs and Higher Living Standards for American Workers," available at freetrade.org. President Bush urged Congress yesterday to pass four pending trade agreements, telling a White House audience that open markets boost economic growth, raise standards of living by creating higher-paying jobs and deliver more choice and better prices for consumers. Despite claims to the contrary by populist opponents of trade expansion, the president has the facts and decades of experience on his side. Critics of trade... Cato via New York Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1923855/posts#comment Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:03:26 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920726/posts Summary: At a Democratic debate in Philadelphia, Sen. Hillary Clinton ducked some questions and gave misleading answers to others. She falsely implied that the reason White House documents about her communications with her husband haven't been released is due to bureaucratic delays, and she avoided saying whether she would ask Bill Clinton to clear their release from the National Archives. She avoided a yes-or-no answer to whether she supports giving New York driver's licenses to illegal immigrants and at one point denied saying the idea made sense, when in fact she said less than two weeks earlier that it "makes... FactCheck.Org http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1920726/posts#comment Sun, 4 Nov 2007 11:42:43 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1915143/posts With Audio...Take a Listen.... With G. Gordon Liddy, Mike discussed the ramifications of NAFTA, and the increasing loss of American sovereignty due to that agreement as well as other agreements such as CAFTA. The NAFTA ordered Mexican truck demonstration program, according to Mike, is ill conceived and does not consider the broader implications of safety, security, and sovereignty. He also discussed an earlier article he had written about NAFTA Superhighways and the call to move toward a North American Union. Several listeners called in to discuss NAFTA and the key issues as well....... www.michaelhowe.net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1915143/posts#comment Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:22:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1911108/posts By a razor-thin margin last week, Costa Ricans approved their country's entry into the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which they've been told will bring all kinds of benefits to their economy. But nearly half of voters in that U.S.-friendly country viewed CAFTA as a bad idea. We've long supported free trade and hope that, with Costa Rica's approval, the pact will make commerce easier among the United States, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. But the growing skepticism about free trade across the Americas, including in the U.S., suggests the results have fallen short of expectations.... The Dallas Morning News http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1911108/posts#comment Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:22:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1910609/posts THE PRESIDENT: Thank you for the warm welcome. It's great to be in Miami. I've been looking for my little brother. (Laughter.) He must have finally found work. (Laughter.) Just kidding, Jeb. I thank the Center for Hemispheric Policy and the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce for sponsoring this event. And I appreciate you all coming. I appreciate the support that you give for enterprise here in South Florida. President George W. Bush stands on stage at the Radisson Miami Hotel Friday, Oct. 12, 2007, in Miami, where he delivered remarks on trade policy. Speaking on free trade in the... http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1910609/posts#comment Sat, 13 Oct 2007 02:57:55 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1910744/posts Bush: Protectionism will cost U.S. jobs By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 10 minutes ago WASHINGTON - Alarmed by slipping support for free trade even among Republicans, President Bush is arguing that protectionism will cut Americans out of chances for more — and better — jobs. Bush has launched a blitz on behalf of pending free trade pacts with four nations. He continued the push Saturday in his weekly radio address. "More exports support better and higher-paying jobs," the president said. "And to keep our economy expanding, we need to keep expanding trade." His radio address followed a... Yahoo http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1910744/posts#comment Sat, 13 Oct 2007 15:28:25 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1910579/posts Trying to jump-start his stalled trade agenda, President Bush pleaded with lawmakers on Friday to pass free trade pacts with four nations, and warned against protectionism taking root in America. In Miami, a city known as the "gateway to the Americas," Bush urged Congress to approve free trade agreements with Peru, Panama and Colombia in Latin America plus another with South Korea. The deals face uphill battles given five consecutive years of record U.S. trade deficits that critics say played a major role in the loss of more than 3 million manufacturing jobs since Bush took office in 2001. Bush... Associated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1910579/posts#comment Sat, 13 Oct 2007 00:58:54 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908577/posts SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Ricans prepared on Monday to join a controversial free trade agreement with Central American neighbors, the Dominican Republic and the U.S. after a thin majority apparently backed the pact in a national referendum. But even Sunday's vote on the Central American Free Trade Agreement did not end a yearlong battle over the agreement. Opponents said they will wait for a mandatory recount, set to begin Tuesday, before recognizing the referendum's results. The ballot-by-ballot recount is required by Costa Rican law, and can last no longer than two weeks. With 97 percent of precincts... Asssociated Press http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908577/posts#comment Tue, 9 Oct 2007 12:05:47 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908157/posts The President of Costa Rica, Oscar Arias, has said the country has given its backing to a free trade agreement with the United States. With most of the votes counted, Mr Arias said the treaty had been narrowly approved in a referendum. The treaty gives Costa Rica greater access to the US market. Opponents of the deal fear increased competition could ruin the country's successful economy and put the welfare system at risk. "The people of Costa Rica have said yes to the free trade agreement, and that for me is a sacred wish," Mr Arias said in a televised... BBC http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908157/posts#comment Mon, 8 Oct 2007 14:49:00 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908105/posts SAN JOSE: Costa Rica's president Oscar Arias declared victory Sunday in his drive to join a free trade deal with the United States, announcing on television that voters had backed it in a referendum. "The people of Costa Rica have said yes to the free trade agreement, and that for me is a sacred wish," Arias said in a televised address to the nation after Costa Ricans voted in their tens of thousands on the measure. Earlier partial results showed that with 73 per cent of votes counted, just over 50 per cent of voters said yes to the agreement... AFP via Channel News Asia http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1908105/posts#comment Mon, 8 Oct 2007 12:43:10 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1907636/posts Democracy in Central America's most stable country is rocking on its foundations. On Sunday, Costa Rica will vote on a free trade agreement with the United States. The country is so divided that everyone is worried about the future, whatever the result of the referendum. Demonstrations in every corner of Costa Rica have dominated the national debate for months. With flags bearing a heart in the colours of the national flag, protestors formed the word "No". No to CAFTA, the Central American Free Trade Agreement, which gives Central American countries a special status in economic relations with the US. Thousands... Radio Netherlands http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1907636/posts#comment Sun, 7 Oct 2007 01:25:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1907447/posts The Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement has been approved by all involved countries, including the United States, with the exception of Costa Rica, where opponents say they fear an influx of cheap imports and an affront to the nation's sovereignty. World Net Daily/michaelhowe.net http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/1907447/posts#comment Sat, 6 Oct 2007 14:56:36 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1907274/posts WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Democrats sought to reassure Costa Rican voters on Friday their country would not lose U.S. trade benefits if they rejected a free-trade agreement with Washington, following a Bush administration warning they could be at risk. "Congress is constitutionally responsible for regulating international commerce. As such, we reiterate our longstanding position that preference programs should not be conditioned on a country entering into a free trade agreement (FTA) with the United States," two senior Democrats in the House of Representatives said. House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel and Rep. Sander Levin, chairman of the Ways... reuters.com http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1907274/posts#comment Sat, 6 Oct 2007 01:18:06 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1907027/posts On Sunday, October 7, voters in Costa Rica will decide whether to join the United States-Dominican Republic-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). CAFTA would bring tremendous benefits to Costa Rica, as it has already to Costa Rica's Central American neighbors. This bright future is being jeopardized, however, by an alliance of protectionist anti-free traders in the U.S. Congress and Venezuelan president Hugo Chávez. In order to make an informed choice about joining CAFTA, voters in Costa Rica need to learn the truth behind the rhetoric.Misinformation CampaignThe massive campaign against CAFTA is captured in the lead sentence of a New... The Heritage Foundation http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1907027/posts#comment Fri, 5 Oct 2007 15:18:31 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906348/posts In response to Mary Anastasia O'Grady's Oct. 1 Americas column "Democrats vs. Central America":While I strongly disagree with The Wall Street Journal editorial page's right-wing ideology, I'll give you points for persistence. Year after year, despite all of the evidence, you continue to be a cheerleader for the unfettered free-trade policies that, while benefiting multinational corporations, have caused so much economic pain for working families here in the U.S. and our trading partners abroad.Ms. O'Grady is telling the people of Costa Rica how wonderful passage of the Central American Free Trade Agreement will be for them. The Journal said the... The Wall Street Journal http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1906348/posts#comment Thu, 4 Oct 2007 10:17:09 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1904794/posts America's only socialist senator traveled to Costa Rica last week, but it wasn't to work on strengthening ties between our two nations. Vermont's Bernie Sanders went to San José with Rep. Mike Michaud (D., Maine) to aid the local opposition to the U.S-Central American Free Trade Agreement, which has not yet been ratified by that country. The congressional visit was strategically timed. As one of seven signatories to Cafta, and the only one that hasn't made it official, Costa Rica has only until Feb. 29 to adopt ...the pact. But first it must be ratified... The Costa Rican Congress has... WSJ http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1904794/posts#comment Mon, 1 Oct 2007 12:14:15 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1904535/posts SAN JOSE, Costa Rica (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of Costa Ricans, some dressed as skeletons and holding banners, protested on Sunday against a U.S. trade pact they say will flood the country with cheap farm goods and cause big job losses. Chanting "No to the free-trade pact!" and "Costa Rica is not for sale!" protesters ranging from farmers to housewives filled one of San Jose's main boulevards to demonstrate against the Central American Free Trade Agreement with the United States. Costa Rica is the only country that has not ratified CAFTA -- which includes Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua... Reuters http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1904535/posts#comment Sun, 30 Sep 2007 20:22:40 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901701/posts Addressing the Republican Leadership Conference at the Mackinac Island Grand Hotel, United States Congressman Duncan Hunter has made trade a major issue in his candidacy for President. Hunter contends that China is illegally devaluing their currency by 40 per cent. This devaluation, according to Hunter, undercuts American production in markets around the world. According to Hunter's figures, America has lost approximately 1.8 million jobs nationwide, the Michigan state losses exceed 54,000 jobs. Hunter appears to be the only Republican candidate who is not a "free trader." He has called the loss of American manufacturing jobs a national security concern. "Our... Campaigns and Elections http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1901701/posts#comment Tue, 25 Sep 2007 03:43:29 GMT http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1896448/posts A $2 million grant approved by the United States will go towards supporting a comprehensive program of labor rights projects in six partner countries that are party to the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-Dominican Republic) signed with the United States. To be implemented by the Organization of American States (OAS)-affiliated non-profit Trust for the Americas, jointly with the OAS Department of Social Development and Employment (DSDE), the 24-month initiative involves Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The grant agreement is part of a larger United States government commitment of some $40 million per year for... h Organization of American States http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1896448/posts#comment Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:08:48 GMT