Bob Beauprez: “I would like to highlight just a few of the reasons why I am in favor of the Central American Free Trade Agreement…”

“I would like to highlight just a few of the reasons why I am in favor of the Central American Free Trade Agreement, known as CAFTA. CAFTA is going to level the playing field for U.S. workers and farmers. Right now, the CAFTA countries have virtually open access to our U.S. market. This agreement will give Americans the same free and fair access to their markets. The day CAFTA is signed, nearly $1 billion a year in tariffs on U.S. goods goes away, making us immediately more competitive. Somewhere in this world, farmers will be producing the food and workers will be making the goods to meet the growing demand of the CAFTA nations. I want this demand to be met by American workers. CAFTA will protect existing American jobs, allow us to compete fairly for more international business and strengthen our relationships with these six developing democracies. Mr. Speaker, neighbors help each other, and CAFTA is a good neighbor treaty. I urge its adoption. ____________________”