U.S. President George Bush hosted Peruvian President Alan García for the signing of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement on December 14 after the deal won overwhelming approval in the Senate. Bush has called on Congress to now take action on the Panama and Colombia agreements.
Peru
AS/COA hosted its second annual Latin American Cities Conference in Lima, focusing on Peru's investment climate, energy and mining policy outlook, trade policy and prospects, and APEC Peru 2008.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the U.S.-Peru Trade pact Thursday by a wide margin, paving the way for the Senate to approve the deal. A new AS/COA update outlines the house's approval.
COA's Director of Government Relations Brian Wanko writes that Congress has the opportunity to make a lasting impact on Latin America's prosperity and development by supporting free-trade agreements with Panama, Peru, and Colombia.
Robert Gates made his first trip to Latin America as U.S. defense secretary, beginning his five-country tour in El Salvador. The secretary's itinerary included stops in Colombia, Peru, Chile, and Suriname to focus on Washington's security ties in the region. A recent editorial co-authored by COA's Eric Farnsworth examines trade policy as a way to boost U.S.-Latin American relations.
Congress has begun consideration of the U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement, and a decision on its approval is expected by the end of October. A new congressional update takes a look at action on the deal, possibilities for similar agreements with Panama and Colombia, and a U.S. proposal for a new hemispheric aid initiative.
With former President Alberto Fujimori returning to Peru to stand trial for corruption and human rights abuses, AS/COA looks at his impending trial. A new update also examines the country’s overall economic performance, including potential ramifications of discontent in the mining industry.