• CTV, “Canada signs free-trade agreement with Colombia“: “Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe signed a free trade agreement between the two countries while at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Lima Friday.”

• Japan Economic Newswire, “Japan, Colombia to start talks on investment pact“: “Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe agreed Saturday to launch talks on a treaty to increase protection of their bilateral investments, a Japanese official said.”

• AFP, “Bush asks US to look after ‘good friend’ Uribe“: “‘He is a strong leader. He’s a good friend. And our Congress and our government must never turn our back on a friend like Uribe,’ Bush said during a speech at an APEC summit in Lima that was his last foreign trip as US leader.”

• The Oregonian, “Keep the Faith with Colombia“: “The United States, and especially a trade-dependent state like Oregon, which sent more than $27 million in goods to Colombia last year, should welcome an improvement in the climate for selling goods to Colombia. And it should reward a friendly, effective government in Colombia for its support for American interests in South America.”

• AFP, “Chavez wins majority in key local test, opposition advances“:

“Who can say there’s a dictatorship in Venezuela?” Chavez said, in a jab at his many critics.

“A new stage is beginning. For me, as the leader of the Venezuelan socialist project, the people are telling me: ‘Chavez, keep on the same path,’” the anti-US leader said.

The polls were seen as a test for Chavez and his drive for nationalization and social projects, amid growing discontent over escalating crime, corruption and inflation.

The U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement apparently came up in the meeting between President-Elect Obama and President Bush, and now the political chatterers are arguing about who’s spinning what. ¡Tonterías!

The real, fundamental issue is whether Congress should approve the agreement. Reacting to this week’s discussions, editorialists again make the case for the economic and foreign policy benefits of passing the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

Washington Post, “Pass the Pact“:

The main economic effect of the trade agreement would be to enable U.S. producers — automakers included — to export to Colombia tariff-free. This would simply level the playing field, because 90 percent of Colombian goods already arrive in the United States tariff-free under temporary trade preferences that Congress recently renewed. With U.S. goods exports to Colombia totaling over $8 billion per year, the pact offers a nifty dose of stimulus for U.S. businesses and workers. While America stalls, Europe moves: The European Commission announced yesterday that it wants to start free-trade talks with Bogota. Why would Democrats need any deals or inducements to pass a measure that would promote U.S. foreign policy interests and create American jobs?

Los Angeles Times, “Seal the deal on Colombian trade pact“:

Resistance to the pact by labor unions and human rights organizations, both here and in Colombia, remains stiff. And with an incoming Democratic administration, the deal faces significant new obstacles. But the gamesmanship between Democrats and Republicans, unions and rights groups should not obscure one fact: The agreement is good for Colombia and good for the United States.

The pact would balance and normalize a trade relationship that is now one-way. Colombia has almost unfettered access to U.S. markets — 91% of its goods enter duty free — but U.S. products face tariffs of up to 35%. Each Caterpillar truck sold in Colombia, for example, is taxed more than $200,000. This is a hindrance to prosperity for both countries. Currently, about 9,000 U.S. businesses export to Colombia, and were this deal passed, that number would skyrocket.

Diario Las Americas, “Colombia Deserves the Ratification of the Free Trade Agreement“:

It is very difficult to understand how it is possible that the U.S. Congress and its Democratic majority have maintained a strong resistance against ratifying the Free Trade Agreement with Colombia. And it is difficult to understand this position from the fundamental point of view that Colombia, as a country and as a government, is an ally of the American government and people. The pretext that there are human rights violations in Colombia and that there is not enough protection for the lives of the trade unionists cannot stand an analysis in view of what has been happening in that country for the last several years with a President who observes an exemplary democratic conduct.

Wall Street Journal, “Obama’s Lame Duck Opportunity“:

Mr. Obama ran with union backing but has given conflicting signals about his trade priorities. He says he wants to unilaterally rewrite Nafta if Mexico and Canada decline to go along, yet he says he’s not a protectionist. Mr. Obama has also said that “now is a good time for us to set politics aside for a while and think practically about what will actually work to move the economy forward . . .” With the global economy in recession, and investors staging a capital strike, an Obama nod to approving the Colombian FTA would send a signal of reassurance around the world.

From Reuters:

WASHINGTON, Sept 19 (Reuters) - Colombia President Alvaro Uribe said on Friday that he hoped U.S. lawmakers would quickly approve a bilateral free-trade agreement signed two years ago and stalled in Congress for months.

‘We are hopeful that we can at any moment have the approval of the U.S. Congress of the Colombia free-trade agreement,’ Uribe said in a speech at the Brookings Institution.

Uribe acknowledged, in response to a question, that he talked by telephone on Thursday with Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who has been opposed to the Colombia pact.

‘It was a constructive telephone conversation,’ Uribe said, adding he needed to be prudent in answering whether Obama indicated he would be open to a vote on the pact this year.

‘I know how difficult it is to talk about politics in times of hot politics,’ Uribe said.

Congress’ handling of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, in particular the House leadership’s abandonment of ordered debate and voting, has been a low moment in congressional history, but a high point for the exercise of brute political force by organized labor. Let’s hope the equation balances out some in a post-election session.

Looks like President Bush is not going to let Congress pretend there aren’t Free Trade Agreements that need action.

From the White House:

President Bush to Welcome President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia

President Bush will welcome President Alvaro Uribe of Colombia to the White House on September 20, 2008. Colombia is a strategic ally of the United States, and this visit underscores the deep friendship and extensive cooperation between the United States and Colombia. The two leaders will discuss a range of issues, including their shared commitment to the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, continuing to reduce violence and increase peace and security in Colombia, and strengthening democracy throughout the region.

Following this:

President Bush to Welcome President Martin Torrijos of the Republic of Panama

President Bush will welcome President Martin Torrijos of the Republic of Panama to the White House on September 17, 2008. Panama is an important friend and ally of the United States. The President looks forward to discussing a range of issues with President Torrijos, including our common commitment to the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement, expanding free trade and strengthening democracy throughout the region, enhancing security cooperation, and strengthening cooperation in international fora. This visit, following President Torrijos’ visit last May, underscores the on-going deep friendship and cooperation between the United States and Panama.

The Americas Competitiveness Forum brought the presidents of Colombia, Guatemala and El Salvador to Atlanta yesterday to highlight the interconnectedness of the economies and people of North America, Central America and South America. Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez was the keynote speaker, and many top business executives were represented.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does have a good story of modest length, noting both the promotion of trade agreements by both Secretary Gutierrez and Colombia President Alvaro Uribe. Energy was also high on the agenda.

Concern about energy costs was also reflected in sessions devoted to renewables, and also to worry about the effect of global prices on small economies.

Ray C. Anderson, CEO of Atlanta-based Interface, said his goal is to create a carpet that has “not a drop of oil” by 2020.

And Elias Antonio Saca Gonzalez, president of El Salvador, asked to list his five most pressing problems, replied, “Oil, oil, oil, oil, oil.”

Canada’s message emphasized energy, as well.

OTTAWA — Industry Minister Jim Prentice touted Canada’s “stable” supply of oil and gas to an audience of American politicians and heads of industry Monday as he called for a relaxing of barriers that hinder cross-border trade.

Speaking at the Americas Competitiveness Forum in Atlanta, Ga., Prentice said freer trade is vital to economic prosperity in the Western Hemisphere.

Otherwise, he warned, there’s a risk the Americas will be left out while others prosper.

“We need to make trade logistics and border infrastructure a priority in the short term or lose opportunities to other global competitors who are better organized to facilitate trade,” he said.

Big story outside North America, though. Granted, much of the conference was conducted in Spanish.

Infolatam

Critica Uribe la creación de monopolios estatales con recursos del … La Jornada (México) - hace 3 horas Atlanta, 18 de agosto. El presidente colombiano, Álvaro Uribe, criticó la creación de “monopolios estatales” con recursos del petróleo en América Latina, … Cinco grandes problemas en Colombia, Salvador, Guatemala, EEUU Univisión Uribe defiende TLC en Foro de Competitividad El Colombiano Prensa Libre - Edición Electrónica Prensa Libre (Guatemala) La Prensa Gráfica - Prensa Libre (Guatemala) y 113 artículos relacionados »

Amity Shlaes mentions Hugo Chavez in her Washington Post op-ed cited below, an impetus to catch up to what Venezuela’s anti-American, oil-rich, aspiring-and-almost-there dictator is up to. 

• CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela is moving ahead with the nationalization of foreign-owned cement companies, President Hugo Chavez said Sunday, a day before the expiration of a 60-day period for negotiating compensation.
• SAN PEDRO, Paraguay (AP) - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez on Saturday promised Paraguay’s new leftist president a steady supply of fuel to prevent shortages that could cause civil unrest.
• MINSK, Belarus (AP) — Venezuela signed over three more oil fields to a joint venture with Belarus on Wednesday, with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez declaring that the two nations were strongly united in their resistance to “U.S. imperialism” and Washington’s “lackeys.”
• Chávez Sees Cuba as a Model (WSJ) — It is no secret that Hugo Chávez wants to be just like Fidel Castro someday. And last week he took a step closer to that goal by laying down 26 new decrees designed to eviscerate property rights and further consolidate economic power in the presidential palace. He also nationalized the third-largest bank in the country.
• Several weeks ago, Venezuela President Hugo Chávez provided free energy-saving light bulbs to some low-income residents of Houston, Texas. This magnanimous act probably gained him a few American fans. In late March of this year, he also announced his plan to fund “an energy revolution” in Venezuela.
• CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Two years ago, New Hampshire refused to accept heating oil from Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, the pro-Castro U.S. critic who once called President Bush “the devil.” But with fuel prices rising, well, free oil is free oil. With the state’s blessing, New Hampshire residents will be receiving some of the fuel this winter.

Meanwhile, Colombia President Alvaro Uribe is in Atlanta at the Americas Competitiveness Forum promoting hemispheric prosperity, markets and democracy.
 

The President heads back to Texas, the Commerce Secretary highlights trade and competitiveness in Atlanta, and the politics of energy will no doubt continue to stir.

Executive Branch: President Bush has a busy Wednesday, speaking at the VFW national convention in Orlando, remarking on Gulf Coast recovery in New Orleans, and holding a dinner with community leaders in Mississippi. Otherwise, it’s Crawford.

Secretary of Commerce Gutierrez speaks this morning at the Americas Competitiveness Forum in Atlanta, which also features a panel discussion with President Uribe of Colombia, President Saca of El Salvador, and President Colom of Guatemala. Afterwards, a news conference.

On Wednesday, Labor Secretary Chao will unveil the America’s Heroes at Work initiative at the National Press Club. Thursday, Energy Secretary Bodman is in Las Cruces, NM, for the Domenici Public Policy Conference. Randy Travis tickets still available.

Senate hearings: The Senate Agriculture Commitee has a couple of field hearings today, one in Omaha,  “Food, Feed and Fuel Production: Today and Tomorrow.” In the afternoon, it’s Rapid City, S.D., “Transforming Forest Waste to Biofuels and the Renewable Fuels.”

And the Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the Producer Price Index for July on Tuesday. Inflation will be mentioned in the news reports. More on the week’s economic stuff at Forbes.com.