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.