"Today's vote marks an historic achievement for the U.S. and Peruvian people.
The U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement is the foundation of an enduring
partnership with one of America’s key friends and allies in Latin America. This free trade agreement (FTA) is
the first to incorporate the enhanced labor and environmental protections set
out in the May 10 bipartisan agreement between the Administration and the House
and Senate Democratic and Republican leadership. American farmers,
ranchers, manufacturers, service providers, and their employees will at last
have preferential access to this growing market. Peru’s people
will be able to enjoy continued economic growth and greater economic and
political stability by cementing a trade relationship with the largest market in
the world,” said Ambassador Schwab.
“The conventional wisdom last fall was that the President
and Congress could not come together to make progress on a pro-trade
agenda. The Administration reached out to build on shared principles and
sort out honest differences. At the time – almost exactly one year ago – I
said that divided government means shared responsibility, and that we should
look forward to the future as partners – because the world is watching.
"Today, the hard work and risk-taking of many are bearing
fruit. I want to express my appreciation to Chairman Rangel, Ranking
Member McCrery, and Representatives Levin and Herger for their true leadership
in proving the beltway conventional wisdom wrong, showing the world that the
U.S. can lead, and rebuilding
bipartisan support for a forward-looking U.S. trade
agenda. I look forward to an equally strong and bipartisan vote as soon as
possible in the Senate, and additional successes on the Colombia, Panama, and
Korea FTAs in the near future.”
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