Obama praises U.S.-Latin America trade ties

President Barack Obama is escorted along a red carpet lined with military cadets as he arrives to Cartagena, Colombia, Friday April 13, 2012. Obama is in Cartagena to attend the sixth Summit of the Americas. / AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster

(AP) CARTAGENA, Colombia - President Barack Obama's challenge as he rubs shoulders this weekend with CEOs and political leaders from the Americas is convincing U.S. business that he's serious about expanding trade in the Americas and persuading Latin American leaders to once again look northward.

"Put simply, we have one of the world's most dynamic trade relationships," he planned to tell top executives gathered here Saturday during the sixth Summit of the Americas.

But playing the persuader is not an easy task. Mr. Obama faces trade competition from China, resistance from U.S. labor, a passel of thorny regional issues that could dilute any focus on trade, and now the distraction of Secret Service agents in Cartagena relieved of duty on allegations of misconduct.

President Obama will set the tone when he attends the CEO summit, a high-powered gathering that is expected to include top executives from Wal-Mart Stores Inc., PepsiCo, Yahoo and Caterpillar.

"Here in Latin America, the U.S. is the largest foreign investor, and we're the largest customer of manufactured goods from countries across the hemisphere," President Obama will say, according to prepared text released by the White House.

Still, while U.S. exports in dollar amounts have increased in the Americas, its share of the market has declined over the past decade. China, in particular, is surpassing the U.S as a trading partner with Brazil, Chile, and Peru.

In the United States, labor is already restive over a U.S. trade deal with Colombia that is awaiting final certification. The Colombian government has worked to meet the requirements of a labor rights agreement that was a condition of passage in Congress last year. The question bubbling in Cartagena was whether Obama, over the objections of U.S. union leaders, would certify that Colombia has successfully met the terms.

And trade could get lost in the discussion over Cuba's exclusion from the summit, a rising call from Latin American countries to consider legalizing drugs to ease the violence associated with narco-trafficking, and even Argentina's claims to the British-controlled Falkland Islands. Adding an embarrassing wrinkle to the visit was Friday's acknowledgement by the Secret Service that agents facing allegations of misconduct for deeds before the president's arrival had been sent home.

Secret Service confirms employees' removal

What's more, U.S. influence in Latin America has waned as countries such as Brazil and Chile gain economic stature. The U.S. can no longer buy its standing in the Americas through development assistance.

In that reality, President Obama on Saturday was appealing to the executives to work with governments to expand commerce and help improve the lives of people still living in poverty despite the region's improving economic stance.

• no previous page
• next

1/2

[mizRicki]

How much more of our dollars is he going to give to Brazil this year? another $3 Billion? He's a joke

[thechooch1]

saythereverse "You prefer the Unions place the welfare and security of air travelers at risk?" You have absolutely no idea what you are talking about! If it weren't for the Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) I would have had to fly a broken plane or into bad weather! I would have had to work dangerously long hours without proper rest. ALPA works hand and hand with the FAA to ensure safety. Post about something you have a clue about!

[sjc_1]

I would rather trade with Latin America than give money to the Chinese Communist government to help them build their armies and missile programs. Every time you buy a Chinese made product like an iPad or iPhone, you are helping fund the Communist Chinese military.

[hypnotoad72]

Guess who will be blamed when "American" corporations leave China? Not the corporations, but us... US...

[sjc_1]

Apple works through contractors that do the exploitation. There are companies in Latin American that do the same thing. Until the wealth is shared with the workers that create it, there will be major problems.

[smittyc]

If latin America wants to know what this administration thinks about Latin Americans, google the Cleveland Texas 11 year old hispanic rape case.

[Ben37221]

smittyc, you should be ashame of yourself taking the tragidy of an 11-yrs old for your own political football. You are a big part of the problem we have in this country today.

[Rick03466]

Perhaps he has already arranged for ATF using FBI paid Informants and DEA intelligence to sell the cartels some guns? Oh Wait that was Mexico ! And Mr Holder didn't know anything about that <wink wink>

[wfw3536]

Is Obama telling folks how these 3 countries with his new trade agreements disrespect union folks in their countries and how they disregard the rights of these poor working folks. Has he explained how many thousands of union jobs that will be lost because of these new agreements----------if you need proof just looks at past trade agreements and see how many jobs have been losts. Union folks are good enough to support Obama, but he still throws them under the bus.

[retm-w]

What's different, the gop has been throwing union workers under the bus since reagan.

[retm-w]

saythereverse

What do you think bush's TSA is doing to air travelers. Of course you rightwingers want everybody to work like the chinese, slave wages and no work rules as long as it doesnt affect you.

[im103mike]

The number one product imported into the US from Mexico is Marijuana. We import thousands of tons a year, its just not legal. The number one product imported from Columbia to the US is Cocaine. Marijuana and Heroin are 2 and 3. These drugs easily find their way into the US, the illegal drug pipeline is lubricated with the blood of hundreds of thousands of Mexicans, Guatemalans, El Salvadorians, Columbians, Peruvians, the list goes on and on. The real story in Cartagena should be the legalization of drugs to take out the profits that cause so much bloodshed. People are NOT going to stop using drugs, especially pot, ever. The war on drugs is LOST and the battle grounds are all south of the US border, NOT in the US. I hope every Latin American country adopts a stance that legalizes drugs and tells the US to take a hike.

[hypnotoad72]

http://greatdivide.typepad.com/across_the_great_divide/2009/06/walmart-workers-on-welfare-lets-look-for-the-spin.html

http://rwer.wordpress.com/2011/07/18/no-obama-we-dont-need-free-trade-agreements-with-panama-colombia-and-korea/

[robcph]

They had to try the cocaine before Obama to make sure it wasn't poisoned.

[hypnotoad72]

Is Obama sending it to Bush or something?

(if you're going to play petty namedropping, so can the rest of us in return...)