OregonLive.com, OR
The Central American Free Trade Agreement would expand trade with Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. The pact is seen as a step toward a broad free-trade agreement throughout the Western Hemisphere.
The agreement is on the wish list of a broad spectrum of large U.S. companies that say the deal would open doors to new markets. But human rights groups say the pact wouldn't do enough to protect labor rights and the environment in trading-partner countries. And some U.S. farmers, particularly sugar producers, say it would devastate their business.
The agreement would eliminate tariffs on many manufactured and agricultural goods and loosen some other restrictions. Businesses see Central America as a prime market for new customers.
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