(USA) The American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA) has urged the US Congress to approve the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement (CTPA) quickly. This important trade pact will benefit the U.S. forest and paper industry and advance the economic interests of both the U.S. and Colombia.
Eliminating tariffs and expanding access to foreign markets for U.S. products will boost the American manufacturing sector and create jobs. Colombia has been a good growth market for U.S. forest and paper products in recent years. U.S. exports of wood, pulp and paper products to Colombia topped $213 million in 2007, an increase of 22 percent over the previous year. Since 2002, exports are up 83 percent.
The opportunity for the U.S. forest and paper industry is significant in Colombia. Currently, the average Colombian import tariff on paper products is 12.5 percent and 12.3 percent for wood products. Upon implementation of the CTPA, 44 percent of U.S. paper product exports, and 69 percent of U.S. wood product exports will immediately receive duty free access to the Colombian market, while tariffs on almost all other products will be eliminated within seven years. The industry also will benefit from the overall reduction of barriers as expanded exports of U.S. agricultural and manufactured products to Colombia will increase domestic demand for paper and wood packaging materials. The CTPA will have little downside for American industry, as most Colombian exports already have duty free access to the U.S. market.
Importantly, the CTPA agreement also would establish the Environmental Affairs Council, which will facilitate the development and improvement of environmental protection, including forestry practices.
“The numbers make it clear. Opening the Colombian market to American products will only enhance the positive economic trend of the past several years,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “This agreement will lower trade barriers for U.S. forest and paper products and will promote the sustainable development and management of environmental resources in Colombia. We urge Congress to approve legislation implementing the CTPA quickly.”
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Eliminating tariffs and expanding access to foreign markets for U.S. products will boost the American manufacturing sector and create jobs. Colombia has been a good growth market for U.S. forest and paper products in recent years. U.S. exports of wood, pulp and paper products to Colombia topped $213 million in 2007, an increase of 22 percent over the previous year. Since 2002, exports are up 83 percent.
The opportunity for the U.S. forest and paper industry is significant in Colombia. Currently, the average Colombian import tariff on paper products is 12.5 percent and 12.3 percent for wood products. Upon implementation of the CTPA, 44 percent of U.S. paper product exports, and 69 percent of U.S. wood product exports will immediately receive duty free access to the Colombian market, while tariffs on almost all other products will be eliminated within seven years. The industry also will benefit from the overall reduction of barriers as expanded exports of U.S. agricultural and manufactured products to Colombia will increase domestic demand for paper and wood packaging materials. The CTPA will have little downside for American industry, as most Colombian exports already have duty free access to the U.S. market.
Importantly, the CTPA agreement also would establish the Environmental Affairs Council, which will facilitate the development and improvement of environmental protection, including forestry practices.
“The numbers make it clear. Opening the Colombian market to American products will only enhance the positive economic trend of the past several years,” said AF&PA President and CEO Donna Harman. “This agreement will lower trade barriers for U.S. forest and paper products and will promote the sustainable development and management of environmental resources in Colombia. We urge Congress to approve legislation implementing the CTPA quickly.”
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