Earlier this week, Grand Rapids area congressional Representative Vern Ehlers spoke at event sponsored by the Grand Rapids and US Chamber of Commerce. The event--part of the national Chamber's "TradeRoots" series--promoted trade agreements as a means of helping Michigan businesses succeed. Additionally, according to a media report, the event promoted the passage of the US-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (Colombia FTA), which the Chamber's representative said would help businesses in the United States. The same article said, "Government and business representatives also discussed how the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will remove barriers to U.S. service providers doing business in the country; provide a secure, predictable legal framework for U.S. investors; and effectively enforce labor and environmental laws." Unfortunately, there is nothing available online about what Ehlers said specifically at the event. In the past, Ehlers has supported many similar trade agreements.
The Colombia Free Trade Agreement has been criticized by Public Citizen for being based on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and thereby replicating its flaws. Moreover, the Colombia FTA has been criticized for ignoring anti-union violence in Colombia. The AFL-CIO, one of the largest unions in the country, is opposed to the Colombia FTA and has committed to mobilizing its members against it.
