FL H0189

Florida Legislature urges Congress to approve Free Trade Agreements between the United States and Colombia, Panama, and the Republic of Korea

Florida exported $50.4 billion in goods in 2008 and is the second-leading U.S. exporter to Colombia and Panama, with 2007 exports to Colombia exceeding $2 billion

Free Trade Agreements would lower export barriers for U.S. companies, create jobs in Florida (128,400 manufacturing export jobs as of 2005), and expand market access particularly for agricultural exports valued at $1.96 billion in 2007

Agreements with Latin American partners would support economic stability and violence reduction in Colombia and Panama while a Korea agreement would increase bilateral trade and economic growth

Memorial directs copies be sent to the President, U.S. Senate President, House Speaker, and all Florida members of Congress