Election Alters Trade Climate
Democrats Eye Environmental, Labor Clauses
By Peter S. Goodman
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, November 14, 2006; Page D01
As Democrats prepare to take control of Congress, incoming leaders are planning to insert labor and environmental protections into pending trade treaties and to demand that the Bush administration adopt similar measures in future pacts it negotiates, congressional aides and government officials said yesterday.
The Democrats plan to insert restrictive provisions into two pending trade deals with Peru and Colombia, measures that would limit duty-free access to the U.S. market for goods made in those countries if factories are found to use child labor or deny workers the right to organize unions.
Republicans have historically opposed restrictive provisions in treaties as against the interests of U.S. business and consumers. President Bush has already signed the Peru accord and is expected to sign the Colombia treaty this month. Democrats plan to take a similar approach to deals still being negotiated by the United States trade representative with South Korea, Malaysia and Panama, Capitol Hill aides said.
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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/13/AR2006111301265.html