Panama OKs free trade agreement with U.S.

[Bacchus39]

Source: AP

PANAMA CITY, Panama (AP) -- Panama's legislature ratified a free trade agreement with the United States on Wednesday amid protests by hundreds of leftists and farmers opposed to the deal.

The National Assembly's approval of the pact by an overwhelming 58-3 margin, with one abstention, came two weeks after it was signed by both governments in Washington. The agreement must still be ratified by the Democrat-controlled U.S. Congress.

"The treaty is a positive step for Panama to become an important exporter," said lawmaker Pedro Miguel Gonzales of the ruling Democratic Revolution Party.

In Washington, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab applauded the agreement's approval.



Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/americas/07/12/panama.trade.ap/index.html

[dmosh42]

1. Another BS agreement!

This is when we find out how well the 'swamp' is drained.

[Justyce]

2. Seems pointless for them to be

trying to raise minimum wage, fight for labor unions, etc, while we're still making free trade agreements. Sigh.

[conspirator]

3. The US corporations will become big exporters.Panamese will become low payed sweatshop workers n/t