Senate Clears Bill Extending Trade Preference Programs

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http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?parm1=5&docID=cqmidday-000003272962

Senate Clears Bill Extending Trade Preference Programs


The Senate has sent President Obama legislation that would extend expiring trade preference programs for one year.

The bill would extend two trade agreements, the Andean trade preference program and the generalized system of preferences, until Dec. 31, 2010. Both programs are set to expire at the end of this year.

The Andean preference program provides trade benefits to Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The generalized system of preferences program offers reduced duties on varied goods from many developing countries, including Brazil.

The Andean deal does not cover Bolivia, which saw its trade preferences suspended last year due to the country’s lack of cooperation with the United States on counternarcotics efforts.

The House passed the bill by voice vote on Dec. 14.

Passage of the measure came just minutes after a Brazilian Supreme Court chief justice ruled in favor of New Jersey father David Goldman, who has fought a five-year custody battle in the country to win the release of his 9-year-old son.

Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg , D-N.J., had placed a hold on the legislation until the case was resolved.

“The Brazilian justice system has made the right decision, and I urge Brazilian authorities to ensure that the court’s decision is carried out safely and swiftly,” Lautenberg said in a statement released after the ruling.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus , D-Mont., applauded the passage of the bill and said it was a prelude to an overhaul of trade programs in 2010.