Unions As Safe in Colombia As in D.C. | Daniel Griswold | Cato Institute: Commentary

Unions As Safe in Colombia As in D.C. | Daniel Griswold | Cato Institute: Commentary: "The U.S. International Trade Commission estimates the FTA would boost U.S. exports, of manufactured and farm goods, by $1 billion a year.

Most of Colombia's exports to the U.S. already enter duty-free because of the Andean Trade Preferences Act. The FTA would make Colombia's access to the U.S. market permanent, boosting investment and growth in that country.

And by reducing and eliminating Colombia's tariffs, the agreement would deliver the 'level paying field' that critics of trade are always demanding."

"Labor complaints ignore the dramatic progress that has been made under Uribe against violence of all kinds. Since he took office in 2002, the government has disarmed 30,000 paramilitary fighters and largely defeated the left-wing guerrilla movement known as FARC.

As a result, the murder rate in Colombia has been cut by 40%, and murders of union members by 80%. One study showed that union members in Colombia are actually at less risk of murder than nonunion members."