U.S. Chamber Welcomes U.S.-Central America Trade Talks

Washington, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce welcomed today's announcement by U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick that the United States will negotiate a free trade agreement with five Central American nations.

"A commercially strong agreement will open the door to new opportunities for businesses and workers in the U.S. as well as Central America," said Chamber Vice President for the Western Hemisphere John Murphy.

"The Chamber is pushing for a comprehensive agreement that will eliminate trade barriers, protect investors and intellectual property, and raise the bar for the Free Trade Area of the Americas," added Murphy, who visited Central America in October.

Trade between the United States and Central America exceeded $20 billion in 2001. The five Central American nations - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua - constitute a larger export market for U.S. goods and services than India, Indonesia and Russia combined.

Negotiations will begin later this month and are scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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03-02