State should take opportunity to expand trade to Colombia

By MIKE VILLINES

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Trade is an extremely important part of California's economy, responsible for one in five manufacturing jobs in the state and pumping $10.5 billion in agricultural exports to countries around the world.

Whether it's our fertile agricultural fields in the Central Valley, the vibrant technological hubs of Silicon Valley or the several other bustling industries throughout the state, California helps power the world's economy with the goods it exports.

We must do more to ensure that California remains competitive in the global marketplace. Failing to do so could result in the loss of businesses and the jobs that come with them. That's why we must find new markets for our goods.

Fortunately, we have a prime opportunity to expand trade significantly with Colombia under a bill being considered by Congress -- the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.

Colombia is the Unites States' largest market in South America. This agreement will level the playing field for California's industries and help them to compete better with other countries that export goods to Colombia. Because of high tariffs, California only exported $321 million in merchandise to Colombia last year, less than 1 percent of the $134 billion worth of exports our state shipped worldwide.

If the agreement takes effect, California stands to gain billions in new business opportunities by removing costly tariffs that put our goods at a disadvantage and keep many Colombian consumers from buying our products.

Unfortunately, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi recently refused to allow a vote in Congress on the Colombian trade agreement. Instead of representing California's best economic interest, Pelosi is playing partisan politics.

The facts are undeniable. Exports support

jobs for hardworking Californians and sustain almost 50,000 small- and medium-sized businesses. There are 124,000 California jobs dependent upon exports.

If these workers and businesses are to compete successfully in the face of worldwide competition, they need a fair opportunity to sell the goods they make here in California to countries such as Colombia.

Establishing a free trade agreement with Columbia will open new markets for California's exports, leading to higher demand for computers, machinery and agricultural products made by Californians.

California's agricultural industry has much to gain from this agreement. Our farmers produce a tremendous array of fruits, vegetables and other foods on which the world depends. Expanding trade opportunities with Colombia will give the agricultural products produced in the United States the same duty-free access granted to Colombian products exported to the United States.

I have introduced Assembly Joint Resolution 55 to highlight the importance of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement for California's economic recovery. The resolution points out that this trade agreement will make trade with Colombia a two-way street.

Pelosi's refusal to hold a vote on the trade agreement is hurting California's efforts to become competitive, not just in Colombia but in other countries as well.

Villines, of Clovis, is the Assembly Republican leader.