Yesterday, November 22, marked the third anniversary of the signing of the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. Three years ago Colombia agreed to fully open up its markets to U.S. products. Yet today U.S. products sold in Colombia are still taxed at the same high rates. Since November 22, 2006, an estimated $2.4 billion in unnecessary import tariffs have been assessed against U.S. exports to Colombia (see the Colombia Tariff Ticker).

Why? Because the U.S. Congress has turned up its nose at U.S. exporters to Colombia, refusing to vote on the trade agreement.

And yet…18 years ago, Congress granted duty-free treatment to Colombian products sold in the United States (1991 Andean Trade Preferences Act). That preferential treatment is still in effect today, and was extended as recently as a year ago. Why won’t Congress give U.S. workers and businesses the same advantages it gives to Colombians?

Three years is too long. U.S. workers need jobs today. Congress can deliver by passing the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement.