Free trade will help economy

Sunday, President George W. Bush signed his name to the Declaration of Quebec City, making the United States a member of the Free Trade Area of the Americas. Although the repercussions from this agreement will not truly be felt until it is put into effect in 2005, it is a step in the right direction of free trade among North and South American countries.\nThe FTAA, signed by 33 other leaders besides Bush, includes countries from Canada to the southern tip of South America. When it is put into effect, the agreement will form the largest free trade zone in the world, far outstripping the European Union. This agreement is necessary to bolster the world economy and secure the economic futures of generations to come.\n The basis of the agreement centers around relaxing trade borders, specifically lowering or removing trade taxes on imports in the area. The Declaration states that, "We seek to create greater prosperity and expand economic opportunities while fostering social justice and the realization of human potential," according to The New York Times.\nThe plan has several prongs listed in the Declaration. Although no concrete proposals are put into effect, the bill aims to steady the economies of all countries involved by opening up trade borders. But the plan also pledges to fight against drug traffic, illegal arms trade, organized crime and the spread of AIDS.\nPartly in reaction to protesters' complaints about possible environmental or human rights repercussions, the plan addresses these two issues. The countries involved pledge to do business in an environmentally responsible manner, preserving natural resources whenever possible. And all countries plan to increase their standards of living, decrease the number of people living at poverty level and work toward better human rights policies.\nThe world economy is becoming more and more competitive, and with other large trade unions such as the European Union prospering, the Americas are joining the trend toward globalized trade. This trade agreement will benefit American companies and Americans by making the world economy more stable and enabling U.S. companies to trade more easily with nations in North and South America. \nAlthough some say this agreement encourages American companies to ship manufacturing jobs to cheaper labor markets, this phenomenon is a reality in today's business world. American companies can best compete in international markets by taking advantage of cost-efficient resources. This will benefit the American economy as a whole, although it might hurt American workers in the short run.\nProtesters have focused on the possible harm that could come from the agreement, namely environmental damage if big business moves into undeveloped areas and human rights violations such as sweatshop labor. But in the long run, with the environmental and human rights protections now in the FTAA agreement, this trade will help bolster the economies of developing South American countries and encourage growth in American companies.\nStaff vote: 7 - 4 - 2