Speech #1090057337

So not only would our goods flow into these Central American countries without tariffs. but by modernizing the textile partnership between the United States and the Central American nations we save jobs in both countries and keep ourselves competitive with China. Finally. this agreement helps strengthen fledgling democracies and economies that at one time were the center of civil war. terrible unrest. terrible suffering and great poverty. Through the development of their democracies and their economies. their people are beginning to do better. and by supporting that growth we can stem both legal and illegal immigration from those nations. which we would like to do. I strongly support CAFTA. as do the majority of producers of American products from manufactured products to agricultural products. because the agreement levels the playing field for workers by immediately reducing tariffs imposed on exports to Costa Rica. the Dominican Republic. El Salvador.