A Valentine’s Day Wish for Free Trade

Bryan Riley / February 08, 2011

Americans saved more than $16 million on roses last year thanks to U.S. trade policy toward Colombia.

Under the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA), many products from Colombia are exempt from U.S. import tariffs. Colombia is the biggest supplier of cut flowers to U.S. consumers, and the ATPA exempts Colombian roses from the 6.8 percent U.S. tariff. This import-tax cut saved American rose buyers $16.6 million last year.

The current ATPA requires periodic reauthorization by Congress. This introduces an element of political uncertainty that hurts both Colombia and the United States. (more…)