US House passes Central American trade pact - Yahoo! News

"Well we’re living here in Allentown
And they’re closing all the factories down..."

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. House of Representatives narrowly approved a free-trade agreement with Central America on Thursday, handing President Bush a hard-fought victory in difficult times for efforts to expand global trade.

The Republican-controlled House voted 217-215 in favor of the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement, or CAFTA, after a final push by Bush and top aides to win over many reluctant Republicans.

Only 15 of the House's 202 Democrats backed CAFTA, and 27 Republicans opposed it.

The agreement eliminates tariffs on U.S. exports to Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. It also locks in and expands the duty-free access those countries already have to the U.S. market.

The pact's approval came as international negotiators struggle to make progress toward a new world-trade agreement. A congressional defeat of CAFTA would dealt a heavy blow to the talks by raising questions about Washington's ability to follow through on trade deals.

Another blow to my great state...will the last manufacturing job leaving Michigan please turn off the lights? Thank you.