“We are open for Business”: Obama’s trip to Latin America.

by Adriana Ramos
International Relations

President Obama started today his trip to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador in an effort to persuade the Americans that his Government is intended to extend US business opportunities in the region, based on mutual respect and equal opportunities for all parties.

Nevertheless, many critics suggest President Obama’s effort will not succeed, because of the current economic recession that the US is in and the lack of interest from Congress to sign any further trade agreements, such as the case of Colombia[i] and Panama. In other words critics believe that Free Trade Agreements (FTA) will divide more AMERICA.

Americans have not yet understood the benefits of FTA, as the ones signed previously with other countries in the region such as NAFTA with Mexico and Canada.  Despite this misperception the FTA[ii] brought business opportunities for the US.

Latin America has been the fastest growing US partner; increasing more than 137% US trade exports since 1998.[iii] The FTA has help eliminate and reduce the trade barriers among the countries in Latin America.

It’s an important strategy for President Obama to approach to strong markets, as Brazil and to keep working with future partners in the region.

El Salvador is one of the countries that President Obama will visit during this trip. The President intends to cover many issues, during his visit, including those related to regional security, the war on drugs and new opportunities.

The strong increase in demand/consumption of drugs in the US, has proven that the US Government needs to continue to commitment resources to stop the conflict the growth of drug cartels throughout the region.

Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, mention during her speech at the Center of Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)[iv] “America cannot accomplish their commitment alone, we need Latin American partners, if we do not take this opportunity some other than us will”.  She emphasized in the importance of President Obama’s trip to the region “Latin America is very important for us”.

President Obama’s trip message: “We are open to Business”.