Signed in 2006 by the American and Colombian presidents, free-trading between the two countries had until now been put on hold due to Washington’s skepticism regarding Colombia’s employment law. During his visit to South America, Barack Obama pressured Colombia to make its regulation of unions more flexible, paving the way for the establishment of the free-trade agreement. The goal of the American president is simple: to double exports by 2014.

And with a potential 45 million consumers, the Colombian market represents a multitude of opportunities. The passing of these new union regulations in Colombia should finally allow the free-trade agreement to be approved by the US parliament. The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AFFA) sees this progress as a positive step towards “getting U.S. trade policy back on track for exponential growth”.