Mack Recognizes Creation of Pacific Alliance Trade Bloc

Press Release

- Chairman Connie Mack (FL-14) today applauded the Presidents of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru for their constructive leadership in the Hemisphere. Mack stated:

"Latin America has emerged as a major player in the global economy. The United States currently has in place free trade agreements with Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru that pave the way for shared commitments to common goals that increase productivity and opportunity for each of our citizens. I look forward to seeing the benefits that can be reached for the Hemisphere through the positive and productive alliance that was formed yesterday among four key Latin American leaders."

Mack added, "the Pacific Alliance provides a stark contrast to the damaging rhetoric that we saw emanating from the annual meeting of the Organization of American States earlier this week."

Chilean President Sebastian Piñera, Peruvian President Ollanta Humala, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, and Mexican President Felipe Calderon yesterday met in Chile to ratify the Pacific Alliance trade bloc, the presidents of Costa Rica and Panama were also in attendance. The alliance accounts for more than 35 percent of Latin America's gross domestic product and more than 50 percent of Latin America's exports. The trade bloc will remove barriers not covered under existing bilateral free trade agreements, opening the way for free movement of goods, services, capital and people.

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