U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (WA – 02) released the following statement in advance of the House vote on free trade agreements for Colombia, Panama, and Korea:

“After carefully reviewing the Korea, Panama and Columbia free trade agreements and hearing concerns from a wide-range of folks, I’ve decided to vote in support of all three agreements.  

“In Washington State, trade creates jobs.  Over 86,000 jobs in Northwest Washington are directly supported by exports.  And one in three jobs are tied to international trade in our state.  The free trade agreements that I will vote for today will help Washington state small businesses and farmers export their products overseas and create jobs here at home.

“We need a forward thinking plan for long term economic growth for the U.S to help us maintain our economic leadership in the world.  I believe a vote for these trade agreements will help with that economic growth.   In the Pacific Northwest trade means jobs.

“I deeply considered the concerns that I heard from various organizations and labor groups prior to making a decision on these free trade agreement votes.  Ultimately, I decided that Congress has worked to address those concerns and that is why I will vote in favor of these agreements that will create jobs in Washington state.  

“The Korea Free Trade Agreement includes a provision that requires 55% of the components of any final product sold in the U.S. be from the U.S. or Korea. This is similar to a recent agreement Korea signed with the European Union and helps ensure that American workers will benefit the most from this trade agreement.  

“Members of Congress and the Administration have put significant pressure on Panama to improve its tax transparency regime, and Panama responded by taking significant steps to crack down on tax evaders.

“And without a significant commitment from the Colombian government to protect workers and prosecute those who wish to harm union workers, I would not support the Columbia FTA.  

“I will also vote to extend the Trade Adjustment Assistance program for workers who could be displaced because of trade.  This is an important vote to package with the trade agreements.

“After working to make these trade agreements better for Washington businesses and workers, I will vote to support the three free trade agreements and trade adjustment assistance.  A vote for these trade agreements will create jobs and help our economic growth.