Both the House of Representatives and the Senate overwhelmingly approved the Chile and Singapore Free Trade Agreements right before leaving Washington, DC for their summer recesses. These are the first two trade agreements negotiated under Trade Promotion Authority, and the first with nations in South America and Asia for the US. By a vote of 270-156 in the House, and 66-31 in the Senate, the Chile FTA sailed through the Congress first. The Singapore accord was approved by 272-155 in the House and 66-31 in the Senate. Twenty-seven Republicans voted against each agreement, and 75 Democrats voted in favor of each. These two pacts will end tariffs and other trade barriers between the US and these two countries. They also will likely serve as models for broader agreements in the future. President Bush is expected to sign both very soon, and they go into effect on January 1, 2004.
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