Victory for Trade Pact

House Approves Free Trade Pact - New York Times

With almost all Democrats voting against, the US House of Representatives narrowly approved the Central America Free Trade Agreement.

There is no doubt - as has been noted earlier here - that it brings the prospect of major improvement for the countries of Central America.

It is bizarre that it has been so fiercely opposed as it has. The combined economies of the Central American states is roughly the same size as the city of Tampa in Florida. But the politics of fear was much in display as Democrats and protectionist tried to defeat the treaty.

It's a small step for the world, but a most significant one for Central America.