United States President George W. Bush has signed into law the DR-CAFTA Trade Agreement Implementation Act creating a free trade area that includes five Central American nations and the Dominican Republic.
In his comments, Bush congratulated the United States Trade Representatives, Robert Zoellick and Robert Portman for their efforts, and praised effusively the representatives of the various nations that will be part of the agreement, including Dominican Ambassador Flavio Dario Espinal. The signing was witnessed by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, and several legislators from both parties.
In his remarks during the signing ceremony, President Bush highlighted that the free trade agreement will level the playing field of American products with Central America and the Dominican Republic.
"As CAFTA helps create jobs and opportunity in the US, it will help the democracies of Central America and the Dominican Republic deliver a better life for their citizens," he said.
"By further opening up their markets, CAFTA will help those democracies attract
the trade and investment needed for economic growth."