SO MUCH FOR THE MONROE DOCTRINE :

Washington's Slow Pace in Trade Talks Annoys the Chileans (LARRY ROHTER, June 25, 2002, NY Times)

The United States first began wooing Chile as a free-trade partner more than a decade ago, only to back away when it came time to commit. Now the courtship has resumed, but American negotiators are finding to their chagrin that not only are they just one of many suitors, but they may no longer even be the preferred partner.

Reflecting the new pecking order, President Ricardo Lagos went to Spain in May to sign a sweeping accord that establishes the European Union as Chile's closest economic and political ally. From start to finish, the negotiations took less than three years.

"We always thought an agreement with the United States would come before one with Europe," said Ronald Bown Fernández, president of the Chilean Exporters Association. "Europe, after all, is 15 countries trying to speak as one. But after a dozen years of promises and nothing more from the Americans, both the government and the private sector here are disillusioned."

This is humliating and shows why Fast Track Authority is vital. There's no way an American administration can negotiate a trade treaty that would get through Congress unless there's a simple up or down vote. Posted by Orrin Judd at June 25, 2002 10:03 AM