HO-HUM, ANOTHER TRADE PACT FROM THE MAN OF STEEL:

Negotiators adopt a draft creating world's largest free-trade region (JOHN PAIN, November 19, 2003, Associated Press)

Negotiators trying to turn the Western Hemisphere into the world's largest free-trade zone adopted a draft text Wednesday that would allow countries to opt out of parts of the agreement, officials from the Brazilian delegation said.

The buffet-style draft, pushed by the Brazil and the United States, will be handed out to trade ministers from the 34 nations in the Americas, excluding Cuba, for two days of meetings starting Thursday to complete the text.

It's time to withdraw from the WTO and pursue separate agreements with friends and neighbors.

Posted by Orrin Judd at November 19, 2003 2:49 PM