DOING AS HE'S TOLD:

Colombia deal clears path for 3 trade treaties (Jennifer Liberto, April 6, 2011, CNNMoney)

The Obama administration on Wednesday announced a deal with Colombia to protect labor rights in that South American nation, paving the way for three different trade deals to be ratified by Congress.

The deal moves the United States a big step closer to nailing down a free trade treaty with Colombia that would immediately allow 80% of U.S. goods to be exported there duty-free, something U.S. farmers and manufacturers have long sought. Most Colombian goods are already sold duty-free in the United States.

Colombia's president, Juan Manuel Santos, will meet with President Obama on Thursday to formally announce the deal.

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