Representative
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

RE: Central America Free Trade Agreement

Dear Senator ,

Dear Representative ,

I am deeply concerned about the effects that the Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) would have on the some of the poorest people in this hemisphere. I believe that as long as rules are fair, trade can be beneficial to communities by helping promote growth and reduce poverty. But the rules in CAFTA will worsen poverty and inequality in Central America. I strongly urge you to vote NO on CAFTA.

CAFTA is the first free trade agreement the United States has negotiated with least developed countries. From a US perspective, the 35 million people in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica -- the majority of whom live in poverty -- do not represent a significant new market for US goods. But for Central Americans, CAFTA will cause a major setback for sustainable development and poverty reduction. The same is true for CAFTA's newest member, the Dominican Republic.

Significant portions of Central America's populations depend heavily on agriculture for their livelihoods, but if CAFTA is passed, small farmers in Central America will be unable to compete with US-subsidized agriculture that is dumped on their markets. Many Central Americans are ravaged by curable diseases due to poverty and inadequate health-care coverage, but CAFTA will limit access to affordable medicines by restricting competition to brand-name pharmaceuticals by generics companies. Central American countries are sorely lacking in public infrastructure, and some are highly indebted, but CAFTA will prohibit Central American governments from ensuring that foreign investment serves national development goals.

I am not opposed to expanded trade. But a US trade agreement with Central America should take into account the disparities in development and resources between the US and the region, and should allow countries the policy flexibility to place the basic needs of their citizens above those of foreign investors and US agribusiness. CAFTA utterly fails to do this, and it threatens to cause tremendous suffering for the people of Central America. I urge you to do everything you can to ensure that Congress rejects CAFTA!

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