Bush: US Economy Slowing But Resilient (3/3)

Some lawmakers have raised major objections to the agreement, citing human rights and other concerns. But the president stressed rejecting the measure will send a bad signal to America's neighbors to the south.

"If we reject this opportunity to support a friend with good economic policy, if we turn down this free trade agreement, it will hurt our relations in South America. It will give the voices of false populism something to say. It is in our strategic interest that we support democracies in our neighborhood."

The agreement with Colombia is the first of three free trade agreements the White House wants to see clear Congress this year. The others are with Panama and South Korea.

However, the head of the Senate Finance Committee - which handles all legislation dealing with trade - has indicated he is in no rush to bring these measures up for consideration. Senator Max Baucus, a Democrat, said the Senate must first take action to help American workers who have lost their jobs as a result of foreign competition.

参考译文：

一些立法者因人权和其它所涉及内容而极力反对该协议。但是总统强调拒绝这项措施将会向美国的南部邻国传去一个坏消息。

“如果我们拒绝这个利用良好的经济政策来支持同伴的机会，如果我们拒绝这个自由贸易协定，那么就会伤害我们与南美国家的友情。不支持自由贸易协定将会给虚假的民粹主义留口舌之地，而支持邻国推行民主政治处于我们的战略利益中。”

与哥伦比亚签定的协定是白宫希望国会今年能够批准的3个自由贸易协定的第一个。其它的两个分别是和巴拿马以及南韩的协议。

但是，负责处理贸易立法的参议院财务委员会主席表示，他将不会贸然将这些措施列入考虑中。民主党参议员Max Baucus说参议院必须首先采取措施来帮助那些由于外来竞争而失业的美国工人。

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