Catherwood LibraryILR School

Officials from the United States and Colombia agreed to terms Thursday on amendments involving the environment and workers' rights in an effort to finalize a free trade deal. The amendments are part of an effort to complete free trade agreements with four countries before midnight Saturday, when President Bush's power to negotiate trade agreement expires under an expedited congressional review process. Democrats in Congress have mandated that the new deals, which include South Korea, Peru and Panama as well as Colombia address both the environment and workers' rights in order to be ratified.