Montana businesses cheer trade agreements passed by Congress

Montana businesses hailed congressional passage of three trade agreements Wednesday as a long-delayed and desperately needed measure to catch up with export rivals.

Congress passed trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea that were two presidencies in the making and kept U.S. products under tariffs as competitors like Canada gained advantage by striking trade deals of their own.

"The Colombia one was very important because we used to have 70 to 80 percent market share there five years ago, but it’s been slipping," said Leonard Schock, of the Montana Wheat and Barley Committee. "If we don’t sign this one, Canadian boats are going to go by us, and the Colombians are going to get their wheat cheaper there."

By TOM LUTEY Of The Gazette Staff

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