US Proposes Suspending Trade Benefits For Bolivia

[EFerrari]

US Proposes Suspending Trade Benefits For Bolivia


WASHINGTON -(Dow Jones)- U.S. President George W. Bush announced plans Friday to end trade preferences for Bolivia, further escalating tensions between the two countries.

Bush has proposed suspending Bolivia's participation in the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, claiming the country isn't cooperating with efforts to counter drug-trafficking, U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab said in a statement.

The proposal will be posted in the Federal Register for public comment.

The move marks a further deterioration in ties between the Bush administration and Bolivian President Evo Morales, an ally of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Bolivia and Venezuela expelled their U.S. ambassadors earlier this month, claiming U.S. support for Morales's opposition. That followed a decision by the Bush administration to add Bolivia to the list of countries not fulfilling obligations to fight drug trafficking, joining Venezuela and Myanmar.

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