Andean Trade Preference Act: A Step in the Right Direction?

• Published in: Georgetown journal of international law Vol. 23; no. 4; p. 987
• Main Author: Magill, Robert T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington Georgetown University Law Center 01.07.1992
• Subjects: Cocaine; Cooperation; Drug abuse; Drug addiction; Economic development; Economic growth; Foreign aid; GDP; Gross Domestic Product; International trade; Law enforcement; Legislation; Narcotics; Population; Trade policy; Trade promotion; United States > US; Latin America
• ISSN: 1550-5200

The passage of the Andean Trade Preference Act (ATPA) signaled a major shift in the US strategy toward Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, and Bolivia in the areas of economic development and international narcotics trafficking. ATPA has several goals and benefits, including: 1. It is intended to create viable alternative outlets for resources currently involved in the illegal drug economy. 2. ATPA fosters the expansion of lawful industries in the Andean region in order to broaden local tax revenues and to increase the resources available for drug interdiction efforts. 3. ATPA strengthens US commitment to the long-term economic development of the Andean nations and improves cooperation with Andean governments that is essential for US counter-narcotics policies. 4. The act indirectly contributes to the US economy through increased exports to the Andean nations. Although ATPA is not a panacea for all of the problems facing the troubled Andean region, it is a necessary step toward the long-term reduction of illegal drug production.