"On May 14, 2012, President Obama issued a proclamation regarding implementation of the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which entered into force on May 15, 2012. The proclamation authorized changes in the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule and Rules of Origin." How does it impact business in the US?

1. The proclamation implemented the Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which means that U.S. businesses now face new trade conditions when importing from or exporting to Colombia. 2. One major change is adjustments to the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule. This can result in lower or even zero tariffs on certain Colombian goods. In practical terms, if a product previously faced a tariff rate of, say, \( r_1 \) and now faces a reduced rate \( r_2 \), then the cost saving per unit can be expressed as \[ \text{Saving per unit} = (\text{Old tariff rate } r_1 - \text{New tariff rate } r_2) \times \text{Price of the product}. \] 3. The change in Rules of Origin means that there are revised criteria for determining if a good is eligible for preferential tariff treatment under the agreement. U.S. businesses must ensure that their products meet the new requirements, which could involve: - Adjusting supply chains, - Modifying production processes, or - Improving documentation and record-keeping for compliance. 4. For U.S. exporters, the agreement can open up a larger market by: - Providing predictable tariff benefits, - Increasing the competitiveness of their goods in Colombia, and - Encouraging investment in processes that meet the updated origin rules. 5. For importers, lower tariffs mean that input costs for manufacturing and consumer goods may decrease, potentially leading to lower prices for end consumers. This can enhance the overall competitiveness of U.S. businesses that rely on Colombian imports. 6. Overall, while there are clear benefits like cost savings and expanded market opportunities, businesses must invest time and resources to understand and comply with new tariff classifications and origin rules.