The US House of Representatives has passed a Bill that extends duty-free status for a number of goods from the cocaine producing countries of South America. The option has been left open for President Bush to add more items including leather goods, footwear and petroleum products to the list of those that already have duty-free status.

The Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act incorporates Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia and is intended to provide jobs away from cocaine production as part of the US government’s efforts to fight the illicit drugs trade.