The signing of the Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) by President George W. Bush last week has evoked mixed reactions from various groups.

Speaking at the signing, President Bush said, I want to thank the Republicans and Democrats who came together to support this important agreement. The bill I'm about to sign is good for America. I'm pleased that Congress has taken a step to eliminate the barriers to America's goods and crops to 44 million customers.

I welcome the opportunity to make our nation more secure by strengthening our ties with democracies that share our belief in free markets and free government.”

Members of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) applauded the decision, extolling the benefits for US agriculture.

CAFTA-DR sets an excellent precedent for future trade agreements. It offers zero tariffs and a levelling of the playing field for US beef. With CAFTA, the US eliminates barriers for our products while providing adequate protections for the industry. Our industry’s primary goal in negotiating this agreement was to reduce all duties to zero. This agreement does just that, with eventual elimination of all duties on all US beef and immediate duty-free access for Prime and Choice beef products. We look forward to growing these new markets for US beef,” said Jim McAdams, NCBA president.

However, the US Green party called the agreement a disaster for working people in the US, Central America, and the Dominican Republic and the environmental health and safety in the signatory nations.”