	Introduction

Since assuming office in 2001, President Bush has been a strong supporter of free trade and trade liberalization. The President has promoted trade liberalization on multiple fronts: globally, regionally, and bilaterally. The Bush Administration argues that these negotiations promote a host of U.S. domestic and foreign interests, both economic and political. Some of these concerns were central to the divisive debate in Congress this year over CAFTAâan agreement that became a proxy, in part, for more generalized concerns about America's standing in an increasingly globalized world economy. While CAFTA was approved by narrow margins in both houses, it is not clear how the outcome will affect the Administration's future free trade agreement program. Implications For Future Trade Agreements

The Bush Administration is now actively negotiating a large number of trade liberalizing agreements.
Since taking office in January 2001, President Bush has supported trade liberalization through negotiations on multiple fronts: globally, regionally, and bilaterally. During this period, Congress has approved five free trade agreements (FTAs) that the Bush Administration has negotiated and signed. The FTAs are designed to promote broad economic and political objectives, both domestic and foreign. However, the debate in Congress over the last FTA approvedâthe Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA)âwas contentious, sparking concerns about how Congress might consider future trade liberalizing agreements. This report analyses some of the challenges that became apparent in the aftermath of a divisive trade debate and how they could affect consideration of future trade agreements. This report will not be updated.