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WASHINGTON, Nov 15 (Reuters): With bigger trade initiatives sputtering, the United States, Colombia, Peru and Ecuador began a 13th round of free trade talks yesterday in the hope of reaching a deal by early next week.
The long-sought agreement would lower trade barriers and boost investment ties between the world's largest economy and the politically volatile Andean region, which supplies more than 90 per cent of the cocaine sold in the United States.
Washington hopes the pact will help in the fight against illegal drugs, while creating new US business opportunities in three countries with a total population of 84.3 million and combined economies approaching $500 billion annually.
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