Bush Cuts Bolivia Trade Preferences for "Failure' in Drug War"

Summary:

George W. Bush’s campaign to unseat Evo Morales continues. This time it is taking the form of a mean-spirited denial of trade preferences to Bolivian exporters, a move that will cost the Andean nation hundreds of millions of dollars.

The effects will not be devastating. As Bloomberg reports here, U.S. imports from Bolivia amounted to $363 million last year, while Bolivia’s GDP was $13 billion. But it will hit the country’s elites and middle classes harder, possibly drawing them further into the orbit of secessionist forces backed by Washington.

This is a transparently imperial decision. As Bush said on announcing the move, “Bolivia has failed to cooperate with the United States on important efforts to fight drug trafficking. So, sadly, I have proposed to suspend Bolivia’s trade preferences until it fulfills its obligations.”

Latin American nations have recently shown an inclination to question such policies, especially via the UNASUR body. It will be interesting to see if they do so over this.