John Kerry, presente!

We posted yesterday on some of the strong statements made by Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) on the Panama FTA. Before that, we noted the strong opposition of Chairwoman Louise Slaughter of the Rules Committee, and of up-and-coming members of Congress like Rep. Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), who has not organized against a NAFTA-style FTA in the past.

Today, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) followed this up with a great op-ed in today's Politico:

In Panama’s case, we have an opportunity to use the prospect of opening our vast markets as leverage to win the long-sought commitment from the Panamanian government to sign and implement a tax information exchange agreement with the United States and to bring its banking laws into compliance with international standards.

Few, if any, countries offer a higher level of secrecy than Panama. There is no requirement to disclose the beneficial owners of any corporation or trust. Despite seven years of negotiations, Panama refuses to sign a treaty with the U.S. that would require it to share tax information with American authorities. Small wonder that more than 40,000 new offshore corporations were registered in Panama from 2007 until October 2008, according to the State Department, bringing the total to more than 350,000.

...I believe in trade. But as we debate this agreement, its trade merits must be weighed against the necessity of persuading countries that cater to tax evaders, terrorists and drug lords to change the way they do business. This is an essential step in protecting our treasury and our homeland.

Also, six environmental groups sent a letter to Congress today expressing their "strong opposition" to the Panama FTA. Finally, as I write, the Senate Finance Committee is meeting now on the Panama FTA. Tune in to hear it live! Last thing I heard, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) was really grilling USTR about how the FTA would not solve the tax-haven problem.