<table> </table> The future prosperity of Kansas business and agriculture is tied to worldwide expansion of trade. The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement before Congress provides tremendous opportunities for Kansas and other exporters in the United States.</p><p>Growth in U.S. agricultural exports could exceed $900 billion per year if the deal comes to pass.</p><p>Expanded growth for agriculture means expanded job growth for American workers. It takes American workers to move, store, process and transport farm products from our shores to overseas customers.</p><p>Earlier this year, Congress provided duty-free access to Colombian agricultural products shipped into the U.S. But Congress drags its collective feet when given an opportunity to provide the same benefits to American products and U.S. farmers, ranchers, supporting industries and workers.</p><p>More than 90 percent of Colombian products entering our country are duty-free. This has been true for more than 16 years, with strong congressional support.</p><p>In contrast, nearly $1 billion in tariffs have been imposed on our exports to Colombia. That practice should end.</p><p>Of the more than 9,000 U.S. companies exporting to Colombia, 7,500 are small- and medium-sized. Kansas has many of these small businesses and thousands of farmers and ranchers who can provide wheat, soybeans and high-quality beef and pork.</p><p>The U.S.-Colombian trade agreement would move our relationship from one of a one-way street to a full partnership.</p><p>This South American country ranks as the second-largest market for U.S. agriculture in the Western Hemisphere. An improved relationship with Colombia could lead to even more trade and help bolster our own strained economy.</p><p>In 2006, Kansas&#8217; global export shipments totaled $8.6 billion. That year, the state exported $26 million to Colombia. Kansas crops led the way with 32.8 percent of the total, followed by transportation equipment with 25.8 percent.</p><p>Export-supported jobs linked to manufacturing account for an estimated 6.8 percent of Kansas&#8217; private sector employment, according to the Department of Commerce.</p><p>Nearly one-sixth of all manufacturing workers in Kansas depend on exports for their jobs.</p><p>With more than 95 percent of the world&#8217;s population living outside the U.S., it&#8217;s vital to continue expansion of international trade.</p><p>The U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement has turned into a long, uphill climb, made worse by the hard line of the House leadership. Congress should take the correct action.