The Council of the Americas is a American business organization whose stated goal is promoting free trade and open markets throughout the Americas. It was founded in 1965 by David Rockefeller and a group of like-minded business people. Since that time, membership has grown to over two-hundred corporations which the Council claims represents the majority to the US private investment in Latin America.

The Council of the Americas argues that free markets and private enterprise offer the most effective means to achieve regional economic growth and prosperity. It has been an ardent supporter of free trade agreements and has been instrumental in the conception of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). The Council has also campaigned for Trade Promotion Authority, usually referred to as "fast track" which gives the president of the US authority to negotiate trade agreements that cannot be amended by Congress, only voted on yes or no. It was in effect from 1975 to 1994 and resulted in NAFTA. It was restored in 2002 by the US Trade Promotion Authority Act.

External links

• Council of the Americas website