Senate Votes 77-18 for Peru Trade Bill

The Senate voted 77-18 Tuesday for a U.S.-Peru free-trade agreement, opening the way for expanded economic ties with that country, the Washington Post reported Wednesday.

The measure was backed by President Bush, who wants a similar deal with Columbia, the Post reported.

The first bilateral trade deal approved by Congress this year is also the first under a new Democratic formula that gives negotiators the ability to add labor and environmental issues to tariff reductions and investor protections, the Post said.

The vote followed a 285-132 House passage last month. The agreement will go into effect after the two countries adjust their respective laws to conform with the deal, the Post said.

U.S. trade with Peru is small scale, about $9 billion a year, the paper reported.