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WASHINGTON, March 30: US President George W. Bush notified the US Congress on Friday that he will sign the US-Panama free trade agreement, in what could be a major boost to commerce before the Panama Canal is expanded. “I am pleased to notify the Congress of my intention to enter into a free trade agreement with the Republic of Panama,” Bush said in a letter to congressional leaders. The move came one day before the deadline for Bush to notify lawmakers under rules tied to the president's “fast track” authority, which binds Congress to up or down votes on trade pacts without being able to alter them.—APP
