Threat to Haiti's economy

Orlando Sentinel: This is a critical time for Haiti. Its voters elected a new president in February and a new parliament last week. That president, Rene Preval, and parliament face enormous challenges in rescuing their long-suffering people from poverty and rampant violence.
The U.S. Congress can give those new leaders a fighting chance by providing duty-free access to the U.S. market for Haitian products -- the kind of access that other Caribbean nations enjoy. Access for Haiti would create jobs and spur desperately needed investment. It would help Haitians help themselves.
Bipartisan support
Legislation that would provide duty-free access to the U.S. market for clothing made in Haiti has bipartisan support. Co-sponsors include Republican Mel Martinez and Democrat Bill Nelson, Florida's two U.S. senators.
But so far, trade preferences for Haiti have been blocked by U.S. industries that don't want the competition.