[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 96 (Thursday, July 1, 1999)]
[House]
[Page H5183]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1015
                U.S. MISSES BOAT ON LATIN AMERICAN TRADE

  (Mr. CHABOT asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute.)
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, we have all heard the old expression, ``You 
snooze, you lose.'' An article in yesterday's Washington Times brings 
that old expression to mind. It was entitled, EU, that is European 
Union, Latin Trade Zone Doesn't Include U.S.
  It seems that while our government has dawdled, European governments 
have worked hard to cultivate trade relationships in our own backyard. 
Latin American countries and the European Union worked toward lowering 
trade barriers, and our government stands idly by.
  Trade means jobs. Trade means economic growth. Trade means a higher 
standard of living for the American people. Let us not continue to sit 
back and watch while Europe and Latin America reap the benefits of an 
aggressive trade policy. Let us work with our trading partners to tear 
down barriers and open up markets for American products around the 
world. Mr. Speaker, we can ill afford to be pushed out of the 
international trade markets. Let us get back in the game.
  Mr. DREIER. Mr. Speaker, if the gentleman will yield, I would simply 
like to congratulate the gentleman on his remarks; and I would like to 
associate myself with the gentleman's statement.

                          ____________________