[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 16]
[House]
[Pages 22400-22401]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     PASS TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY

  (Mr. LINDER asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1-minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LINDER. Mr. Speaker, in today's increasingly global world, we 
have two choices: We can lead, or we can follow. Historically, the 
United States has led the race for global competitiveness, and free and 
fair trade has been a significant factor in our economic growth.

[[Page 22401]]

However, as we stand by and watch other nations learn from and then 
surpass our example, we are quickly falling behind and jeopardizing our 
economic prosperity.
  While America sits on the sidelines of international trade 
negotiations, the European Union has completed 27 free trade agreements 
and is negotiating another 15. While America has watched, Mexico has 
completed trade agreements with 25 countries. While President Bush has 
been without Trade Promotion Authority, other countries have assumed 
the lead in setting international standards and practices. In fact, 
there are more than 130 preferential trade agreements globally, and the 
United States is party to only two.
  Mr. Speaker, it is time for Congress to squelch this new American 
timidity with regard to trade. We must return to our tradition of 
leadership, and not endless pursuit of protectionism. We must work to 
open markets, eliminate tariffs and barriers, and ensure that our 
Nation remains at the forefront of economic success. We must pass Trade 
Promotion Authority.

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