    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
    [March 5, 1991]
    [Pages 212-214]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a Briefing on Extension of the Fast Track Trade Negotiation
    Authority
    March 5, 1991

        One interrupts Carla at their own risk. [Laughter] But that gives me
    a good lead-in to express my confidence in our USTR, in our Trade
    Representative. Certainly, also, in our very able Secretary of Commerce,
    Bob Mosbacher, who is behind me; Michael Boskin, upon whom I rely for so
    much in the economic field; and Fred McClure,

    [[Page 213]]

    without whom we could not operate in terms of working with the Congress.
    So, you have four of our best here, and I hope that you've been able to
    glean from them how important we feel this Fast Track is.
        Obviously, the attention has been focused by the whole country--
    indeed, the whole world--on the Persian Gulf. But I wanted to come over
    and talk about economic growth because I am optimistic about the
    economic future of this country. And frankly, one of the things that's
    going to lead us out of the recovery [recession] is this vital export
    segment of our economy. I'm confident that we can expand exports, and
    I'm confident that we can expand economic growth generally, but we've
    got to do it through opening world markets and not through throwing up
    barriers--not through protection that we might think, short run, will
    help somebody here at home but, long run, inevitably results in a
    diminishing of the worth of this country.
        As these four have told you, our economic growth depends on free
    markets, and our trade agreements have got to open up these markets and
    provide rules for fair and free trade. I'll readily concede, and so will
    Carla and Bob, that we have further to go in terms of the fairness
    aspect. And we are going to continue to work on that. For many years,
    the Fast Track has allowed us to successfully negotiate the very
    important trade agreements in our history, reducing the barriers to
    trade and contributing to growth here and abroad.
        We are committed--this administration is committed to America's
    leadership role in the global economy and to the extension of Fast
    Track. We want to continue our active partnership with the Congress and
    with the private sector in expanding trade. Congress has a very special
    role in international trade. As business and association leaders, all of
    you, you've been tremendously helpful so far, and I want to keep this
    partnership strong. Fast Track will do this.
        It'll also give us the same bargaining power that our counterparts
    already enjoy: the ability to ensure that the agreement reached at the
    table is the same one voted on at home. Supporting Fast Track will allow
    our important initiatives for economic growth to go forward. And if a
    disapproval resolution is passed by either House, the Fast Track for all
    purposes is history; it's gone, as--I would say with that--as is our
    ability to negotiate in the Uruguay round, the North American free-trade
    agreement, and the Enterprise for the Americas Initiative. All vital,
    vital interests of the United States of America.
        So, a vote against Fast Track really is a vote against vibrant
    international trade. We're doing very, very well with Mexico. Our
    relations with Mexico have never been better. And I give great credit to
    the President of Mexico, Carlos Salinas, and to his trade people, just
    as I do to our Secretary of Commerce and to our very able Trade
    Representative. They've worked hard and closely with Mexico. And it
    would be a shame to see special interests in this country gun down the
    Fast Track and thus stop us from getting the kind of free-trade
    agreement with Mexico that is clearly in the interest of U.S.-Mexico
    relations, and I think will benefit all Americans as well.
        And clearly, the Hispanic American population revels in the newfound
    improved relations with Mexico. And I think they would have a lot at
    stake in seeing that we have a good, strong agreement with the Fast
    Track leading the way.
        We are the world's largest trader. And these exports in which many
    of you have been so active have become a vital source of strength to our
    economy. Even when the economy is weak and slow, the exports have been
    profitable and certainly leading the way.
        So, I know we're facing a tough fight on this in the Congress. I
    have pledged to you that the White House will do absolutely everything
    we can to get the message across to the Congress as to how important
    this is.
        But the bottom line is simply this: We have before us the
    opportunity to expand growth and prosperity for all Americans. We can
    look at it selfishly. We can look at it--what's in the best interest of
    the American people. And I am absolutely convinced that this Fast
    Track--it'll lead to the Uruguay round's successful conclusion, will
    lead to the Americas Initiative, and also will lead to the bilateral
    agreement with Mexico--are in our fundamental interests.

    [[Page 214]]

        So, I wanted to come over, thank you all for your very, very
    important work, and urge you to redouble your efforts as we get down to
    what will be critical votes in both Houses of the United States
    Congress.
        Thank you all very, very much.

                        Note: The President spoke at 11:22 a.m. in Room 450
                            of the Old Executive Office Building. In his
                            remarks, he referred to Carla A. Hills, U.S.
                            Trade Representative; Secretary of Commerce
                            Robert A. Mosbacher; Michael J. Boskin, Chairman
                            of the Council of Economic Advisers; Frederick
                            D. McClure, Assistant to the President for
                            Legislative Affairs; and President Carlos
                            Salinas de Gortari of Mexico.