[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,

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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.

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    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.