[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1991, Book I)]
[February 5, 1991]
[Page 111]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Joint Statement Announcing Canada-Mexico-United States Trilateral Free 
Trade Negotiations
February 5, 1991

    The President of the United States, George Bush; the President of
the United Mexican States, Carlos Salinas de Gortari; and the Prime 
Minister of Canada, Brian Mulroney, announced today their intention to 
pursue a North American free trade agreement creating one of the world's 
largest liberalized markets.
    Following consultations among their ministers responsible for 
international trade, the three leaders concluded that a North American 
free trade agreement would foster sustained economic growth through 
expanded trade and investment in a market comprising over 360 million 
people and $6 trillion in output. In so doing, the agreement would help 
all three countries meet the economic challenges they will face over the 
next decade.
    Accordingly, the three leaders have agreed that their trade 
ministers should proceed as soon as possible, in accordance with each 
country's domestic procedures, with trilateral negotiations aimed at a 
comprehensive North American free trade agreement. The goal would be to 
progressively eliminate obstacles to the flow of goods and services and 
to investment, provide for the protection of intellectual property 
rights, and establish a fair and expeditious dispute settlement 
mechanism.

                                                        February 5, 1991

                    Note: This joint statement was made available by the 
                        Office of the Press Secretary but was not issued 
                        as a White House press release.