[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 1, 1992]
[Pages 1054-1055]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks Following Discussions With Prime Minister Kiichi Miyazawa of 
Japan

July 1, 1992
    Mr. Prime Minister, to you and to the other members of the Japanese 
delegation, it is a real pleasure to have you back here at the White 
House.
    We've had a very successful discussion inside, one that reaffirms 
the importance of the strong relationship between our two nations. We 
discussed, of course, our global partnership. We reviewed the prospects 
for the meeting that we're both attending, next week's G-7 summit in 
Munich.
    First on our agenda was our mutual commitment to global peace and 
prosperity. I'm encouraged by what the Prime Minister told me about 
Japan's plans to stimulate economic growth. I had a chance to fill him 
in on ours. Both of us confirmed our desire for a strong and lasting 
recovery, and we also discussed the Uruguay round and the necessity of 
redoubling our efforts to increase global prosperity. This will directly 
benefit both the people of the United States and Japan, and we both want 
to see a successful conclusion of that round.
    I also told the Prime Minister that I welcome the passage of Japan's 
peace cooperation bill. That will allow Japan to participate actively in 
building a lasting peace in Cambodia and in other world trouble spots. 
We agreed to cooperate on other regional threats and problems from 
nuclear and missile proliferation concerns in North Korea to the 
resolution of the POW/MIA issue with Vietnam.
    We talked about how at Munich we can assist in assuring the safety 
of nuclear power in the former Soviet Union. We reaffirmed full United 
States support for Japan's position on the Northern Territories.
    Finally, I assured the Prime Minister of the importance of Asia to 
the United States, of our resolve to maintain our forward military 
presence in the Pacific and our appreciation for Japan's host nation 
support.
    We've made progress in resolving some of the differences between us, 
particularly with regard to our trade relationship. Over the past 6 
months, we've reached significant agreements to improve American 
industries' access to Japan's $9 billion computer market, to their $27 
billion paper markets. These agreements are very good news to the 
American worker.
    Still, I feel we have more to do. And, Mr. Prime Minister, I want to 
mention our continued interest in access to your markets for automobiles 
and auto parts, semiconductors, as well as cooperation on the super 
collider and striking down structural impediments to freer trade.
    We'll track our progress on every item identified by our action 
plan. And sir, you can be assured we will do our part to im-

[[Page 1055]]

prove our own competitiveness.
    I've made it clear, and I'll continue to make it clear, that this 
administration and the American people are absolutely committed to trade 
that is both free and fair. Protectionism simply is not the answer. The 
record is clear. Our efforts the past 3 years have substantially 
increased American exports to Japan. And I will work to support the 
efforts of America's private sector to create an export vision to open 
foreign markets that mean more American jobs.
    So we need to continue expanding, not closing, our trade relations. 
And whether it's protectionist measures in this country or in Japan, the 
result is the same thing. Protectionism punches a hole in a healthy 
economy.
    So I'm confident that the Prime Minister and I depart here today 
knowing that we do not help our respective nations by hurting each 
other. He stood for that principle for a long, long time in various 
positions that he's held in Japan. I hope that I stand for that 
principle.
    As important as our economic interaction is, I think it's also 
important for us to remember that America and Japan share three very 
important values: our support for the free market economic system, our 
love of political democracy, and our mutual interest in global peace and 
security. I am optimistic that our two nations can work closely to 
advance and protect these values in the Pacific Rim and elsewhere across 
the globe. And when these values are threatened, it's critical that our 
two nations unite. Our unity will be vital if these three key values are 
to survive and prosper in the new world that we see.
    So let me say, Mr. Prime Minister, that I believe that this new 
period in world affairs holds great promise for the American-Japanese 
relationship. And once again, it is an honor to host you here in 
Washington to reaffirm our partnership, the respect and trust between 
our people, and to welcome you as a friend.
    Thank you, sir.

                    Note: The President spoke at 4:31 p.m. in the Rose 
                        Garden at the White House.