[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[April 23, 1992]
[Pages 630-631]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks at the Signing Ceremony for the Paper Market Access Agreement 
With Japan

April 23, 1992
    The President. May I thank Ambassador Kuriyama for being here with 
us today, Japan's Ambassador to the United States, and also Mike Moskow 
up here. Everybody knows him, and we're grateful to him for his 
participation in all of this.
    Today does mark a milestone for both the United States and Japan, a 
ceremony representing another step toward our two countries becoming 
equal partners in trade. The agreement I sign today is an important, 
positive development stemming from our January trip to Japan.
    And I am pleased that since January, American companies have begun 
to enjoy a more positive atmosphere for doing business in Japan. The 
broader commitment which Prime Minister Miyazawa and I made during my 
visit was the Tokyo Declaration, and an important part that was the 
Global Partnership Plan of Action, an agreement to strengthen trade 
between our two countries, all part of our efforts to make the 
relationship between us a true partnership. This is a very important 
relationship. And that all will ensure that U.S. firms have the same 
degree of access to the Japanese market that Japanese firms enjoy in the 
United States.
    The Paper Market Access Agreement will increase opportunities and 
sales for foreign firms exporting paper products into Japan. And 
hereafter, the Government of Japan will encourage its paper 
distributors, converters, printers, and major corporate users to 
increase imports of competitive foreign paper products. That official 
encouragement will open the way for America's paper industry to export 
its products into Japan's $27 billion market.
    Today's action is good for all concerned: good for the Japanese 
consumer, good for American industry, and good for the American worker. 
And it is also an important step forward in our large global trading 
system. As William McKinley said back in 1897,

[[Page 631]]

``Good trade ensures good will.'' And the partnership between the United 
States of America and Japan ensures that the hallmark of the new 
globalization of trade will be world-class quality, competitive pricing, 
and of course, excellent service.
    This alliance also recognizes that interactive partnerships like 
this one strengthen each of us and fire up the engine of economic 
growth. At the same time, it strengthens the relationship between us and 
makes the world a better, friendlier place for our children and our 
grandchildren.
    So I am delighted to be here. And I welcome all of you from industry 
and from the diplomatic corridors. And let me just say in conclusion, I 
view this relationship between the U.S. and Japan as very, very 
important. And I will do my level-best as President of the United States 
to keep it on a stable, forward-looking basis. It is essential, and it 
is in our best interest that it remain strong.
    So, Mr. Ambassador, you are entitled to equal time, or should we--
why don't you go ahead, and then----
    Ambassador Kuriyama. Well, thank you very much, Mr. President.
    The President. Thank you for being with us, sir.

[At this point, Ambassador Kuriyama spoke.]

    The President. Thank you, sir, very much. Now I will witness, if you 
all do the signing.

                    Note: The President spoke at 11:49 a.m. in the 
                        Roosevelt Room at the White House. Ambassador 
                        Takakazu Kuriyama of Japan and Deputy U.S. Trade 
                        Representative Michael H. Moskow signed the 
                        agreement.