    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 2, 1993]
    [Pages 989-990]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Letter to Congressional Leaders on Trade With Romania
    July 2, 1993

    Dear Mr. Speaker:  (Dear Mr. President:)
        In accordance with section 407 of the Trade Act of 1974 (Public Law
    93-618, January 3, 1975; 88 Stat. 1978), as amended (the ``Trade Act''),
    I am transmitting a copy of a proclamation that extends
    nondiscriminatory treatment to the products of Romania. I also enclose
    the text of the ``Agreement on Trade Relations Between the Government of
    the United States of America and the Government of Romania,'' including
    exchanges of letters that form an integral part of the Agreement, which
    was signed on April 3, 1992, and which is included as an annex to the
    proclamation.
        The Agreement will provide a nondiscriminatory framework for our
    bilateral trade relations and thus strengthen both economic and
    political relations between the United States and Romania. Conclusion of
    this Agreement is an important step we can take to provide greater
    economic benefits to both countries. It will also give further impetus
    to the progress we have made in our overall diplomatic relations since
    last year and help to reinforce political and economic reform in
    Romania. In that context, the United States is encouraging Romania to
    continue to strive for a democratic, pluralistic society, particularly
    through the conduct of early, free, and fair national elections.
        I believe that the Agreement is consistent with both the letter and
    the spirit of the Trade Act. It provides for mutual extension of
    nondiscriminatory tariff treatment while seeking to ensure overall
    reciprocity of economic benefits. It includes safeguard arrangements to
    ensure that our trade with Romania will grow without causing disruption
    to the U.S. market and consequent injury to domestic firms or loss of
    jobs for American workers.
        The Agreement also confirms and expands for American businesses
    certain basic rights in conducting commercial transactions both within
    Romania and with Romanian nationals and business entities. Other
    provisions include those dealing with settlement of commercial disputes,
    financial transactions, and government commercial offices. Through this
    Agreement, Romania also undertakes obligations to modernize and upgrade
    very substantially its protection of intellectual property rights. Once
    fully implemented, the Romanian intellectual property regime will be on
    a par with that of our principal industrialized trading partners. This
    Agreement will not alter U.S. law or practice with respect to the
    protection of intellectual property.
        On August 17, 1991, President Bush waived

    [[Page 990]]

    application of subsections (a) and (b) of section 402 of the Trade Act
    to Romania. He determined that this waiver will substantially promote
    the objectives of section 402, and, pursuant to section 402(c)(2) of the
    Trade Act, notified the Congress that he had received assurances that
    the emigration practices of Romania will henceforth lead substantially
    to achievement of those objectives.
        I urge that the Congress act as soon as possible to approve the
    ``Agreement on Trade Relations Between the Government of the United
    States of America and the Government of Romania'' and the proclamation
    extending nondiscriminatory treatment to products of Romania by
    enactment of a joint resolution referred to in section 151 of the Trade
    Act.
        Sincerely,

                                                          William J. Clinton

    Note: Identical letters were sent to Thomas S. Foley, Speaker of the
    House of Representatives, and Albert Gore, Jr., President of the Senate.
    The proclamation and related Presidential determination are listed in
    Appendix D at the end of this volume. The agreement was published in the
    Federal Register on July 7.