    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1993, Book I)]
    [July 7, 1993]
    [Pages 1031-1032]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks on the Market Access Agreement and an Exchange With Reporters in
    Tokyo
    July 7, 1993

        The President. Ladies and gentlemen, I want to read a statement
    about the market access agreement that was reached. Ambassador Kantor, I
    know, has already been down here answering your questions, and Secretary
    Christopher and Secretary Bentsen are here.
        I want to try to explain why I can't take a broad range of questions
    on the G-7 summit. Under the rules of the summit, we can't discuss
    what's going on while it's going on unless we get an exemption. Since
    we've actually made an agreement on this, I can make the following
    statement.
        The breakthrough achieved today in the international trade talks is
    good news for America and good news for the world. It means more jobs
    and higher incomes for our people. While there are difficult
    negotiations ahead, today's agreement on manufactured goods breaks the
    logjam in the Uruguay round. For years, talks in that round have
    languished. G-7 leaders have emerged from these summits pledging renewed
    commitment to complete the round. Their pledges have gone unfulfilled.
    But this year, we have recaptured the momentum.
        If we can complete the Uruguay round by the end of this year, and I
    believe we can now, then this agreement will bring the largest tariff
    reductions ever. It will lower duties on 18 categories of manufactured
    goods from paper to chemicals to electronics. It eliminates tariffs
    entirely, that is, it creates global free trade for eight major sectors
    including farm implements, steels, and pharmaceuticals. This agreement
    means new jobs and new growth in the United States and in other nations.
    It proves that gov-

    [[Page 1032]]

    ernment can be a productive partner with business, helping to open
    markets and create jobs.
        Special praise is due to the European Community, to Canada, and to
    Japan, who joined with us in this effort; to our negotiator, Ambassador
    Mickey Kantor; and to the United States Congress which voted last week
    to renew my fast track authority to complete this round.
        With today's accord, I am more determined than ever to press ahead
    with the Uruguay round by the end of this year. This really can mean an
    enormous number of jobs to the American people. When we came here,
    frankly, we did not know whether we could get an agreement on market
    access for manufactured goods. It is a very, very good sign that the
    agreement was achieved not only because of the jobs that this holds for
    Americans but because of the promise it holds to actually complete the
    Uruguay round.

    G-7 Meetings

        Q. Mr. President, could you just tell us whether you're getting to
    know the other leaders and what the mood was at the meetings?
        The President. Good mood. It was a good mood. Of course, I know--I
    have spent time with several of them already. But so far it's been a
    very good mood. We had over 3 hours all alone where we just talked about
    various things. And I'm looking forward to more of this time. It's very
    valuable, actually, getting to know them because there are so many
    things we have to do together.
        Q. What about the Japanese agreement?
        Q. Do you feel, Mr. President, that they're trying to size you up,
    take your measure?
        The President. I don't know. I'm getting to know them. I'm having a
    good time.

    U.S. Leadership

        Q. Does it answer any of the questions about leadership, America's
    leadership?
        The President. Well, I think Mr. Kantor probably told you how this
    agreement came about and what the sequence of events was. But I don't
    think there's any question that our country played its appropriate role
    in getting this agreement.
        Q. Any closer to the agreement guidelines for the Japanese?
        The President. Bye.

    Note: The President spoke at 7 p.m. at the Okura Hotel. These remarks
    were released by the Office of the Press Secretary on July 8. A tape was
    not available for verification of the content of these remarks.