[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
[November 16, 1999]
[Page 2103]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on Environmental Review of Trade Agreements
November 16, 1999

    Today Vice President Gore and I are taking two important steps to 
ensure that our efforts to expand trade reflect our strong commitment to 
promoting environmental protection worldwide. America has proved time 
and again that a strong economy and a healthy environment go hand in 
hand. The new steps I am announcing today will help ensure that we and 
other nations do our utmost to protect our environment as we work 
together to build a growing, prosperous global economy.
    First, I have signed Executive order requiring careful assessment 
and written review of the potential environmental impacts of major trade 
agreements. These reviews, with full opportunity for public input, will 
better enable us to fully integrate environmental considerations into 
the development of U.S. positions in trade negotiations.
    Second, I am issuing a declaration of principles on trade and 
environment to guide our negotiators in the new round of World Trade 
Organization negotiations that will begin later this month in Seattle. 
Through these principles, we will seek to ensure that trade rules 
continue to be support of environmental protections at home and abroad.
    I urge other WTO members to work with us to advance these principles 
when we meet in Seattle.

Note: The Executive order of November 16 is listed in Appendix D at the 
end of this volume.