[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
[December 4, 1999]
[Pages 2208-2209]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Statement on the World Trade Organization Seattle Round
December 4, 1999

    We made progress at the Seattle WTO trade meetings although 
significant differences remain. I remain optimistic that we can use the 
coming months to narrow our differences and launch

[[Page 2209]]

a successful new round of global trade talks. A successful round will 
include bringing down barriers in agriculture, manufacturing, and 
services; keeping E-commerce tariff-free; and ensuring that trade will 
lift living conditions for working people everywhere while protecting 
the environment. And as I said in Seattle, a successful WTO must be more 
open and accessible to all citizens around the world.
    I am determined to move forward on the path of free trade and 
economic growth while ensuring a human face is put on the global 
economy.