[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000, Book II)] [July 18, 2000] [Pages 1439-1440] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]Statement on the Japan-United States Agreement on Interconnection Rates July 18, 2000 This important agreement on interconnection rates will help further reduce regulatory barriers to trade between the United States and Japan. It will level the playing field for America's cutting edge technologies and increase the number of Japanese consumers connected to the Internet. It's a win-win for the United States and Japan and represents an important step as we prepare to discuss the impact of information technology on the global economy at the G-7/G-8 summit. [[Page 1440]]