    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2007, Book II)]
    [November 8, 2007]
    [Pages 1451-1452]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on House of Representatives Approval of a Free Trade Agreement
    With Peru
    November 8, 2007

        I am pleased that the House of Representatives today approved the
    free trade agreement with Peru with a strong bipartisan vote.
        Expanding markets for our goods and services is crucial to continued
    economic growth and job creation here in America. Through free trade
    agreements, we establish rules that ensure the opportunities and
    benefits of trade are available to our workers, ranchers, farmers, and
    service providers.
        For more than 14 years, Peru has benefited from broad access to our
    markets under the Andean Trade Preference Act. This U.S.-Peru Trade
    Promotion Agreement will help level the playing field for American
    exporters and investors. Approval of this agreement will also send a
    strong signal that we are willing to support those who share our values
    of economic freedom and democracy.
        By strengthening our trading relationships with important
    neighbors--including through our trade agreements with Colombia and
    Panama--we will significantly advance both our economic and national
    security interests. These democracies are trying to improve the lives of
    their citizens. We should embrace the strong commitment to

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    economic freedom of countries in our region and the efforts of Colombia
    to fight terrorists and drug traffickers and to strengthen the rule of
    law.
        Today's vote in the House is the first on a free trade agreement
    since my administration and the leaders of both parties in Congress
    agreed on a new bipartisan way forward.
        I encourage the U.S. Senate to quickly approve this agreement and
    for Congress then to move promptly to consideration of our free trade
    agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.