[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 29, Number 46 (Monday, November 22, 1993)]
[Page 2393]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Exchange With Reporters Following Discussions With Prime Minister Jean 
Chretien of Canada in Seattle

 November 18, 1993

NAFTA

    Q. [Inaudible]--resolve your differences on NAFTA?
    The President. Well, I wouldn't say we resolved them all, but we had 
a very good meeting, and we agreed that our respective trade 
representatives would get together, Mr. MacLaren and Ambassador Kantor, 
and try to work through the issues in a timely fashion. And I feel 
comfortable that we've set up a good process. We've identified what the 
points of concern are, and I think we've got a good shot to work it out.
    Q. Mr. Prime Minister, can you resolve the issues now without 
completely reopening NAFTA?
    Prime Minister Chretien. That debate is going on at this time. We've 
discussed the nature of the problem and we tried to find a way to solve 
the problem. I guess we could, but I'm not sure. That's why, you know, 
we'll have to reflect on the nature of the problem, and we have only a 
few weeks to make a final decision because proclamation is for the first 
of January. But I'm confident that they seem to understand our position 
and understand the American position, too. So, yes, I'm optimistic that 
we can find a solution. The technique is something to be worked on, and 
we'll find a solution. There is always a solution to a problem.
    Q. What are the--problems?
    Prime Minister Chretien. For us, we talk about a clear definition of 
what is subsidy and what is dumping and counterbidding. We want to have 
rules on that; it's extremely important for us. So we're debating that 
at this moment, how can we find the process to solve this problem and 
discuss other issues like water and so on. We hope to find the proper 
solution in the weeks to come.

Trade With Japan and China

    Q. Mr. President can you coax China and Japan to open their markets 
to U.S. products?
    The President. We hope so. That's one of the things we're working on 
here. And in a larger sense, both Canada and the United States being the 
sort of Western partners in this Asian-Pacific economic group, we want 
very much to continue to buy from those Asian countries, and we want 
them to buy our products. We want to build a free trading relationship 
that will support the growth of Asia and support jobs in our nations. 
Both of us are very excited about it. We're happy to have this meeting 
here being hosted in North America.
    Prime Minister Chretien. We want to reassure them, too, that what is 
happening in North America at this moment, it's not a bloc that will 
become protectionist. It's very important that they understand that now 
we want to expand trade with the other nations in the Pacific, because 
there will be more wealth around the world, more jobs for the people who 
are seeking jobs--United States and Canada.

Note: The exchange began at approximately 9:15 p.m. at the Westin Hotel. 
This exchange was released by the Office of the Press Secretary on 
November 19. A tape was not available for verification of the content of 
this exchange.