[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 35, Number 46 (Monday, November 22, 1999)]
[Pages 2392-2393]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
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

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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.