[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 37, Number 23 (Monday, June 11, 2001)]
[Pages 867-868]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on the Vietnam Bilateral Trade Agreement

June 8, 2001

    Free trade and open markets are at the foundation of my 
administration's efforts to promote prosperity and opportunity around 
the world. Our free trade agenda is designed to engage our trading 
partners at the global, regional, and bilateral level and to expand 
economic integration and political cooperation. The history of the 
previous century teaches us that trade is a powerful tool for improving 
and reforming economies and opening up entire societies.
    Today I am sending to the Congress the Vietnam bilateral trade 
agreement, an important part of my administration's trade agenda. This 
agreement will increase opportunities for U.S. firms by requiring 
Vietnam to dismantle a wide range of trade barriers, open its services 
markets, and provide comprehensive protection of intellectual property 
rights. Expanding ties between the United States and Vietnam will 
continue the historic process of normalizing our relations--a process 
that began during the first Bush administration and advanced in the 
Clinton administration with the negotiation of this agreement.
    This agreement enjoys broad bipartisan support in the Congress, 
including from many Members who are Vietnam veterans. Enactment of the 
agreement will provide a solid bipartisan foundation for action on other 
trade issues.
    I recently extended the Jackson-Vanik waiver for Vietnam for one 
year, based on my belief that Vietnam is making progress on liberalizing 
its emigration statutes. My administration will continue to press for 
improvements in Vietnam's overall record on human rights and religious 
freedom.
    At the dawn of a new millennium, the United States stands ready to 
shoulder its leadership role throughout the world. Engaging other 
nations in trade is a vital part of U.S. leadership, and it is a key 
element of promoting economic growth at home and

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abroad. I urge the Congress to approve this agreement.