[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 40, Number 34 (Monday, August 23, 2004)]
[Pages 1602-1603]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks in Seattle, Washington

August 13, 2004

     It's my honor to come to this vital and important United States 
manufacturing company. Boeing is a great name in American industry. Not 
only does Boeing make a great product; the Boeing Company has got great 
workers. It's been my honor to spend some time with the people who work 
here, talking about our world, talking about the need for our country to 
be confident when it comes to world trade.
     I assured the folks with whom I was talking that my administration 
is dedicated to free and fair trade. See, I believe if our country is 
treated fairly, we can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere.
     The Boeing Company competes against Airbus, which is a European 
company. Airbus was founded about 30 years ago and has received, in 
those 30 years, large Government subsidies from European nations and

[[Page 1603]]

continues to receive them. And I think those subsidies are unfair. I 
think it makes it--it's unfair to this American company that these 
European Governments continue to subsidize Airbus. And so I informed 
these good folks who work here that I've instructed U.S. Trade 
Representative Bob Zoellick to inform European officials in his 
September meeting that we think these subsidies are unfair and that he 
should pursue all options to end these subsidies--including bringing a 
WTO case, if need be. We believe in free trade--we want that free trade 
to be fair as well. And getting rid of the subsidies of Airbus will make 
the trade fair, will make the playing field level.
     I also want to say something about those residents in Florida. I 
have been in touch with the Governor and FEMA Director Mike Brown about 
the--Hurricane Charley that is hitting the coast, the western coast of 
Florida. Our prayers are with you and your families tonight. We have 
deployed resources to help. I have declared an emergency, and the 
process is now in place to aid, provide Federal aid to those who may be 
affected by this hurricane. And as I repeat, we ask God's blessing on 
those who were in the path of that hurricane.
    I thank you all very much.

Note: The President spoke at 4:28 p.m. in the Boeing Delivery Center at 
Boeing Field/King County International Airport. In his remarks, he 
referred to Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida. This item was not received in time 
for publication in the appropriate issue.