    [Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 42, Number 46 (Monday, November 20, 2006)]
    [Pages 2051-2052]
    [Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

    <R04>
    Remarks Following a Meeting With Chief Executive Officers of United
    States Automobile Manufacturers

    November 14, 2006

        The Vice President and members of my Cabinet, Secretary of Treasury,
    Secretary of Transportation, members of my staff, and I have just had a
    constructive and meaningful dialog with CEOs of the U.S. automobile
    manufacturers.
        First, these leaders have--are making difficult decisions, tough
    choices to make sure that their companies are competitive in a global
    economy. And I'm confident that they're making the right decisions, and
    that's good news for the American people because the automobile
    manufacturers play such a significant part of our economy and a vital
    part of our employment base.
        We've had a fascinating discussion about a lot of major issues that
    we share in common. One, of course, is rising health care costs. And I
    assured these leaders that the Government is addressing rising health
    care costs through a variety of initiatives that I think, over time, are
    going to make a significant difference in not only their cost but the
    cost to the U.S. taxpayer as well.
        We talked about our mutual desire to reduce our dependence on
    foreign oil. Obviously, as these automobile manufacturers begin to
    incorporate new technologies that will enable us to power our cars in
    different ways, it will make it easier for me to be able to tell the
    American people, we're using less foreign oil. And that's in our
    economic interests as well as in our national security interests.
        And finally, they've--these gentlemen are well aware that I'm on my
    way overseas this evening. And one of the issues I'll be talking about
    with our partners in APEC is free trade, but fair trade. And my message
    to our trading partners is: Just treat us the way we

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    treat you. Our markets are open for your products, and we expect your
    markets to be open for ours, including our automobiles.
        And so we've found a lot in common. We'll have a continuing dialog.
    It's in our interest that in Government we find out ways that we'll be
    able to work to make sure that this industry is as vibrant and solid as
    possible. And so this is the beginning of a series of discussions we'll
    have--not only with me but also with people in our Government. I really
    do want to thank you all for coming. I appreciate you coming.
        Thank you very much.

    Note: The President spoke at 2:03 p.m. in the Oval Office at the White
    House. Participating in the event were Alan Mulally, president and chief
    executive officer, Ford Motor Co.; Thomas W. LaSorda, chief executive
    officer and president, Chrysler Group; and Rick Wagoner, chairman and
    chief executive officer, General Motors Corp.