[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 16 (Monday, April 28, 2008)]
[Pages 563-564]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Remarks at a United States Chamber of Commerce Reception in New Orleans

April 21, 2008

    I want to thank the band for giving me a chance to relive my youth. 
[Laughter] I've had many a fine day here in New Orleans and a pretty 
good night too. [Laughter] And it's great to be back. I want to thank 
the U.S. Chamber for hosting this reception in honor of the North 
American leaders' summit between Canada, the United States, and Mexico. 
And for all of you here from Canada and Mexico, welcome to New Orleans, 
one of America's greatest cities.
    I chose to host this summit in New Orleans for a variety of reasons, 
one of which is, for centuries, this city has been a place where 
commerce and culture from across the globe have come together--one of 
the really great international cities in the United States. And once 
again, New Orleans now steps on the international scene, where it should 
be.
    I want to thank Tom for hosting the deal, and I want to thank all 
the members of the U.S. Chamber for being here tonight. I thank members 
of the North American Competitiveness Council for being here--looking 
forward to meeting with you in the morning.
    I want to thank the Governor of the great State of Louisiana, Bobby 
Jindal, and the first lady for being here. My old buddy the mayor--Mayor 
Nagin is here. Mr. Mayor, it's great to see you. We have spent some 
quality time together--[laughter]--including on the deck of the USS Iwo 
Jima--yes, nonalcohol beer for me. [Laughter]
    I thank all the State and local officials. I particularly want to 
say thanks to the Senators from Louisiana for joining us today. Mary 
Landrieu--thanks for coming, Senator. David Vitter--Senator, it's good 
to have you here. Thanks for coming. Congressman William Jefferson--
thanks for being here, Jeff. Appreciate you being here. I thank the--
thanks for coming.
    One thing is for certain: New Orleans has come a long way since 
Hurricane Katrina hit. It--and we've tried to do our part at the Federal 
level. We spent over $120 billion to help the gulf coast recover. The 
money has helped rebuild a school system, a dilapidated school system, 
that is now better than before. The money has helped improve the 
criminal justice system. The money has helped to rebuild highways. The 
money has helped to strengthen storm surge protection systems so people 
can feel comfortable living here.
    New Orleans faces immense challenges. There's still a lot of work to 
be done. But there's a lot of hope in this city. I mean, you can see it 
in the face of the teachers. You can see hope in the jobs that are being 
created. There's a lot of entrepreneurial spirit in New Orleans. You can 
see hope in the fact that people are absolutely determined to rebuild 
this city better than it was before.
    And so for all of you who have contributed to New Orleans's 
resurgence, I want to thank you on behalf of a grateful nation.
    This is an important summit. It gives three friends a chance to come 
together to discuss our commitment to security and prosperity. It's a 
chance to reconfirm the need for the three of us to work in harmony 
together for the good of our peoples. It's a chance to talk about how we 
can best protect our people and extend prosperity. And one of the best 
ways to do that is through trade.
    The people of Louisiana understand the benefits of trade firsthand. 
While many sectors of the economy were hit hard by Katrina, exports were 
a source of strength. And they continue to be in the years since. I 
don't know if a lot of people know this, but exports from Louisiana 
surpassed $30 billion in the year 2007--that would be $30 billion for 
the first time ever. And a lot of these exports come through New 
Orleans, which is a source for jobs and hope.
    And the fundamental question is, will we continue to be a nation 
that believes in free and fair trade? Canada and Mexico are our two most 
important trading partners. Since the North American Free Trade 
Agreement took effect, an agreement I strongly support, trade between 
the United States, Mexico, and Canada has more than tripled, and our 
economies have grown by more than 50 percent.
    One of the challenges for the North American Competitiveness Council 
is to find unnecessary regulations that prohibit the free flow of trade. 
And so tomorrow the leaders at the Council will come forth with specific

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recommendations. And I'm looking forward to hearing them, and I'm 
looking forward to implementing them.
    The United States has an opportunity to continue a trading agenda. 
As a matter of fact, we have an opportunity with three important 
countries: Colombia, South Korea, and Panama. Interestingly enough, all 
three of these countries are among Louisiana's top 10 foreign markets 
for exports. These agreements will be good for New Orleans's workers and 
businesses. And the mayor recognized that. He wrote a leader to our 
Speaker--wrote a letter to our Speaker, who is the leader in the 
Congress, and here's what he said: ``Each of the future free trade 
agreements would provide unique opportunities for the city of New 
Orleans to increase international economic development.''
    Unfortunately, we had a setback in a very important free trade 
agreement with Colombia. The Speaker made a decision to block the free 
trade agreement. It's unfortunate decision, and the deal is dead unless 
she changes her mind. And that's bad for American workers, and it's bad 
for our security, and it's bad for the people here in New Orleans, 
Louisiana.
    The economic argument for free trade with Colombia is very clear. 
Almost all Colombian products now enter America duty free, yet many of 
our products face steep tariffs in Colombia. Now think about that. All I 
suggest is that we level the playing field, that we be treated just like 
we treat others. Our products into Colombia face a tax, a tariff, which 
makes them more expensive. It makes it harder for our small businesses 
and farmers to be able to sell into Colombia. Yet their products come 
here virtually duty free. And so by approving this deal, it will level 
the playing field, but more importantly, it will help our entrepreneurs 
and help our workers.
    There's another cost because of congressional inaction, and that is, 
Colombia is one of our strongest allies in our neighborhood. And it's 
important to support our friends. And it's important to send a clear 
message that we stand for rule of law and democracy, which is precisely 
what President Uribe believes in. He's fighting these terrorists and 
these narcotraffickers. He has strengthened the rule of law. He's 
protecting his labor leaders. He is a strong, solid leader.
    Yet if we turn down this deal or if this deal does not go forward, 
it would send a variety of messages: One, America can't be counted on to 
stand next to its friends; two, it will embolden the voices of false 
populism in our neighborhood; and three, it will make it harder for 
President Uribe to do what is necessary to make sure Colombia is a safe 
place for people to live. I fully understand that this is a tough 
political vote for some, but it's about time America sets aside petty 
politics and focuses on doing what's right for the United States of 
America.
    So thanks for letting me come by, and thanks for hosting this very 
important meeting. I am confident the Prime Minister of Canada and the 
President of Mexico will really enjoy their stays in New Orleans. They 
will find what I have found, that it's a city not only of good food, 
good cheer, but it's a city of really fine people. God bless.

Note: The President spoke at 6:36 p.m. at Gallier Hall. In his remarks, 
he referred to Thomas J. Donohue, president and chief executive officer, 
U.S. Chamber of Commerce; Supriya Jindal, wife of Gov. Bobby Jindal of 
Louisiana; Mayor C. Ray Nagin of New Orleans, LA; Prime Minister Stephen 
Harper of Canada; and President Felipe de Jesus Calderon Hinojosa of 
Mexico.