[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 19 (Monday, May 19, 2008)]
[Page 710]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 8257--World Trade Week, 2008

 May 15, 2008

 By the President of the United States

 of America

 A Proclamation

    Free and fair trade helps secure a future of freedom and promise. 
During World Trade Week, we recognize the positive effects of opening 
markets around the world. Open markets play an integral role in 
America's economic progress, creating better-paying jobs, expanding 
consumer choices, and providing increased opportunities for American 
workers and employers. Free and fair trade also increases economic 
growth among our trading partners.
    My Administration is committed to expanding economic freedom 
worldwide. We will continue to seek an ambitious outcome in the Doha 
Round that will reduce and eliminate tariffs and other barriers on goods 
and open new markets for services trade. The Doha Round provides a once-
in-a-generation opportunity to advance open markets, strengthen economic 
growth, and help millions rise out of poverty.
    We also encourage the Congress to approve our pending trade 
agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Our free trade 
agreement with Colombia is important, because it will support one of our 
closest allies in the Western Hemisphere currently under assault from a 
terrorist network. Congressional approval of this agreement would make 
clear America's unshakeable commitment to advancing the benefits of free 
markets and the interests of free people.
    Today, nearly 250,000 U.S. firms export U.S. products. Ninety-seven 
percent of those exporters are small- or medium-sized businesses. The 
number of U.S. small business exporters has more than doubled since 
1992. Those businesses have surpassed a quarter of a trillion dollars in 
annual export sales.
    Free and fair trade helps reinforce our Nation's commitments to 
democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. This week and throughout 
the year, we recognize the importance of trade in promoting prosperity 
and freedom in the United States and around the world.
    Now, Therefore, I, George W. Bush, President of the United States of 
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and 
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 18 through May 24, 
2008, as World Trade Week. I encourage all Americans to observe this 
week with events, trade shows, and educational programs that celebrate 
the benefits of trade to our Nation and the global economy.
    In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this fifteenth day 
of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the 
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
second.
                                                George W. Bush

 [Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:58 a.m., May 19, 
2008]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on May 16, and it will be published in the Federal Register on 
May 20.