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[House Document 108-30]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

108th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 
108-30
 
                NOTIFICATION TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE

                AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF CHILE

                               __________

                                MESSAGE

                                  from

                   THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

                              transmitting

  NOTIFICATION THAT THE PRESIDENT INTENDS TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE 
                 AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF CHILE

[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]

  February 4, 2003.--Message and accompanying papers referred to the 
         Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed

To the Congress of the United States:
    In accordance with sections 2103(a)(1) and 2105(a)(1) of 
the Trade Act of 2002 (the ``Trade Act''), I am pleased to 
notify the Congress of my intent to enter into a Free Trade 
Agreement (FTA) with the Government of Chile.
    The Agreement we have negotiated promotes our commitment to 
secure a level playing field and to open new opportunities for 
America's workers, farmers, businesses, and consumers in global 
trade. The United States is a party to only three out of more 
than 200 existing FTAs, leaving Americans at a competitive 
disadvantage in many markets. With the enactment of Trade 
Promotion Authority; the completion of this Agreement; ongoing 
global, regional, and bilateral trade negotiations; and the 
continued support of the Congress, the United States is 
reasserting leadership in world trade.
    United States leadership in promoting trade liberalization 
advances our national interests. Free trade promotes our values 
by encouraging openness, the rule of law, and respect for 
private property. It builds global prosperity and strengthens 
security. Free trade employs the power of markets to meet the 
needs of the poor and has helped lift millions of people out of 
poverty by putting them on the path to prosperity. In the 
extended campaign against terrorism, free trade can be an 
economic ally. By helping to create opportunity and hope in 
poorer societies, open trade counters those who would destroy 
rather than create.
    Securing open access to markets abroad is vital to the 
strength and continued growth of the U.S. economy. In the 
previous decade, exports accounted for 25 percent of our growth 
and currently support the jobs of more than 12 million 
Americans. In 2001, two-way trade of all goods and services 
between the United States and Chile totaled $8.5 billion. This 
Agreement will improve opportunities for U.S. exports, growth, 
and investment, while also providing increased opportunities 
for the people of Chile.
    In this Agreement, the vast majority of U.S. and Chilean 
goods will become duty-free immediately. Most remaining tariffs 
will be eliminated within 4 years and all tariffs and quotas 
will be eliminated over a 12-year period. Over three-quarters 
of U.S. farm goods will enter Chile duty-free within 4 years.
    The United States is a global leader in services. This 
Agreement locks in substantial market access across the entire 
services sector.
    Fair treatment of U.S. goods and services is important to 
increasing market access. This Agreement has, among other 
provisions, specific and groundbreaking customs procedures and 
transparency requirements that will promote efficiency and 
fairness. It also establishes a secure and predictable legal 
framework for U.S. investors operating in Chile.
    This is an agreement for the economy of the 21st century. 
Inventors, performers, authors, and creative enterprises in the 
United States and Chile will benefit from enhanced copyright, 
patent, trademark, trade secret, and other intellectual 
property rights protection. The Agreement also contains state-
of-the-art protections for digital products and electronic 
commerce.
    My Administration is committed to moving forward on 
multiple fronts to advance environmental protection and worker 
rights in a credible and responsible manner. This Agreement 
meets the labor and environmental objectives provided by the 
Congress in the Trade Act.
    In sum, free trade is a fundamental source of America's 
economic vitality. This Agreement will benefit the U.S. economy 
through both higher-paying jobs created by exporters and lower 
prices paid by consumers. It will strengthen U.S. ties with a 
valued economic partner and promote America's political and 
security interests in an important region.
    As called for by the Trade Act, I am sending this 
notification at least 90 days in advance of signing the U.S.--
Chile FTA. My Administration looks forward to working with the 
Congress to develop appropriate legislation to approve and 
implement this Free Trade Agreement.

                                                    George W. Bush.
    The White House, January 29, 2003.

                                
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