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[House Document 108-29]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]

                                     

108th Congress, 1st Session - - - - - - - - - - - - House Document 108-29

 
                NOTIFICATION TO ENTER INTO A FREE TRADE

              AGREEMENT WITH THE GOVERNMENT OF SINGAPORE

                               __________

                                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 SINGAPORE

  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 Singapore.
    The Agreement we have negotiated promotes our commitment to 
secure a level playing field and 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 
economic growth. They currently support the jobs of more than 
12 million Americans.
    Singapore is our 11th largest trading partner with total 
two-way trade in goods and services valued at $38.8 billion in 
2001. This FTA will improve opportunities for U.S. exports, 
growth, and investment, while also providing increased 
opportunities for the people of Singapore. This Agreement 
provides for substantial market access across the entire 
services sector and locks in Singapore's zero tariff rates on 
goods, including agriculture.
    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 Singapore.
    This is an agreement for the economy of the 21st century. 
Inventors, performers, authors, and creative enterprises in the 
United States and Singapore 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 exports 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.-
Singapore 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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