U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON : 

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19–011 2003

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

FEBRUARY 4, 2003.—Message and accompanying papers referred to the 

Committee on Ways and Means and ordered to be printed


E:\Seals\Congress.#13
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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. 

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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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