[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 98 (Tuesday, May 20, 2008)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 29385-29386]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-1284]




                        Presidential Documents 



Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 98 / Tuesday, May 20, 2008 / 
Presidential Documents

[[Page 29385]]


                Proclamation 8257 of May 15, 2008

                
World Trade Week, 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.

[[Page 29386]]

                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. 
                <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT>
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 08-1284
5-19-08; 8:58 am]
Billing code 3195-01-P