The Clinton Administration's first principle of electronic commerce is that the private sector should lead. We have made great progress in committing to that path. May. It linked 47 rural communities nationwide with counterparts in Latin America, producing business opportunities for both sides. The President also has directed the Secretary of Commerce William Daley and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to find other ways to help small business participate in electronic commerce. For all we've done, we must do more.
Many people are still reluctant to shop on-line for fear of being cheated.
At the same time, it must provide enough unfettered room for incentives to compete. This is a job in which we all must cooperate not just in the U.S. but throughout the Americas. And if we keep one thing in mind. First do no harm. In fact, that is a good axiom to apply to all of our hemispheric trade.