Signing is risk-free at home. It lifts the lives of all our people. It spurs the process of economic and legal reform and open trade reinforces the habit of liberty that sustains democracy. The 34 countries represented here have already agreed to implement a free-trade zone by 2005. The history of our times is clear.
Progress is found in pluralism.
Modernization is found in markets. Bush has declared the Free Trade Area of the Americas a priority. Crucial to any new deal will be Bush's ability to win fast-track negotiating authority from the U.S. Congress. Bill Clinton failed to secure what the Bush administration now calls trade promotion authority. I'm confident I will get it.