It lifts the lives of all our people. The 34 countries represented here have already agreed to implement a free-trade zone by 2005. Bush had wanted to move the start-up date to 2003 but there is no chance of a breakthrough at this summit. Bush said his administration will work for free trade at every opportunity. The history of our times is clear.
Progress is found in pluralism.
Bush has declared the Free Trade Area of the Americas a priority. His fellow leaders are skeptical about what the United States is prepared to bring to the table. 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. Without it, any hemispheric trade pact is almost sure to perish before it,s produced and the new president,s credibility will suffer a blow.