For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 18, 2001
World Trade Week, 2001
By the President of the United States of America A Proclamation
Trade has an extraordinary impact on our Nation's economic strength and
can
be a powerful force for good in the world. Thisyear's World
Trade Week, observed in communities across the country, will showcase
the value of trade to all our citizens.
Exports have accounted for almost one-quarter of the United States
economic
growth during the past decade. We continue to be the
world's largest exporter of goods and services. From life-saving
medical devices to information technology that allows people to be more
productive, American ingenuity is bringing some of the best and most
competitive and innovative products to the world marketplace.
Across America, our exports support 12 million jobs that pay wages
higher than the national average, and high-tech jobs supported by
exports pay even
more. It is no coincidence that the longest period of
sustained economic growth in U.S. history has followed efforts to
liberalize trade, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement and
the Uruguay Round Agreement that established the World Trade
Organization. Trade also leads to more competitive
businesses,
more choices of goods for consumers, and lower prices.
Along with economic progress, open trade also helps build democracies
and spreads freedom as it reinforces the spirit of liberty by spurring
economic
and legal reforms. When we promote open trade, we promote
both economic and political freedom. Societies that open to
commerce will one day open to liberty.
World Trade Week celebrates trade as an economic and social engine for
progress with a special focus on the services sector-- the largest
sector in the private economy, providing more than 85 million
jobs. These service sector jobs involve a wide range of
industries, including banking and insurance, travel, entertainment,
telecommunications,
energy, and environmental services. We are proud that the
United States is the world's top producer and exporter of services,
exporting some $300 billion worth a year.
In addition to the significance of exporting services, export of goods
continues to be vitally important to our economic
performance. More than 20 percent of our domestic goods are
exported, and for durable goods the figure jumps to
36percent. These exports support millions of high-quality
U.S.jobs and play a key role in U.S. economic growth. However, our
ability to sustain or expand this growth will require tapping the trade
potential of the emerging economies in Asia and Latin America, as well
as bolstering our trade agreements with developed economies such as
Japan and the European Union. Strengthening our trade agreements with
these countries, not only opens their economies to U.S. goods and
services, but also leads to higher rates of foreign
investment. This investment creates growth, jobs, and the
means to buy the products we export from the UnitedStates.
The United States will work for open trade at every
opportunity. The executive and legislative branches need to
work together to provide the means to cooperate on trade
objectives. The renewal of U.S. trade promotion authority
will bolster a partnership between the executive and legislative
branches and will enhance the ability of the United States to negotiate
new trade agreements. We will work for more open trade
globally through talks in the WTO. We will work to create
afree trade zone in the Western Hemisphere by 2005. Our
commitment to open trade will be coupled with a commitment to protect
our environment and improve labor standards.
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 20 through May26,
2001, as World Trade Week. I encourage Americans to observe
this week with events, trade shows, and educational programs that
celebrate the benefits of trade to our economy.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have here unto set my hand this eighteenth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand one,and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-fifth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
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