About Trade
"Free and fair trade helps secure a future of freedom and promise."
President George W. Bush
World Trade Week Proclomation
May 16, 2008
News Highlights
Joint Statement by Ministers Responsible for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America
Los Cabos, Mexico (Feb. 28)—U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez is pictured with U.S., Canadian and Mexican counterparts at the SPP Ministerial meetings in Mexico. The leaders issued the following statement: “In preparation for our leaders’ meeting in New Orleans on April 21-22, we, the ministers responsible for the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) met in Los Cabos, Baja California Sur, to review progress on the five priorities identified by leaders in Montebello and to discuss cooperative approaches to common challenges and opportunities.” (Statement)
File Photo
Secretary Gutierrez to Lead Fourth Congressional Delegation to Colombia
Mexico City (Feb. 27)—Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez announced he will lead his fourth bipartisan Congressional delegation since September 2007 to Colombia. “During our visit, the bipartisan U.S. delegation will see firsthand the progress the Uribe Administration has made in labor rights, social justice and rule of law. Colombia’s government and people have remained diligent in their efforts to advance freedom and hope in their country,” Gutierrez said. The Secretary is pictured at a press conference with Members of Congress in Colombia last fall. (More)
White House Photo
President Bush Meets with Former Cabinet Secretaries and Senior Government Officials on Free Trade Agreements
Washington (Feb. 26)— President George W. Bush participates in a meeting with former Cabinet Secretaries and Senior Government Officials on Free Trade Agreements Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C. Joining the President from left are, former Defense Secretary William Cohen; former Commerce Secretary Bob Mosbacher; former Commerce Secretary Bill Daley; former White House Chief of Staff Mack McLarty; and former U.S. Trade Representative Carla Hills. (More)
Gutierrez Underlines Importance of Free Trade Agreements to Expanding Our Exports and Strengthening Our Economy
Washington (Feb. 25)—In remarks to the 2008 National Potato Council Public Policy Conference, Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez highlighted the importance of exports and opening new markets in order to promote America’s economic health. He specifically noted pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea as immediate opportunities for growth. (Remarks)
Under Secretary Padilla Discusses Trade and Investment in Central America
Washington (Feb. 22)—Under Secretary for International Trade Christopher A. Padilla discusses efforts to strengthen trade and investment ties in Central America before reporters at the Foreign Press Center. Padilla will travel to Honduras, Nicaragua and Costa Rica Feb. 25-29 to review implementation of the CAFTA-DR. Within one year of CAFTA-DR coming into force, the United States went from a trade deficit to a trade surplus with its CAFTA-DR partners. (More)
