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Broad Trade Framework Provides President Flexibility to Open Markets & Boost Economy The Bush Administration today unveiled its 2001 trade agenda, including a framework for U.S. Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) consisting of broadly supported concepts and goals designed to open markets around the world for American workers, farmers, consumers and businesses. United States Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick emphasized that the trade principles are the product of an extensive outreach effort by the Administration designed to build as broad a coalition as possible behind free trade. "President Bush set the perfect tone at the recent Quebec Summit of the Americas when he spoke about the power and benefits of free trade in improving the lives of Americans and people throughout the Western Hemisphere. Expanding U.S. access to overseas markets is critical to our economic growth, to creating jobs and for promoting peace and security throughout the world," said Ambassador Zoellick. "This Administration has worked hard to reach out and listen to many different people and organizations about our trade agenda. Today we are forwarding to Congress our trade principles and a framework to accelerate discussions on TPA and these other priorities. The President has taken the step of forwarding principles instead of draft legislation to signal his willingness to work closely with Congress to find the right formula to rebuild the bipartisan consensus on trade." "The Administration's approach to labor and environment allows for flexibility in working to achieve the goals of improving the environment and labor standards while providing the President the ability to sign good trade deals for America without compromising American sovereignty, values or slipping into protectionism," added Zoellick.
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