Statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza
Rice:
(begin text)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
November 8, 2007
House of Representatives Passage
of the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
I am very pleased by the House of Representatives’
strong bipartisan approval of the Peru Trade Promotion Agreement.
The Peru Trade Promotion Agreement’s mutual benefits
are clear. It benefits U.S. workers and farmers by giving
our products the same treatment in Peru that Peru’s
exports enjoy in the United States. It helps Peru alleviate
poverty by creating jobs and economic opportunities, sharing
with the people of Peru the benefits of their democracy
and open markets. Through the benefits of two-way trade,
this agreement will reinforce the foundation of our deep
and strong relationship. The House of Representatives’
strong vote for this agreement demonstrates that the United
States remains an active and committed partner in the hemisphere.
I look forward to a Senate vote in the near
future, and urge Congress to approve the pending trade agreements
with Colombia, Panama and South Korea.
(end text)
Statement by the President:
(begin text)
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
(Houston, Texas)
November 8, 2007
STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
I am pleased that the House of Representatives
today approved the free trade agreement with Peru with a
strong bipartisan vote.
Expanding markets for our goods and services
is crucial to continued economic growth and job creation
here in America. Through free trade agreements, we establish
rules that ensure the opportunities and benefits of trade
are available to our workers, ranchers, farmers, and service
providers.
For more than 14 years, Peru has benefited
from broad access to our markets under the Andean Trade
Preference Act. This U.S.-Peru Trade Promotion Agreement
will help level the playing field for American exporters
and investors. Approval of this Agreement will also send
a strong signal that we are willing to support those who
share our values of economic freedom and democracy.
By strengthening our trading relationships
with important neighbors – including through our trade
agreements with Colombia and Panama – we will significantly
advance both our economic and national security interests.
These democracies are trying to improve the lives of their
citizens. We should embrace the strong commitment to economic
freedom of countries in our region, and the efforts of Colombia
to fight terrorists and drug traffickers and to strengthen
the rule of law.
Today's vote in the House is the first on
a free trade agreement since my Administration and the leaders
of both parties in Congress agreed on a new bipartisan way
forward.
I encourage the U.S. Senate to quickly approve
this Agreement, and for Congress then to move promptly to
consideration of our free trade agreements with Colombia,
Panama, and South Korea.
(end text)
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