THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

NAFTA NOTES

Friday, September 17, 1993

President Addresses Hispanic Congressional Caucus Institute

• President Clinton addressed the annual dinner of the Hispanic Congressional Caucus Institute last evening, and discussed NAFTA along with the rest of his fall agenda. The President noted that Latin America is presently the second fastest growing region of the world (behind Asia) and stated "the reason I want to do [NAFTA] over the long run is I want to keep the movement to democracy, I want to keep the movement for economic growth, I want Americans to prosper by helping our friends and neighbors in this hemisphere to build a stronger world."

The President recognized that there is disagreement over NAFTA, and that change is never easy, but then stated "I believe that it is in the interest of this country ... not to turn away from the change but to embrace it -- not because it will be easy, not because nobody will be hurt, but because on balance we'll be better. ...we cannot make the perfect solution the enemy of the better solution. That is why I have embraced this course and why I hope others will as well."

Daley's NAFTA Group Up and Running

• The President's campaign to support the NAFTA got off to a running start this week with the signing of the side accords, his trip to New Orleans, and his remarks last night at the Hispanic Caucus dinner. To further the administration's campaign, the head of the President's NAFTA efforts, William Daley, has put together his operation in the White House to do press, outreach, scheduling, legislative operations, as well as executive branch coordination (as well as produce NAFTA Notes). Along with the President's trips, Cabinet members will be travelling to present the benefits of NAFTA to working men and women across the country (nine Cabinet members were out on the road this week alone).

Trade Hawk Clyde Prestowitz Changes Position On NAFTA

• As reported in the Wall St. Journal, the Economic Strategy Institute's Clyde Prestowitz, in a switch from his previous position, called NAFTA a job-gainer, saying, "I think in the long-run [NAFTA] will be a plus." Last fall, Mr. Prestowitz had predicted that jobs would be lost with NAFTA; the reason for his change is the belief that more U.S. companies will shift plants from Mexico and return to the U.S. now that companies can sell to the Mexican market without producing there.
• Earlier this week, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) endorsed NAFTA along with six national environmental groups. This was unprecedented environmental support for a trade agreement.