THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

We made progress at the Seattle WTO trade meetings although significant differences remain. I remain optimistic that we can use the coming months to narrow our differences and launch a successful new round of global trade talks. A successful round will include bringing down barriers in agriculture, manufacturing and services, keeping E-Commerce tariff-free and ensuring that trade will lift living conditions for working people everywhere while protecting the environment. And, as I said in Seattle, a successful WTO must be more open and accessible to all citizens around the world.

I am determined to move forward on the path of free trade and economic growth while ensuring a human face is put on the global economy.

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