U.S. Chamber Hails Free Trade Talks with Chile

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The United States Chamber of Commerce applauded the Administration's announcement that the United States will negotiate a free trade agreement with Chile, calling it a significant step forward in the march toward free and fair trade around the world.

"This agreement will lead to an expansion of trade and investment between the United States and Chile on a mutually beneficial, reciprocal basis," said Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. "We've been pushing for this for a long time."

While President Clinton announced his intent to include labor and environmental provisions along the lines of the pending U.S.-Jordan free trade agreement, the Chamber does not believe that it is appropriate to address these issues within trade agreements.

The Chamber has consistently maintained that the best way to protect the environment and uphold labor standards is to pursue these improvements in separate, but parallel efforts. Linking trade with labor and environmental rules will slow the process of trade liberalization.

"The Chamber will support a comprehensive deal to eliminate tariffs and other trade barriers, but we will oppose the inclusion of unnecessary non-trade provisions," Donohue added.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

# # #

00-221