Forecast on Latin America and the Caribbean

May 7, 2003
U.S. Chamber of Commerce

It's a pleasure to welcome you all here. It's getting awfully close to cocktail hour across the street at the Decatur House, so I will keep my remarks brief.

You've heard from some very smart people today on the challenges and opportunities we face in trying to boost trade and economic reform throughout the Americas.

I'd like to take a minute to share some of my thoughts.

First, I think it's vital that the United States not allow differences over Iraq to strain our broader relationships.

I am confident that our partners in the Americas understand that the U.S. agenda was profoundly reshaped by 9/11.

Most Americans—and most importantly, our President—believe in their hearts that winning in Iraq was absolutely critical to winning the larger war against terrorism.

I will never forget what President Bush told a small group of Chamber board members recently. He said: "I'm just afraid I'm going to wake up one day and learn I'm too late."

The U.S. is experiencing a tense and challenging period in our relationships with countries in the Americas that didn't support us in the war in Iraq.

But as far as I'm concerned, it's "all in the family"—because the Americas really are a family. We will work through these problems like the best families do—and the business communities of all the nations will lead the way.

The place to begin is to remind our governments and our citizens again and again just how essential our commercial relationships are to jobs, prosperity, national wealth, and our free way of life.

I attempted to do this during a visit with Canadian business and government leaders in Toronto early last month, when tension between U.S. and Canada was high.

Though I spoke very plainly about U.S. disappointment with Canada's lack of support on Iraq and offensive comments made by some its leaders about our president, I stressed the importance of strengthening our relationship for the sake of our shared values, longstanding friendship, and mutual respect.

I didn't know what kind of reaction to expect, but I'm pleased to report that audience agreed wholeheartedly with what I had said.

The people in the room that day reached an understanding, I think. And I hope the same can be said about the people in this room today.

That understanding says that we must never allow occasional disagreements to ruin longstanding relationships built on trust, friendship, shared principles and a shared vision for the future.

Second, the Chamber will continue to build greater momentum for free trade agreements—momentum that started with our victory on TPA last year.

As Larry Liebenow mentioned this morning, TPA has made a difference in U.S. global leadership in trade, and Latin America has benefited greatly from that renewed leadership.

Yesterday, of course, the president signed the FTA with Singapore, and I'm confident that the United States will sign the FTA with Chile in short order.

And the Administration is also working toward a deal with five Central American countries.

This progress is proof that the administration has NOT forgotten about Latin America and the Caribbean.

And I assure you, the U.S. Chamber will not allow it to forget about Latin America as we continue to beat the drum for a Free Trade Area of the Americas agreement.

We are prepared to throw extraordinary resources behind the FTAA to push for the best possible agreement—for all countries.

With all of you here and our AmChams in Latin America and the Caribbean, we are busy each and every day making the case for trade and economic reform to the American people—and to people throughout the hemisphere.

Our ongoing trade education program—TradeRoots—is winning hearts and minds in communities all over the country.

Finally, the Chamber will continue to lead the effort in this country to enhance security without impairing trade and immigration.

How do we protect our borders without sealing off the valuable flow of people and products that sustains our economies and our way of life?

We in this country can look upon this question as a problem, or we can see it as an opportunity—an opportunity to make our borders more secure and more efficient at the same time.

Many people talk about "striking a balance" between commerce and security, as if to imply that the only solution is to accept a little less prosperity and a little less security.

But the two are not mutually exclusive. We shouldn't be forced into making a choice. We should aim higher and find win-win solutions for trade and safety.

Through better technology, new risk assessment tools, and closer cooperation with our trading partners, we have the ability detect harmful cargo and people while allowing the rest to move quickly and efficiently.

The U.S. Chamber is on the front lines to ensure that increased security measures are truly effective and are achieved without choking off the trade and jobs upon which our people depend.

In the end, the responsibility rests with business to speak out and insist that YES, we need to enhance security—but in a way that doesn't undermine the values of a free and open society.

This is a challenge and an opportunity that businesses throughout the hemisphere must pursue together.

Ladies and gentlemen, I'm optimistic that the economic relationships that bind the Americas are entering their best days.

While some see a sluggish global economy, geopolitical divisions, and the ongoing war on terrorism as possible deterrents to progress, I see things another way.

I see a United States that, armed with TPA, is assuming new leadership in trade.

I see an opportunity to enhance security while at the same time improve the efficient movement of people and goods.

And I see positive signs of key leaders in Latin America embracing economic reforms that are prerequisites for liberalized trade.

By being here today, I can't help but think that you share in my optimism. So let today be the start of a renewed effort to go where we've never been before.

Thank you very much.