PRESIDENT TO SIGN FREE TRADE AGREEMENT WITH CHILE ON JUNE 6

 

WASHINGTON – The Bush Administration announced that the United States and Chile will sign the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement on Friday, June 6th in Miami, Florida. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick will sign the agreement on behalf of the United States, and Chilean Foreign Minister Soledad Alvear will sign on behalf of Chile.

The two countries completed their negotiations in December of 2002. Pursuant to the Trade Act of 2002, President Bush was required to notify Congress 90 days prior to signing the agreement. At the end of negotiations, the agreement was subjected to extensive legal review, and was translated into Spanish.

"A free trade agreement between the U.S. and Chile is another important step toward a Free Trade Agreement of the Americas and the larger goal of a tariff-free world," said taxpayer advocate Grover Norquist. "The Bush administration has been tireless in its promotion of free trade."

The U.S.-Chile FTA will be the first between the U.S. and a South American country. The United States already has free trade agreements with Canada and Mexico (NAFTA); Israel; and Jordan, and recently signed an FTA with Singapore. The Bush Administration is expected to complete negotiations for an agreement with Morocco by the end of this year, and recently announced its intention to enter free trade negotiations with Bahrain.