ACCESSION NUMBER:291842
FILE ID:POL203
1ATE:06/29/93
TITLE:U.S. READY FOR TALKS ON EXPANDED TRADE WITH ARGENTINA (06/29/93)
TEXT:*93062903.POL
U.S. READY FOR TALKS ON EXPANDED TRADE WITH ARGENTINA
(Clinton meets with Menem at White House) (620)
By Alexander M. Sullivan
USIA White House Correspondent
Washington -- The United States is prepared for immediate discussion of
an expanded trade relationship with Argentina and other South American
nations, President Clinton said June 29.
"My attitude is we ought to get on with it," Clinton declared, asserting he
would base the expanded relationship on the pending North American Free
Trade Agreement (NAFTA). "We ought to try to increase the volume and the
variety of trade with appropriate countries, just as quickly as possible,"
the president said, but he added that he has no specific timetable in mind.
Clinton commented on international trade during a joint news conference with
Argentine President Menem following their talks at the White House.
Asked when he foresees including Argentina and Chile in a free trade
relationship, Clinton replied, "I would be prepared to discuss immediately
-- with Argentina, with Chile, with other appropriate nations -- the
possibility of expanded trade relations along the NAFTA model. I have long
thought NAFTA should be the model for embracing all of Latin America's
democracies and free market economies."
Menem said he could not envision talks until the U.S. Congress approves
NAFTA, but he asserted that expanded U.S. trade is a "priority." Menem
pointed out that Argentina is committed to discussions with the United
States, Mexico and Canada on expanding trade.
Clinton said Menem had briefed him on the patent protection law now under
consideration by the Argentinian parliament. The two leaders also
discussed agricultural subsidies, and Clinton said he told Menem the United
States had unilaterally cut payments to farmers in 1990, also noting he is
seeking further reductions in this year's budget. Washington "strongly
supports" the 1992 Blair House accord on reduction of farm subsidies,
Clinton said, adding, "We are with Argentina."
Clinton quipped that as a person raised in a farm area, he was envious of
the fact "that Argentina has the deepest top soil anywhere in the
world...with 20 feet (6 meters) of top soil, he can grow anything and do
well."
Menem said he frequently discusses agricultural subsidies with foreign
leaders and believes European subsidies are "damaging countries like
Argentina." He pointed out that subsidies now exceed $300,000 million a
year.
Lauding Menem's economic reform efforts, Clinton said he and Menem had
discussed Argentina's democratic reforms and its role in international
peacekeeping. Menem, he said, "represents a new generation of Latin
American presidents committed to expanding freedom, strengthening democracy
and creating prosperity. His leadership has been bold, and his
accomplishments truly impressive."
Clinton credited Menem with overcoming crises in recession and
hyper-inflation while slashing tariffs, eliminating budget deficits and
opening up Argentina's economy to world markets. The president also cited
Argentina's annual economic growth rate of 9 percent.
Clinton said he and Menem had discussed Haiti at great length, asserting, "I
am confident that together we can restore democracy" to that island nation.
Praising Argentina's role in battling proliferation of weapons of mass
1estruction, he said Menem had "ended a dangerous ballistic missile
program, signed important nuclear non-proliferation agreements, placed
strong controls on the export of sensitive weapons-related material and
technology, and helped to lead the successful international effort to
negotiate the chemical weapons convention."
Argentina, Clinton said, "has been in the forefront of initiatives to
increase the dialogue on security issues in its region. Its progress and
support for democracy are two reasons why this hemisphere is more secure
and more prosperous today than it was in the past and why it will show the
way to a more prosperous tomorrow."
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