STATEMENT BY GOVERNOR BILL CLINTON Mexico Free Trade Act July 27, 1992 If we are to prosper as a nation, we must reject the outdated rhetoric of both the free traders who are oblivious to workers and the environment, and the protectionists who ignore the benefits of expanded world trade. We must pursue a new course. As President, I will negotiate trade agreements that both promote expanded trade and that put our people first. From the outset of this campaign, I have stated that I will support a free trade agreement with Mexico so long as it provides adequate protection for workers, farmers, and the environment on both sides of the border. Furthermore, I have stated that we must have strong transition strategies that ensure that workers benefit from a more open world trading system. I hope that the agreement that finally emerges will meet these goals. I applaud Majority Leader Gephardt's continuing efforts to press the President to ensure that these goals are, in fact, incorporated. We must sign a pro-growth, pro-jobs treaty with Mexico that does not sell out our workers or our environment. If I am President, that is exactly the kind of agreement we'll have.