The White House NAFTA Notes _________________________________________________________________ Fro Immediate Release Friday, October 8, 1993 Senator Dodd Endorses NAFTA * In a speech on the Senate floor, Senator Christopher Dodd (D-CT) endorsed NAFTA, stating: "I have concluded that the debate comes down to one between the future and the past. The North American Free Trade Agreement represents the future, and by adopting it Americans can demonstrate their willingness to meet squarely the challenges ahead." Sen. Dodd outlined three arguments supporting NAFTA: It will create jobs in the U.S.; it is the first step to creating a powerful hemispheric trading bloc; it could help to lead Latin American and Caribbean nations "further down the path of democracy and prosperity." Stressing his sympathy to the concerns of NAFTA's opponents, Dodd said, "I suggest that the anxiety felt by American workers is real but that the translation of this anxiety into opposition to this trade agreement is mistaken." Senator Bradley Makes Major Speech on NAFTA, Changes in World * In a major address focusing on the transformations in the world economy which are battering working people, Senator Bill Bradley (D-NJ) said that "absolute priority" must be given to approving NAFTA. "I cannot help but see NAFTA as the test case of whether we hold on and lose, or transform and win," Bradley stated. "To defeat NAFTA will solve none of the problems generated by the four transformations. To pass NAFTA will improve the chances for more jobs in America and a stronger economy to deal with the real threats to American jobs coming from Europe, Japan, and China. To defeat NAFTA will darken the chances for GATT, and the defeat of both will deny America its major source of job creation during the next few years. Ultimately, if world trade expands, everyone can win. To pass NAFTA is to take the challenge head on." Vice President, Administration Leaders Brief NJ Leaders * In the last of this week's briefings on NAFTA for state leaders, the Vice President, Secretary Bentsen, NEC Director Bob Rubin, and Deputy NAFTA Coordinator Kurt Campbell spoke to New Jersey business and community leaders. "I do appreciate being given the opportunity to take part in the dialogue about NAFTA," Elenora Watson, Executive Director of the Urban League of Hudson County said following the briefing. "The people I represent are very concerned about job losses. ...Though I still have concerns, the dialogue that occurred today moves me toward supporting the agreement -- I am leaning toward supporting it." Progressive Policy Institute Report Finds NAFTA in National Interest * The Progressive Policy Institute yesterday released a report concluding: "Approval of [NAFTA] would deal a resounding blow to economic defeatists in America, create opportunity for American workers, and set America on the road to regaining its economic self confidence." For copies call the Institute at: (202) 547-0001