WTO's Moore Praises Bush Approach

February 23, 2001

World Trade Organization Director-General, Mike Moore is "impressed by the seriousness and commitment of Ambassador (Robert) Zoellick and indeed of the entire Bush Administration" to a new round of global trade talks, something Moore believes is needed so "all enjoy the benefits of global trade liberalization.

Speaking to the USDA Outlook Forum, Moore said he "welcomed the support shown by senior Bush Administration officials for the launch of a new round of trade negotiations this year." He spent four days meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Zoellick, Commerce Secretary Donald Evans, Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman, National Security Council Advisor Condoleezza Rice, National Economic Council Advisor Lawrence Lindsey, as well as various business groups and labor officials

He and Zoellick "covered the full range of issues that face us" on trade. Moore also said it is "very important" that Congress give the Bush Administration fast track authority to negotiate trade agreements that don't allow Congress to amend the final results. That is important not only to the United States, Moore added, "but for all US trading partners."

"This (Bush) Administration is committed to work for open markets bilaterally, regionally and globally," he said. "My job is to ensure that work advances in Geneva so we can all enjoy the benefits of global trade liberalization. This is best done by the launch of a new round."

Without a broad trade round, Moore said, it will be difficult for the talks to proceed beyond the initial phase. "Arguments on the various sides of the agriculture talks may speak for themselves, but the political logic for most participants demands the possibility of broader trade-offs," he said.

Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman put trade at the top of her list of priorities in her speech to the outlook forum. She said the administration "will pursue an aggressive trade policy that includes new trade negotiating authority, a new trade round in the WTO and completion of the Free Trade Area of the Americas."