NetNews Usenet Archive 1993 #1/NN_1993_1.iso/spool/misc/activism/progress/9902

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From: Kai Mander <[e-mail]>
Subject: TRADE.NEWS 1-11-93
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TRADE NEWS BULLETIN  Volume II Number 6
Monday, January 11, 1993
_________________________________________________________
NAFTA News Summary
_________________________________________________________
CLINTON REAFFIRMS SUPPORT FOR NAFTA

In a private meeting in Austin, Texas Friday, President-elect Bill
Clinton told Mexican President Carlos Salinas de Gortari he would
work quickly to complete the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Clinton reportedly vowed not to reopen the agreement if parallel
accords on labor and environmental issues are established.

"I reaffirmed my support for the NAFTA and the conviction that
there were some issues still outstanding between our two nations
that need to be addressed,"  Clinton said.  He added that soon after
his inauguration on January 20 he would appoint one person to
handle the NAFTA and other U.S.-Mexican issues.

Dozens of protesters assembled outside the Texas Governor's
Mansion, where the meeting was taking place.   They shouted, "No
free trade" and held a banner reading, "NAFTA: Bush's Corporate
Give-away."

Mary Ann Neely, director of Clean Water Action, called on Clinton to
make drastic changes to the text.  The NAFTA text "is not a good
document right now," said Neely.  "It's not good for business. It's not
good for labor. It's not good for the environment. It's not good for the
health and safety of the people of the United States or Mexico, and
[Clinton]  knows that."  Representatives of the Teamsters Union, the
Sierra Club and other groups were on hand as well.

In addition to NAFTA, Clinton and Salinas discussed border problems
such as drug trafficking, illegal immigration and pollution.  Clinton
said he disagreed with a Supreme Court ruling legitimizing the U.S.
kidnapping of a Mexican citizen thought to be involved in the murder
of a U.S. drug agent.

Source: Mark Langford, "Clinton Promises Salinas Quick Action On
Side Agreement," UPI, January 8, 1993; Terence Hunt, AP, January 8,
1993; "Clinton Reaffirms Support for Mexican Trade Pact," REUTER,
January 8, 1993.
_________________________________________________________
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT STUDIES NAFTA

Mexico will gain from the North American Free Trade Agreement,
but Latin American countries may come under new political and
economic pressure from the United States as the free trade area
offers them few of the total expected benefits, concluded a study
conducted by the European Community's Committee on External
Economic Relations.

The November 18 study said Mexico will gain privileged access to the
U.S., -- the world's largest and richest market -- and will attract
significant foreign investment, which will lead to significant economic
gains.

However, the report finds, NAFTA's initial impact on the U.S.
economy will be small, and some sectors will probably suffer.  The
report lists sugar refineries, electronic components manufacturers,
fruit and vegetable producers and steel and textile producers, as
probable losers under NAFTA.  But NAFTA's more significant
attraction to the U.S., according to the study, is the political
advantage it offers.  "An FTA with Mexico is seen in Washington as a
means of strengthening democracy and political stability south of the
Rio Grande," the report states.  NAFTA offers an invaluable launching
pad for the creation of a Latin American free trade zone and the
stability of democracy in South America.

The report says Canada has little to gain from free trade with Mexico,
and Canada's participation in NAFTA is simply a defensive attempt to
maintain the competitive advantages of the Canada-US Free Trade
Agreement.

The report examines NAFTA's and other free trade agreement's
effects on Europe.  The committee concludes the discipline of a GATT
accord would be "the most effective way for the European
Community to forestall the creation of a US-centered web of free
trade agreements in Latin America and Asia."

Source: REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON EXTERNAL ECONOMIC
RELATIONS ON THE FREE TRADE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNITED
STATES, CANADA AND MEXICO, November 18, 1992.
_________________________________________________________
GATT News Summary
_________________________________________________________
US-EC TRYING TO FINISH GATT BEFORE FAST TRACK EXPIRES

In a desperate attempt to conclude the Uruguay Round before U.S.
fast track negotiating authority expires March 2, officials from the
United States and the European Community are holding intense
meetings in Geneva.  Negotiators have been trying since Friday to
establish an outline agreement which they can present to a meeting
of senior GATT officials Friday.  Under fast track, the U.S. Congress
has limited ability to debate and amend the trade accord.  GATT
supporters contend an expiration of fast track could delay the round
by months, or even years.

There are many potential obstacles to establishing an outline by next
Friday, not the least of which is the U.S. request to reopen
negotiations in 25 areas, including anti-dumping and subsidy rules,
patent and copyright protection, and establishment of a multilateral
trade organization.

Source: Frances Williams, "US, EC in Last-Ditch GATT Talks,"
FINANCIAL TIMES, January 11, 1993, p. 12.
_________________________________________________________
Produced by:
Kai Mander, The Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy (IATP)
1313 Fifth Street SE, Suite #303 Minneapolis, MN 55414-1546 USA
Telephone:[phone] Fax:[phone] E-
Mail:[e-mail]
_________________________________________________________