Trade

Trade is not a panacea, but it remains the best tool we have to support economic growth, democracy, and a new strategic partnership in the hemisphere.

Speaking at the 33rd Washington Conference of the Council of the Americas, Horst Kohler, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, discussed how to maintain economic stability in Latin America. Kohler stated the importance of increased trade and introduced an agenda to encourage economic growth.

Speaking at the 2000 Washington Conference on the Americas, President Bill Clinton discusses the importance of open trade within the Americas and the benefits of continuing forward to create a Free Trade Area of the Americas by 2005. Clinton also focuses on Columbia's increasing drug industry issue and stresses the importance of the United States helping the Colombian government.

At the 26th Washington Conference on the Americas, Cesar Gaviria Trujillo, Secretary General of the Organization of the American States, speaks about the results of the Cartagena Trade Ministerial. He discusses the integration of the Americas and the steps we must take to ensure a successful completion of the Free Trade Area of the Americas by 2005.

At the 1996 Washington Conference on the Americas, Secretary of State Warren Christopher stated that the Americas are entering a new era, in which they are unified. He spoke of growing relationship between Mexico and the United States, and the progress that has been made in law enforcement and the preservation of the environment.