Bill Clinton: “I think they are interested in moving our relationships forward. To me, it was encouraging that he invited me to dinner…”

“I think they are interested in moving our relationships forward. To me, it was encouraging that he invited me to dinner because we've already been together once. And I think it indicates that the Japanese do understand there has to be some change in the relationship between the United States and Japan, in both our interests. Whether we can agree on exactly what the shape of that should be at this time, I don't know. And I'm doing the best I can to represent the interests of our country. But as I said in my speech yesterday to the university students, I also believe that the position I've taken is in the best interests of Japan. I know it's in the best interests of Japanese consumers, but it's going to help to stabilize this economy, too, if they can open their markets more and not be driven by the desire to maintain these massive trade surpluses. So we'll work at it. But I was gratified that he invited me to dinner, and I'm going to go.”