George H.W. Bush: “Well, I think your dad, with all respect, and don't tell him this, is wrong. I happen to believe that a fair trade…”

“Well, I think your dad, with all respect, and don't tell him this, is wrong. I happen to believe that a fair trade agreement will result in more American jobs. I happen to think--we're talking here about compassion and economics--I happen to think that if the free trade agreement helps Mexico, as well as helping the United States, it's a good thing. I don't believe in protection. I believe in fair trade. I believe the NAFTA, the North American free trade agreement, will result in better jobs and more jobs for the United States of America. If we're successful in this NAFTA agreement that your dad asked about and Canada stays in the deal, which I'm sure they will, we're talking about a $5 trillion market. And this is enormous. And that means prosperity for lots of families. So please tell your father that we are not talking about exporting American jobs. We're talking about creating new American jobs. If in the process we create a more prosperous Mexico that can do more about its environment, can do more about its standard of living, so much the better. Mexico has a wonderful new President, Carlos Salinas, and he has done wonders with Mexico. I believe that this fair trade agreement not only is in his interest, but what I've got to look after, is it the interests of the United States of America. I am absolutely convinced that it is, because free trade is far better than turning inward to some kind of protection. I wish I had it on the tip of my tongue the numbers of jobs in Georgia that depend on American exports. It is enormous. And we ought to keep opening, knocking down barriers, like our GATT agreement and getting a successful conclusion to the Uruguay round, knocking down barriers to American trade that will come with the North American free trade agreement. So I am a free but fair trader. I think protection shrinks markets, and I think our policy will increase jobs and markets. Listen, thank you all very, very much. Note: The President spoke at 5:46 p.m. in the school gymnasium. In his remarks, he referred to Pastor Darrell Rice, chairman, Mount Paran Christian School Board, who acted as moderator for the session. A tape was not available for verification of the content of these remarks.”