In a message dated 8/25/99 1:40:20 PM Central Daylight Time, AOL News writes: << Subj: Bush Pushes Free Trade Date: 8/25/99 1:40:20 PM Central Daylight Time From: AOL News BCC: Ahab42 Bush Pushes Free Trade .c The Associated Press By KATIE FAIRBANK CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Texas Gov. George W. Bush pitched open trade Wednesday to a part of the country where many feel stung by it, declaring, ``We'll be prosperous if this nation does not retreat within its borders.'' Bush opened a three-day Southern swing with a series of events in South Carolina, where his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination are working hard for an early February primary. Next come campaign stops and fund-raisers in North Carolina and Georgia. Bush has been a strong advocate of the North American Free Trade Agreement pioneered by his father when he was president and put into effect in 1993 by President Clinton. Texas exports to Mexico have jumped by more than 16 percent in two years on the strength of NAFTA. But the results have been uneven by industry and region, with critics citing a particular toll on textile mills and other industries of the Carolinas. ``The fearful build walls,'' Bush told the Charleston Rotary Club in a wide-ranging stump speech that included his usual defense of liberalized trade. He acknowledged harm done to the textile industry and said, without being specific, that he supports ``anti-dumping'' laws to prevent some economic sectors from being obliterated. But in the main, he said, the United States must compete in the world. ``I say that free trade is healthy for our economy,'' he told reporters later. ``We want Mexico to succeed, not fail. After all, they are our friends.'' In North Carolina, announcements of major plant closures have been made three times just this year, eliminating jobs. Supporters say NAFTA has been a success, citing increased exports and improved relations with neighbors. Opponents say the deal has drained jobs from the United States by encouraging companies to relocate to Mexico, hire low-paid workers and ship the manufactured products back. Republican candidate Pat Buchanan calls for a stop to NAFTA when he campaigns in South Carolina, warning against the ``deindustrialization of America.'' Most other candidates in both parties either support the deal or have not made it an issue. AP-NY-08-25-99 1439EDT Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. Announcement: America Online has added Reuters newswires to News Profiles. To add Reuters articles to your daily news delivery, go to KW: <A HREF="aol://5862:146">News Profiles</A> and click on "Modify Your News Profiles." Then click "Edit" and add Reuters from the list on the left. To edit your profile, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:NewsProfiles">NewsProfiles</A>. For all of today's news, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:News">News</A>. >>
Bush Pushes Free Trade .c The Associated Press By KATIE FAIRBANK CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - Texas Gov. George W. Bush pitched open trade Wednesday to a part of the country where many feel stung by it, declaring, ``We'll be prosperous if this nation does not retreat within its borders.'' Bush opened a three-day Southern swing with a series of events in South Carolina, where his rivals for the Republican presidential nomination are working hard for an early February primary. Next come campaign stops and fund-raisers in North Carolina and Georgia. Bush has been a strong advocate of the North American Free Trade Agreement pioneered by his father when he was president and put into effect in 1993 by President Clinton. Texas exports to Mexico have jumped by more than 16 percent in two years on the strength of NAFTA. But the results have been uneven by industry and region, with critics citing a particular toll on textile mills and other industries of the Carolinas. ``The fearful build walls,'' Bush told the Charleston Rotary Club in a wide-ranging stump speech that included his usual defense of liberalized trade. He acknowledged harm done to the textile industry and said, without being specific, that he supports ``anti-dumping'' laws to prevent some economic sectors from being obliterated. But in the main, he said, the United States must compete in the world. ``I say that free trade is healthy for our economy,'' he told reporters later. ``We want Mexico to succeed, not fail. After all, they are our friends.'' In North Carolina, announcements of major plant closures have been made three times just this year, eliminating jobs. Supporters say NAFTA has been a success, citing increased exports and improved relations with neighbors. Opponents say the deal has drained jobs from the United States by encouraging companies to relocate to Mexico, hire low-paid workers and ship the manufactured products back. Republican candidate Pat Buchanan calls for a stop to NAFTA when he campaigns in South Carolina, warning against the ``deindustrialization of America.'' Most other candidates in both parties either support the deal or have not made it an issue. AP-NY-08-25-99 1439EDT Copyright 1999 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without prior written authority of The Associated Press. Announcement: America Online has added Reuters newswires to News Profiles. To add Reuters articles to your daily news delivery, go to KW: <A HREF="aol://5862:146">News Profiles</A> and click on "Modify Your News Profiles." Then click "Edit" and add Reuters from the list on the left. To edit your profile, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:NewsProfiles">NewsProfiles</A>. For all of today's news, go to keyword <A HREF="aol://1722:News">News</A>.
