42 



I feel very strongly that that is a major part of my responsibil- 

 ities. 



The Chairman. We are very happy about that because we can't 

 negotiate, though we visit with representatives from almost every 

 nation in the world periodically — they come through here and we 

 go there. But for the technical negotiation, you are our man and 

 we are going to rely on you. 



Mr. Glickman. 



Mr. Glickman. Thank you. 



Mr. Ambassador, it is a delight to see you here. 



I would tell you that I did not support the fast-track authority 

 on NAFTA under the previous administration because I thought 

 there was kind of a purist love affair with free trade without un- 

 derstanding some of the nuances that you're dealing with now. I 

 have a great deal more confidence now in you and in this adminis- 

 tration. 



Saying that, let me ask you, If you get satisfactory side agree- 

 ments in the environment and labor, is the President then going 

 to vigorously push the Congress for passage of this agreement say- 

 ing that this is a highly politically charged issue? 



Left to its own accord this will not pass. The natural inclination 

 is to basically hear fi-om every group that has a problem, every 

 group that wants the status quo, every group that is afraid of the 

 future. I am not saying that there are not legitimate concerns 

 raised, particularly in the environmental area and in the low-wage 

 area. 



My feeling is more a question as well as a thought. Without ac- 

 tive interventionist consistent and deliberate pressure from the 

 President of the United States, this agreement doesn't have a 

 chance of passing. 



My question to you is: Assuming that you get stuff worked out 

 on the side, is that what you're going to do? 



Ambassador Kantor. If we have agreements we reach which 

 have teeth, which are meaningful, which are concrete and serious, 

 this President intends to do what he said he was going to do on 

 October 4, and then reiterated December 17, ana then reiterated 

 at American University. He will come up here and advocate the 

 NAFTA with these supplemental agreements because under the 

 criteria we have talked about earlier today, does it make the situa- 

 tion better than it is today? 



That is really the criteria — not whether or not it is perfect. There 

 is no such thing as a perfect world. I am glad you mentioned the 

 free-trade protectionism, fair trade, results-oriented management — 

 I have heard so many labels thrown out that I am dizzy. The fact 

 is that we need to make sure we have comparably open markets, 

 that we're pragmatic in our approach, that we really represent 

 American business and American workers. In this particular agree- 

 ment, we come back with something that really helps the situation 

 substantially as compared to what it is today. 



I really appreciate your remarks, Mr. Glickman. You are right on 

 point. The President has said it time and again and he means it. 

 Assuming we come back with agreements, he is not going to come 

 up here with the North American Free-Trade Agreement without 



