WTO Ministerial Meeting 
                                            Release No.st008.99

Remarks
          As Prepared for Delivery
                                             by 
                               Secretary Dan Glickman
                              WTO Ministerial Meeting
           Tour of Seattle Port/meeting With Apple Producers
                               With President Clinton
                         Seattle, WA   December 1, 1999

     "I want to thank Phyllis Gleasman for quite an impressive tour.  Everywhere we turned
there were Washington apples headed to some faraway port. 

     "I am very proud to be standing here with a President whose policies have made possible
the best of times for our economy -- with the lowest unemployment in decades, low inflation,
low interest rates, record home ownership and a federal budget surplus.  President Clinton's
vision and his insistence on fiscal discipline has brought us to where we are today, and has set
the stage for continued prosperity well into the new century.

     "Apples have long been a great American tradition   from the Big Apple to apple pie to
the great apple-producing state of Washington where over 50% of the nation's apple production
is concentrated.
  
     "The shipment of American apples overseas is one of many living examples that open
trade is working -- encouraging economic development and greasing the wheels of progress.  So
I think it's quite appropriate that we are gathered here at the Port of Seattle in recognition of
America's leadership in developing more open trade for the entire world.  

     "For the state of Washington, apple exports are more than a symbol, they are a boon to
the local economy.  From 1990 to 1998 exports of American apples increased by 50% to $329
million, with 90% of those apples coming from Washington, helping to make this state the eighth
largest agricultural exporter.  

     "Washington farm exports support nearly 26,000 jobs on and off the farm and contribute
to economic growth throughout the region.

     "And how did we get here?  Through fair trade policies like the ones promoted by
President Bill Clinton   like NAFTA and the WTO not to mention all sorts of bilateral accords. 
In fact, under the WTO regime, we've recently won concessions from Mexico and Japan that will
result in increased access for U.S. apples and cherries to those countries.
                                
     "And of course the biggest news coming into this week is the historic agreement with
China.  I believe that history will show that not only did President Clinton open the door to
economic opportunity with China -- especially for U.S. agriculture -- but through this agreement,
this Administration paved the way for open communications, private enterprise, and, most
significantly, more freedom and an inevitable move toward democratic values.  We also know
that fair trade with China is especially important in the case of apples and apple products, like
juice, and I'm pleased that progress is being made in that regard as well.

     "This is my seventh trip to Washington and fourth to Seattle as Agriculture Secretary --
including a WTO listening session in October.  Even in the short span of 4« years, the benefits
of trade are especially evident here in this gateway to the Pacific Rim.  Just look at the docks and
ships behind me brimming with activity.

     "Nobody understands this better than the people who benefit directly from more open and
fair trade.  With us today is a farmer who has pursued the American dream with great gusto and
has come to recognize international trade as one of the most important new markets for American
agriculture, John Butler.  

     "As John would tell you, even as early as 15 years old, farming is the only job he ever
wanted.  As a third generation farmer and owner of a family business, John works the land full
time, with his wife and three children pitching in.  On a small farm of 65 acres he grows apples
and pears, most of which he exports.  Being so export-dependent, John understands better than
anyone how trade limitations can affect the bottom line here at home   and not just his bottom
line, but the workers and businesses that depend on his success.  For John Butler, and tens of
thousands of other industrious Americans, more free and fair trade is not a dream, it's a
necessity.

     "Ladies and gentlemen, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you, a hard-working
farmer, a dedicated family man, and a very proud American, John Butler."

                                
                                
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