NAFTA and the FTAA: Regional Alternatives to Multilateralism

As the above quotes indicate, the Bush administration places great emphasis on trade, viewing it not only as a means to economic strength, but also as a way to promote national security. While past presidents have also touted the benefits of trade, Bush is in a unique position to make trade liberalization a reality. First, Bush was recently granted Trade Promotion Authority3 (TPA) or "fast track." With TPA, presidents can negotiate trade deals that Congress must then ratify or reject, but which they cannot amend. TPA makes enacting trade agreements much easier. Second, after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Bush enjoys tremendous power over all matters relating to foreign policy. By linking trade to U.S. security, Bush has effectively silenced Congressional dissent on the issue by making it much more difficult for Congress to reject such deals. Trade liberalization, therefore, should be within Bush's reach. After all, Bush's predecessor, Bill Clinton, led a multi-year WTO Round and helped bring about two large multilateral agreements without TPA and despite facing the