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Automakers Hail Americas Summit

16 April 1998

Automakers Hail Americas Summit

    WASHINGTON, April 16 -- The following is a statement by
Andrew H. Card, Jr., President & CEO of the American Automobile Manufacturers
Association (AAMA), regarding this week's Summit of the Americas meeting in
Santiago, Chile:

    "The meeting of Western Hemisphere leaders this week is a reminder that
the best future customers for U.S.-made products may be our neighbors
throughout the Americas.  Certainly, America's Car Companies look forward to
participating in the growth of Latin American markets.
    "Today, we face a labyrinth of regional trade alliances and restrictive
trade rules that stifle sales and investment opportunities.  If the vision of
a Free Trade Area of the Americas can be realized, consumers throughout the
hemisphere will gain far greater access to U.S.-made products.
    "Chrysler, Ford and GM want the United States to be a leader in opening
markets and expanding trade and investment opportunities around the world.  We
hope a successful Summit of the Americas meeting will encourage Congress to
grant the President full `fast-track' trade negotiating authority. Lack of
this authority means that the FTAA is going forward without the U.S., the
world's most dynamic economy, as a full partner.
    "America's Car Companies are hopeful that by the time the President next
meets with other Western Hemisphere heads of state, Congress will have given
him the authority to negotiate in support of the nation's best economic
interests."

    AAMA is the trade association whose members are Chrysler Corporation
, Ford Motor Company and General Motors Corporation
.  Visit AAMA's site on the World Wide Web at http://www.aama.com.

SOURCE  American Automobile Manufacturers Association