P.M. BRIEFING : Trade Policy to Aid Drug Fight

President Bush today announced a series of trade initiatives, including a commitment to help negotiate a new international coffee agreement, to aid drug-producing Andean nations in their battle to curb narcotics trafficking.

“I believe that through increased trade we can make a contribution to the creation of economic alternatives to drug trafficking,” he said in a written statement.

Bush said his package of initiatives would promote more trade between the United States and its Latin neighbors, explore the possibility of expanding textiles trade and build on international political consensus to negotiate a new international coffee agreement.