Clinton Signs Trade Bill, Rebuts Claims His Policies Harm Workers

President Clinton signed legislation Thursday authorizing U.S. participation in a tariff-slashing world trade agreement, which passed Congress by lopsided margins in a rare lame-duck session.

At the signing ceremony in the Organization of American States headquarters, Clinton defended his trade policy against critics who say it will pit U.S. workers against low-wage employees abroad.

“We must never run away from the world,” he declared.

Foes of the trade accord with 123 nations said the World Trade Organization it establishes represents an unprecedented infringement on American sovereignty.

Opponents also charged that the pact, by lowering U.S. barriers to trade, would make American workers more vulnerable to competition from low-wage workers in other countries.

“Hey, Bill! You’re selling out!” shouted a man with a megaphone outside the OAS building as Clinton climbed out of his limousine.

The man was joined by about a dozen fellow protesters.

With flags from dozens of countries draped from a marble wall above his head, Clinton told 400 free-trade supporters in the cavernous main hall, “Yes, it is true that one of the reasons for stagnant wages in the United States is intense competition in our own markets and in other markets from people who work for wages our folks couldn’t live on.”

But, he said, “That would happen if there is never another trade agreement.”

In the long run, Clinton said, American workers will benefit from his efforts to open markets under the world trade agreement, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group.

“America cannot and will not succeed . . . until we have more folks buying what we sell,” Clinton said.

“Some say the answer is to try to hunker down within our borders. That is clearly not an option. No country can escape the global economy.”

The 22,000-page agreement cuts global tariffs by 38% and knocks down other barriers to trade.

With Clinton’s signature, almost 40 countries have now approved the agreement and another 40 are expected to do so before the end of this year.

The World Trade Organization will police trade disputes once the accord takes effect Jan. 1.

In signing the trade accord, Clinton was flanked by members of his economic team, departing House Speaker Thomas S. Foley (D-Wash.) and incoming Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole (R-Kan.), who forced concessions from the White House in return for his support for the new world trade agreement.

“Bipartisan victories are the best victories,” Vice President Al Gore said.