Bush Promotes Free Trade at Ceremony

Arguing strongly for open trade, George W. Bush made a quick trip to Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, to help dedicate a new border bridge to Laredo, Texas. The Republican candidate said that as president, he would seek “fast-track” negotiating status from Congress to expand free trade in the Western Hemisphere. Appearing with Mexican President Ernesto Zedillo, Bush said he wanted to build on the North American Free Trade Agreement to bring other countries throughout Latin America under the free-trade umbrella. The new World Trade Bridge, a $128-million span, is the fourth international bridge connecting Laredo and Nuevo Laredo.