Excerpts from the June 13, 2002 White House Briefing by President Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard after their meeting that the White House (Text Only)

Email this page to a friend

Excerpts from the June 13, 2002 White House Briefing by President Bush and Australian Prime Minister John Howard after their meeting that the White House

Click here for the full transcript

QUESTION: Mr. President, if Congress gives you trade approval, will a trade deal be a priority with Australia? And will Australian farmers get better access to American markets?

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yeah, I talked to John about the importance of trade. The qualifier was, if Congress were to give me trade promotion authority. I appreciate you qualifying it that way. I urge Congress to give me trade promotion authority, so --

PRIME MIN. HOWARD: So do I. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT BUSH: -- yeah -- (chuckles) -- so we can have fruitful discussions with our friend. But first things first. And as you know, a bill passed the House, and one passed the Senate, and now it's time for them to get together and get the bill to me. And I would -- more than willing to ask my man, Zoellick, to talk to the Australians, but only until and after we get TPA.

Listen, thank you all for coming.

Email this page to a friend