NEW ORLEANS — President Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderon strongly defended free trade across North America on Monday, fending off anti-trade remarks that Democrats running for the White House are using to lure working-class voters.
Opening a two-day summit with Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Bush hailed the benefits of cross-border trade despite a rising protectionist sentiment on Capitol Hill. The president said that when he and Calderon were growing up, the border area was poor, but today, it’s prospering.
“Our trade has tripled, and our economies have grown,” said Bush, who decided to host the summit in New Orleans to showcase its rebirth following Hurricane Katrina. “This has been a very positive aspect for both our countries.”
Calderon was more specific, saying the North American Free Trade Agreement is misunderstood.
“I stress this issue because recently NAFTA has come under criticism,” he said. “And I do not believe that people are realizing how many benefits NAFTA has brought, both to the United States and to Mexico.”
Calderon said the far-reaching trade deal has led to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs on both sides of the border, has offered more choices to consumers and has raised the quality of products.
Launched in 1994, the accord eliminated trade barriers among the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The summit was held in the city’s business district near the French Quarter, but far from areas obliterated by Katrina when it roared ashore on Aug. 29, 2005.
White House officials said Bush’s decision to host the event in New Orleans shows that the city is ready to be the venue for international events, but it’s not its first big event. Last year, the city hosted major-college football’s championship game, Mardi Gras and the NBA All-Star Game.
