Robert B. Zoellick

U.S. Trade Representative

The Institute for International Economics

Washington, DC

September 24, 2001



"American Trade Leadership: What is at Stake"

On September 11, America, its open society, and its ideas came under attack/ by a group of people who craves our panic and retreat of global leadership. This grave test is an assault on more than buildings and innocent people - it is a strike against liberty itself.



As President Bush declared last Thursday to the Congress, "This is civilization§s fight. This is the fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism, tolerance and freedom." Our enemy§s selection of targets - the White House, the Pentagon, and the World Trade Towers - recognizes that America§s might and light emanate from our political, security, and economic vitality. Our counteroffensive must advance U.S. leadership across all these fronts. So in addition to military actions, we must thrust forward the values that define us against our adversary: openness, peaceful exchange, democracy, the rule of law, compassion, and tolerance