<html>
<head>
<meta name="Generator" content="Corel WordPerfect 8">
<title>MINISTER PETTIGREW MEETS U.S. TRADE OFFICIALSIN WASHINGTON</title>
</head>
<body text="#000000" link="#0000ff" vlink="#551a8b" alink="#ff0000" bgcolor="#c0c0c0">
<p><font face="Arial"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1"></font><font face="Arial" size="+1">September 22, 1999 <em>(1:25 p.m. EDT)</em> No. 210</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">MINISTER PETTIGREW MEETS U.S. TRADE OFFICIALS</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial" size="+1">IN WASHINGTON</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew today announced his first official visit to the United States since
being appointed to the international trade portfolio. Minister Pettigrew is in Washington today where he will
meet with his counterpart, U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky, Secretary of Commerce William
Daley and Congressional Representatives, to discuss a variety of trade matters.</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">"With more than 80 percent of all Canadian exports going south of the border, the United States is Canada's
number one trading partner and we are theirs," said Minister Pettigrew. "Overall we have an excellent trading
relationship -- in fact the largest in the world. I look forward to meeting with Ambassador Barshefsky."</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Canada trades over $1.5 billion a day with the U.S., almost all of which is free trade. Minister Pettigrew and
Ambassador Barshefsky will take this opportunity to exchange views prior to key multilateral trade meetings,
such as the Free Trade Area of the Americas Trade Ministerial meeting in Toronto next month, and the World
Trade Organization Ministerial meeting in Seattle in November. They are also expected to review Canada-U.S.
bilateral relations.</font></p>
<p align="CENTER"><font face="Arial">- 30 -</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">For further information, media representatives may contact:</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Sylvie Bussières</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Office of the Minister for International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 992-7332</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Media Relations Office</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade</font></p>
<p><font face="Arial">(613) 995-1874</font></p>
</body>
</html>
