When we're asked if we support multilateral or bilateral trade agreements, we typically answer “yes”. There are many bilateral trade agreements that the United States has entered into that have been good and meaningful and have brought real benefits to both parties, but multilateralism has as well. We are strong supporters of the global rules-based trading system embodied in the World Trade Organization. The rule of trade law, and what was built in the aftermath of the Second World War in terms of trade liberalization worldwide, has played a very important role in a rising prosperity around the globe. It's easy to see it in emerging economies like China, but I would argue that it's countries like the United States and Canada that have benefited the most, so we'll continue to be staunch supporters of multilateralism.
On September 25th, 2017. See this statement in context.