President Bush on Saturday, in what might be his last foreign visit in office, took the opportunity to promote free trade and urge a conclusion of the Doha round.

Joking that he was heading into retirement, Bush touted his own record of passing trade agreements and said the unhindered exchange of goods and services has benefited both the world’s developed and developing nations, lifting many out of poverty.

The president reflected on last week’s meeting of the G20 nations that was aimed at formulating a response to the global financial crisis. One popular topic was a renewed emphasis on the Doha world trade talks, which were supposed to design a global free trade platform but collapsed before an agreement could be reached. Bush said he would support such a move and would aggressively push for it.

“I recognize I'm leaving office in two months, but nevertheless, this administration will push hard to put the modalities in place so that Doha can be completed, and so we can send a message: We refuse to accept protectionism in the 21st century,” said Bush.

As in the G20 meeting, foreign leaders continued to press Bush on trade in Lima. Dana Perino, the White House’s press secretary, said the Doha talks had come up in every meeting Bush has had with foreign leaders there.

“Not only were they talking about the free trade agreements, but Doha has come up in every meeting. And there is a path to get Doha done, and the president wants to walk it and make everyone walk it with him so that we can actually get this done in the next couple of months,” Perino said.

The president also pressed Congress to pass free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. All three have been negotiated and signed off by the administration but Capitol Hill has not approved any of them as of yet.

“It is extremely disappointing that the United States Congress adjourned without passing these three agreements. And I urge all those who support free trade to continuing pressing the case for the Congress to pass free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama and South Korea,” Bush said.