U.S. trade mission to Asia

U.S. trade mission to Asia

WASHINGTON (Reuter): Secretary of Commerce Mickey Kantor said on Thursday he would lead a commercial delegation to Asia to discuss trade and investment in the telecommunication, transportation and automotive industries.

Kantor and eight chief executives from U.S. companies plan stops in Seoul, South Korea, Jakarta, Indonesia, and Bangkok, Thailand, during the June 25-29 trip.

"Asia, particularly East Asia, is the competitive focus of America's future," Kantor said in a statement. "This region of the world accounts for nearly two-thirds of American exports, a figure that has tripled in the last 10 years."

Kantor plans to meet South Korean President Kim Young Sam on Tuesday and to hold a series of meetings with Korean officials to discuss investment and trade. The Commerce Department said he would also discuss copyright protection and opening financial services markets and Korean car markets.

U.S. officials have said they expect to see a boost in sales of U.S. cars in South Korea in the coming months in light of a market-opening agreement signed last year.

Kantor plans to meet Indonesian President Soeharto on Thursday to discuss regional trade and investment. He will also speak to the American Chamber of Commerce in Jakarta.

He plans to speak to business leaders in Bangkok on Friday, the Commerce Department said.