Pawlenty to lead trade mission to China, Japan

Governor Tim Pawlenty will lead a trade mission to China and Japan this fall.

The mission will take place Sept. 9-18, and includes stops in Shanghai and Beijing, China, and Tokyo and Osaka, Japan. Pawlenty said on his weekly radio program Friday that the trip is designed to boost Minnesota exports.

"We've had a very high focus on China as part of our overall trade approach," Pawlenty said. "This is a key and growing trade partner for us. So we're going to lead another trade mission there this September to both China and Japan."

Pawlenty said the trip will be an opportunity for Minnesota businesses to learn more about exporting their products. Anticipating criticism over the cost of the trip, Pawlenty noted that the business people going will pay their own way, and he said his travel costs will not come from the state's general fund.

Pawlenty has led previous trade missions to Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, the Czech Republic, India, Israel and Poland.

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