Pawlenty leaves on trade mission to China, Japan

Governor Tim Pawlenty is on his way to China and Japan for a 10-day trade mission.

The trip is Pawlenty's seventh and final trade mission as governor. He led a similar delegation of business and government representatives to China in 2005.

During an airport news conference, Pawlenty said China has been a priority trading partner for Minnesota, and he wants his successor to continue that relationship.

"Regardless of who's governor or who may be leading Minnesota, it's critically important for our state to be able to export into growing, large markets," Pawlenty said. "That's why we're undertaking this trade mission today."

Pawlenty said he hopes the next governor will continue the trade relationship with China that he launched in 2005.

"Our economy in this country, or economy in Minnesota, will not grow as fast as it could if we don't grow into these large and growing markets," he said. "So, it's in our best interest as a state to do as much exporting as possible as a way to grow Minnesota businesses and jobs, and I can think of nothing more important for our state right now than those objectives."

Pawlenty said Minnesota exports have grown dramatically during his eight years in office, and he said trade missions have helped that expansion.

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