Press Release

Strengthening Commercial Ties Goal of Gutierrez Visit to Russia and China

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos M. Gutierrez will travel to St. Petersburg and Moscow, Russia, Saturday, May 28 – Wednesday, June 1 and Beijing, China, Thursday, June 2 - Saturday, June 4 to promote the Bush administration’s fair trade agenda and discuss issues of ongoing concern. Gutierrez will stress the administration’s commitment to improving economic relations with our trading partners and outline ways that open market forces can drive commerce.

“There is a powerful connection between America’s dynamic economy and our willingness to trade with fair-minded partners,” said Gutierrez. “Americans have always looked outward with a vision of economic engagement. We are explorers and traders. Americans do not gaze out to sea and fear competition coming ashore. Americans look abroad and dream of new opportunities. President Bush has instructed us to open new markets and to compete against the best the world has to offer.”

Gutierrez’s visit to Russia follows last February’s Bratislava Summit where Presidents Bush and Putin further committed to expanding U.S. – Russia commercial ties.

In Russia, Gutierrez will meet with senior government officials to emphasize common economic interests including Russia's accession to the WTO, developing a broader market for American goods, strengthening protection of intellectual property rights, realizing commercial energy partnerships, and making laws and regulations on investment in Russia transparent and optimal for growth.

Gutierrez will then travel to Beijing to meet with senior Chinese government officials. Gutierrez will urge China to deter widespread infringements of intellectual property rights through strict enforcement.

Additionally, Gutierrez will have Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) related discussions in advance of the upcoming JCCT in 2005.

“Economic relations among the U.S., Russia and China have great potential,” said Gutierrez. “The key to unlocking the benefits of this relationship is to build a business climate that gives American companies enough certainty to think big and American workers the confidence that they are competing on a level playing field.”

Gutierrez’s trip to Russia and China will be his first official visit to these countries as Secretary of Commerce.