BALDRIGE TO LAUNCH FAR EAST TRADE DRIVE
U.S. Commerce Secretary Malcolm
Baldrige leaves on Saturday on a 10-day trip to the Far East to
help spur U.S. Trade and improve business relations with China,
South Korea and the Philippines, U.S. Officials say.
    Baldrige will also stop in Hong Kong to meet British
officials and local U.S. And Hong Kong businessmen.
    The U.S. Last year had major deficits with three of its
Asian trading partners -- South Korea 7.1 billion dlrs, Hong
Kong 6.4 billion and China 2.1 billion. The deficit with the
Philippines was 800 mln dlrs.
    Baldrige will meet South Korean President Chun Doo-hwan and
Trade Minister Rha Woong Bae on Monday to discuss opening South
Korean markets to more U.S. Goods.
    Baldrige will be in Peking from April 21 to 24. He will
meet Zheng Tuobin, minister for foreign economic relations and
trade, attend a meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on
Commerce and Trade and address a management and training
organisation.
    However, U.S. Officials said a chief purpose of Baldrige's
visit would be to discuss relaxed U.S. Rules for transferring
modern technology to Chinese industries.
    In Hong Kong, Baldrige will hold meetings on April 27 with
Governor David Wilson and Trade and Industry Secretary Eric Ho,
as well as addressing the American Chamber of Commerce.
    U.S. Officials said Baldrige will meet Philippines
President Corazon Aquino on April 28 to show continued U.S.
Support for her government and to discuss steps it could take
to improve the atmosphere for American investment.
    He will also will meet Finance Secretary Jaime Ongpin and
Trade and Industry Secretary Jose Concepcion.
 REUTER
