Korea did not raise the living standard of its people by closing itself off from the outside world. Today, Korea stands as America's seventh largest trading partner. With me on my trip are executives from some of America's leading companies, many with interests in expanding business with Korean companies and Korean consumers. This nation owes much of its economic miracle to open markets abroad. Korea must see clearly that prosperity in the new century ahead lies in open markets.
Trade is one activity where the interests of all nations intersect.
But my allegiance to the American worker is not at odds with the interests of the Korean consumer. Trade is not a zero-sum game enriching some nations at the expense of the others. Growing trade provides the people of both our nations with higher standards of living and better lives. Pressures for protectionism are building. We see it in my country, with the new breed of economic isolationists who urge us to build barriers to expanding trade and opportunity.