Gov. Gregoire and the Washington delegation continued to promote the state's ag products by packing Washington apples while climbing a section of the Great Wall. From left are Rep. Bruce Chandler, Director of Agriculture Valoria Loveland, Gov. Gregoire and Sen. Cheryl Pflug.

Trade Mission to Japan & China

Governor Chris Gregoire led a delegation of Washington business, agriculture and education leaders on a trade mission to Japan and China, September 17 to 27, 2005. Both countries offer substantial business potential for Washington companies.

Capitalizing on Washington's competitive advantage in international trade is part of Governor Gregoire's economic development plan for the state; this trade mission was well timed, given the exploding growth in Japanese and Chinese markets.

Governor Gregoire's mission was designed to help small and medium-sized businesses and farmers expand their ability to export to burgeoning Japanese and Chinese markets. Governor Gregoire also campaigned to make sure Washington products are not unfairly excluded from other countries due to tariffs and non-tariff barriers. Governor Gregoire's mission helped eliminate China's high fees on U.S. linerboard, a wood product.

Itinerary & Delegates