Deukmejian Plans Pacific Rim Trade Trip

Gov. George Deukmejian, who has been trumpeting improved overseas trade as a major goal of his Administration, disclosed Tuesday that he plans a trade visit this summer to Pacific Rim nations.

A spokesman for the governor said the trip could include stops in Australia, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Korea, although no final decisions have been made.

Deukmejian, who has intentionally left vague his future political plans, also said he will announce “early next year” whether he will seek a third term in 1990 after considering a number of factors, including the outcome of the November elections.

“I just want to see what the landscape looks like,” Deukmejian said.

The governor made his remarks to a luncheon meeting of Associated Press editors.

Deukmejian has shown a budding interest in foreign policy matters during his second term and traveled last year to Japan, London, Brussels and Paris to deliver his message that more must be done to open markets to California products. Later this year, Deukmejian is also expected to travel to Mexico City for the opening of California’s third foreign trade and investment office.

The trade offices in Mexico, Japan and London are the first authorized since 1968, when then-Gov. Ronald Reagan closed similar operations in Frankfurt, West Germany; Tokyo, and Mexico City because of budget problems.

Deukmejian said he intends to have discussions with both political and business leaders of the Pacific Rim nations to “encourage and to strengthen our activities in the international, global marketplace.”