Treat us the way we treat you: Bush

US President will tell India that he expects fair dealing in the two countries' expanding trade relationship.

US President George W Bush took his message of a more competitive America back to the nation's heartland during a visit next month.

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Bush promised to tell India that he expects fair dealing in the two countries' expanding trade relationship.

He told an audience in Ohio, where he went with one of the Midwestern state's senators, George Voinovich, that "The delegation is concerned about trade that is fair and free."

"He wants the manufacturers here in Ohio to be treated fairly in places like China. I assured him I understand it's part of my job," he added.

Bush said, "I'm going to India at the end of this month, and I'm going to make it clear with the Indians. 'We look forward to trading with you, but just treat us the way we treat you.' That's all we ask."

The Ohio stop was the latest for Bush in a series of visits to promote his American Competitiveness Initiative, which he announced it in his State of the Union address last month.

His message is important, Bush told the Ohio audience, "because we can compete with anybody, anytime, anywhere, so long as the rules are fair."

"People see China and India out there looming as competitors, and the reaction with some is, let's don't compete; let's just kind of shut her down; let's get protectionist; or, why don't we isolate?" he said.

"I have a different point of view. My attitude is, we shouldn't fear the future, we ought to shape the future. My attitude is, the United States of America must continue to be the leader in the world economy, for the good of our people."