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The U.S. says it is contemplating on future trade agreements in expanding trade in Asia but insists that countries in the region "play by the rules," reports The Wall Street Journal.

Quoting U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk, the newspaper says that  expanding trade remains a critical part of the United States' strategy of restoring economic growth in the U.S., and that the administration continues to discuss ways to boost trade ties, including with Malaysia and South Korea.

According to the Journal, Kirk dismissed concerns that the the U.S. is becoming more protectionist. "In any mature trade relationship you're going to have irritants," says Kirk at the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' gathering in Singapore, adding "our trade partners have to follow by the rules" of freer trade.
 

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