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The daily ups and downs of US relations with Asia and Russia get a lot of attention. But American executives attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit said that receptivity for American products and companies is high in the region. US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton predicted Russia's entry last month into the World Trade Organization will be a boost for American companies. "It pays to join the rules-based trading system," she told APEC delegates. "Russia's trading partners stand to benefit as well. American exports to Russia could double or even triple." After her speech, American executives shared her optimism about Russia and Asia. Scott Price, president of Wal-Mart Asia, said Wal-Mart is the only major retailer opening new stores in Japan. "For 79 percent of Chinese, 72 percent of Indians, 70 percent of Japanese these days - the most important to them is the price," he said. "So If you are bringing in quality products at the best price, you get your customer sentiment, they are not worried about whether your brand is American, French, Chinese or not, they want to be confident in the quality." In Russia, James Turley, chairman of Ernst & Young, the American accounting and advisory firm, just announced he is opening an office in Vladivostok. "Foreign investors in Russia - Americans, Western European countries - feel very positive once they are here and they have invested and they learn how to work in Russia," said Turley, a frequent visitor to Russia. "Those companies that have been here for a long time want to increase their investment not decrease it. Companies that have not yet invested in Russia are still a little bit skittish." | 
