U.S. trade chief heads to Russia

U.S. trade chief heads to Russia    U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will lead a delegation to St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday for the 13th annual International Economic Forum.
   During the forum, Kirk will speak on a panel about strengthening the role of international cooperation and opposing protectionism.
   He will also participate in a dialogue with U.S. and Russian business leaders to discuss increasing U.S.-Russia commercial ties, and meet with senior Russian government officials to discuss bilateral trade, including Russia's ongoing bans on U.S. pork, beef and poultry products.
   Russia is the United States' 23rd-largest goods trading partner with $36.1 billion in total two-way goods trade in 2008. Exports reached $9.3 billion, while imports totaled $26.8 billion, according to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative.