Fresh off the embarrassing midterm election, President Obama, along with 250 business executives, flew off to Asia in search of political agreements and jobs.

Say, what? Yes, the president is off to the land of "outsourcing" in search of American jobs. President Obama said," For America, this is a jobs strategy."

It is expected that the executives along for the ride will ink $10 billion in deals for U.S. companies on this excursion, and support 54,000 U.S. jbs.

Exporting Michigan products and services is a sensible way to grow our state's economy. Metro Detroit, driven by the auto industry, currently ranks 9th on the list of top 100 metro areas for dollar volume of exports, according to Crain's Detroit Business. We need to set a goal to move rapidly up this list.

The president is on the right track and Governor-elect Rick Snyder should be looking to follow in his footsteps. China, India and other Asian nations, with billions of potential new consumers, can be fertile ground to grow Michigan jobs.

In a world where ideas and jobs can and do move around the globe effortlessly, the president understands that our foreign policy goals are inextricably linked to job creation goals right here at home.

With populations of 1.2 billion and 1.3 billion people, respectively, surging middle classes and annual economic growth rates of 8% and 10+%, India and China are ripe for the picking. They want and need American technology and products that have the ability to put OUR people to work!

Furthermore, "with the increasing weakness of the dollar and dramatic improvements in Michigan's manufacturing productivity, the potential for the export of manufactured goods has rarely been better," according to David E. Cole, chairman emeritus at the Ann-Arbor-based Center for Automotive Research.

From apples, berries and corn to cars, hybrid technology, and higher education, Michigan has much to sell in the world marketplace.

The Economist, in a recent article, points out the continued rise of the Chinese economy and increased pay for Chinese workers will likely benefit the world economy: “A 20-percent rise in Chinese consumption might well lead to an extra $25 billion of American exports. That could create 200,000 American jobs.”

President Obama has called for the doubling of U.S. exports in the next 5 years. Is Michigan ready to capture its fair share of this surge? How can we do better? These are the questions that our new governor's economic team must be burning the midnight oil to answer.

Michigan's current governor had avoided traveling to the China, the 2nd largest world economy, for political reasons, thereby missing the opportunity to attract Chinese investment and job creation in Michigan.

In a 2009 Dome Magazine essay, I laid out how the governor, with the help of Michigan's Chinese/American business and academic community, might tap China's rise for our gain. (See China Bridge -- Michigan Stop whining and start building ) The ideas await our new governor's action.

Smart, thoughtful visionary leaders will stop the political pandering, and China/India bashing that have become part and parcel of Michigan's election cycle. Far better to find ways to make the East's rise help manufacturing jobs here at home.

The International District Export Council recently held its conference in Detroit and Windsor, making urgent calls for tapping into the expanding export market for growing jobs here in Michigan. Speakers explained how public-private partnerships, university research, tax and regulatory changes can grease the wheels for expanding jobs and profits.

GM is touting it growth in China as a selling point in its upcoming IPO and Ford found a buyer there for Volvo as well. China's Pacific Century Motors recently purchased Nexteer Automotive in Saginaw from GM, thereby saving 4,000 high paying jobs. Singapore-based Tata Technologies in Novi is currently seeking to fill over 200 positions across North America.

Global trade can and is lifting all boats. David Cote, chairman and CEO of Honeywell and traveling with the President, captures the attitude we need to adopt in Michigan: "Job creation in the age of globalization is not a zero-sum game."

Michigan business leaders, with the help of our state and national political leaders, CAN collaborate and create jobs for the home team.

Remember -- the American people sent a very clear message during last week's elections: It's all about, Jobs, Jobs, Jobs and more jobs!

Tom Watkins is a business and educational consultant in the U.S. and China. He served as state superintendent of schools from 2001-05 and as state mental health director from 1986-1990. He can be reached at tdwatkins@aol.com.