Caterpillar: Korean trade deal will mean Ill. jobs

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PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Caterpillar Inc. officials believe the United States’ potential new trade deal with South Korea will mean new jobs at its manufacturing sites in central Illinois.

Caterpillar spokeswoman Bridget Young told the (Peoria) Journal Star on Monday that previous trade deals with Chile and Australia have helped the heavy-equipment maker add jobs in the region. Caterpillar is based in Peoria. She didn’t mention any specific plans by the company, though.

Young says Caterpillar learned earlier this year during a visit to Peoria by South Korean officials about the country’s plans to build up its infrastructure through projects that require the kind of machinery Cat makes.

The trade deal was signed off on in 2007 but has since been reworked. It still needs the approval of Congress.