WASHINGTON, July 2, 2008 (AFP) - President George W. Bush said Wednesday that he would reiterate a 'strong dollar' policy at the upcoming Group of Eight summit while opposing moves toward protectionism.

'We're strong dollar people in this administration and have always been for a strong dollar,' Bush told journalists at the White House when asked about the troubles of the US currency.

'And (we) believe that the relative strengths of our economy will reflect that. One thing we need to make clear when I'm with our partners is that we're not going to become protectionists. We believe in free trade and open markets. One of the fears around the world is that the United States becomes a protectionist nation.'