WASHINGTON (CNN) -- President Bush warned auto industry leaders Tuesday that they had to make difficult choices to stay competitive and vowed to keep the lines of communication open between government and the industry.

"We'll have a continuing dialogue," the president told reporters in the Oval office after the hour-long meeting. "It's in our interest that in government we find out ways that we'll be able to work to make sure that this industry is as vibrant and solid as possible. And so this is the beginning of a series of discussions we'll have -- not only with me, but also with people in our government."

Bush also told the auto leaders he would press for fair trade on his trip to Asia later this week.

"My message to our trading partners is just treat us the way we treat you," Bush said. "Our markets are open for your products, and we expect your markets to be open for ours, including our automobiles."