Pablo Martinez Monsivais / AP
APEC – Gregory Clark, over at Japan Times, argues that APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) is an obsolete framework that was never very affective in the first place. If one agrees with him or not, he gives a good background on the history of various political-economic groupings in East-Southeast Asian region since the Cold War.
Obama’s Trip to Asia: While on his first presidential trip to Asia, Barack Obama stated in Tokyo:
“The United States does not seek to contain China, nor does a deeper relationship with China mean a weakening of our bilateral alliances,” Obama said.
“On the contrary, the rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations,” he said.
If you believe that I have an igloo in Iraq to sell you! The Obama Administration wants a China it can work with and control for reasons discussed previously on this blog.
During his trip Obama will also focus on the Trans-Pacific Partnership – a free trade agreement among Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei, despite the current global economic climate being more conducive to nationalist protectionism. The agreement is considered as the foundation for a launch pad for a full 021-member APEC free trade zone.
Mr. Obama also assured APEC members that the United States would “strive to consume less, save more and restructure its economy”; however, he also asked Asian nations stimulate their own domestic economies and become less dependent on American consumption.
Barack Obama’s visit to the APEC summit was the first time a U.S. president sat in a room with all ASEAN member-state leaders. President Obama even met with Myanmar Prime Minister Thein Sein but failed to get a statement regarding the release of political prisoners mentioned in a joint ASEAN communiqué. The White House is claiming they never expected the Burmese junta to accept such a statement.
Philippines – On Hillary Clinton’s recent trip to the Philippines, she reiterated the Obama Administrations support for the Philippines in its typhoon recovery and its conflict with Muslim separatist in the southern part of the archipelago. She also rejected calls by some Filipino Senators to amend the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). The agreement allows for some 600 troops stationed in the country as military advisers. Many opposed to the agreement believe that American soldiers are violating it by actively participating in military offensives on Filipino territory.
