Obama - "First Pacific President or Supplicant?" - APEC

I think you're absolutely right and your comments complement what most economist have said for at least five years. The combination of China, Japan and India will be a potent force.

Attending APEC in 1997 as a US delegate at the Conference on Information Literacy, it was clear to me that China was a powerhouse of influence, though other forces were on the move too, and that includes representatives from South America. Australians influenced with ideas, though being geographically handicapped, that is about all. Japan was the host and provided management power, notably, Professor Yoshio Sugasawa, Nihon University. Canadians provided warm and cozy faciliation.

JEEZ! America's first Pacific president? This guy is quite the transcontinentalist! (I just made that word up) Do you know if he plans to visit the troops in Afghanistan? Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! BHO is a real piece of work . . . .

Thanks nanute and Rory for your comments.

ty, good post

THey say Free trade barriers the US implement will be a detriment to US industry vying for lucrative contracts for heavy equipment such as equipment for road building and other infrastructure projects in asia.'

While that may be true, do you really think Catepillar has a chance of getting those contracts when they have Hyuandi over there making heavy equipment, not to mention all the heavy equipment made in china, heavy equipment technology scammed from the US?  If anyone thinks Free Trade is Free, knows it rarely works both way in Asia, it is corruption, back room deals and scams.  THousands of executed chinese executives cant be wrong?

thanks for your comments Barry:)

The issues of the imbalance of trade are being addressed with the focus on China importing American goods in balance with Chinese imports to the U.S.. The tariffs on tires and steel pipe  were important concessions favoring American manufacturers but represents a small portion of the total traded between our countries. 

 Chinese currency has long been considered undervalued, and Beijing has connected the yuan to the dollar since the financial crisis began, and it has recently declined with the declining American dollar, making China's exports even more attractive. This has given China a larger share of exports even though exports as a whole worldwide have shrunk.  However, this amounts to only a fraction of the $212 billion in trade between the U.S. and China this year; therefore, the claims of American "protectionism" are largely unfounded.  However, the Chinese might view this as a trend and are compelled to voice opposition.  

The Chinese want assurances, and rightly so,  that the U.S. will control inflation to secure the $797-billion investment  the Chinese have in U.S. treasuries.

Catepillar and their foreign competitors will be vying for the Asian market, this is true; however, like the tire industry, the quality, innovation and industry standard is set by Catepillar and has for many years. Rather than entering the market as competitors, it behooves the U.S. to form parterships with Asian companies in development and contract sharing, which they have already done in Japan.  This is one more reason why Obama's trip is important in creating cooperative relationships with Asia in these emerging markets.