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    November 14, 2011

APEC Leaders See Trade Progress, Risks From Euro Crisis

   Michael O'Sullivan | Honolulu
   U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at his news conference at the
   conclusion of the APEC Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii, November 13, 2011.
   Photo: Reuters
   U.S. President Barack Obama speaks at his news conference at the
   conclusion of the APEC Summit in Honolulu, Hawaii, November 13, 2011.

   The leaders of 21 Asia Pacific trading partners have ended their annual
   summit, which was hosted this year by U.S. President Barack Obama in
   his home state of Hawaii. The leaders of the Asia Pacific Economic
   Cooperation forum say they have made progress toward more open trade in
   the region at a time of significant risks from the European debt
   crisis.
   The president told APEC leaders Sunday the United States is committed
   to open trade in the Asia Pacific region, where Washington hopes to
   create a seamless economy.
   He notes that APEC includes nearly 3 billion people and several top
   U.S. trading partners, including Japan and China.

   'This is where we do most of our trade and where we sell most of our
   exports. It's also the fastest growing region in the world. And as a
   consequence, the Asia Pacific region is key to achieving my goal of
   doubling U.S. exports and creating new jobs,' said Obama.
   Obama held bilateral talks with the leaders of China, Japan, Russia.
   In earlier meetings, U.S. officials, including Secretary of State
   Hillary Clinton, spoke with their counterparts about regional trade
   issues and global strategic concerns. The United States has applauded
   an agreement for talks aimed at creating a Trans-Pacific Partnership.
   Negotiations so far have involved nine members, including the United
   States. Now Mexico, Japan and Canada say they want to join the
   dialogue.
   APEC leaders hope to strengthen trade ties in their part of the world
   to counteract the financial crisis in Europe. And U.S. officials have
   urged export-driven countries like China to boost domestic demand to
   help insulate the region from global financial problems.
   The summit has brought traffic jams and some problems for tourists, but
   gave Obama a chance to show off his home state of Hawaii.
   Protesters opposed to globalization got their message out. So did the
   meditation group Falun Gong, which protested the suppression of its
   organization in China.
   Those who want an independent Hawaii, including high school teacher
   John Lopes, also made appeals to APEC delegates.
   'Maybe one of those people in the APEC will recognize what we are doing
   and maybe recognize us as a nation,' said Lopes.
   Inside the meeting venues, officials say they made progress in their
   goals of economic integration of the Asia Pacific region, reducing
   tariffs on green technologies, and regulatory reform to foster trade.

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