adminPacific president”, has overseen a shift in focus away from the Middle East to the Asia Pacific.
At the just wrapped-up APEC Summit he hosted in Hawaii, Obama tried to push his framework agreement for a smaller trade group, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) under the leadership of the US, which is expected to act as a replacement for APEC.
This somewhat aroused concerns of China which believes the TPP is supposed to be complementary to APEC, rather than its replacement.
“Pacific president” Obama this weekend will kick- start his Asian trip to Australia, and then Indonesia where he will attend the 19th ASEAN Summit.
His visit is designed to re-assert Washington’s Pacific priorities, which is said to be welcome by his allies, as “China’s increasingly assertive posture has unnerved several neighbours.”
In Australia, Obama is expected to announce a major boost in military ties, giving US forces permanent access to Australian bases in northern Australia, close to Indonesia.
That would make it much easier for them to reach key shipping lanes in the South China Sea.
President Obama’s trip comes at a crucial time back home, as he continues his struggle to jolt the US economy out of recession. By touring Asia, Obama will also be sending a message to Americans back home: He has got to make the case that if the embattled economy is to move out of nightmare Asia is part of the answer.
Also, complex economic and security relationships with China, including regional rivalries over the South China Sea are a backdrop to Obama’s travels.
Noteworthily, the plan to station marines at an existing base outside the northern Australian city of Darwin, on the doorstep of South East Asia, would allow the US to disperse its forces more widely in the region – in particular, away from Japan and the US territory of Guam, which are said to be “within range of the new generation of Chinese ballistic missiles.” – Xinhua.
Online Reporter