HONOLULU — President Barack Obama says the U.S. will not be able to put people back to work and expand opportunity unless the Asia-Pacific region also is successful.
The president called the region "absolutely critical" to America's growth, and a top priority for his administration, as he welcomed leaders of the 21-economy Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum to a summit in his home state of Hawaii.
And Obama said he hoped for progress Sunday toward the goal of a seamless regional economy.
Obama was meeting throughout the day with leaders of nations from Chile to China that account for roughly half of the world's trade. He was to cap the summit with a solo news conference.
It's part of a nine-day trip that will also take him to Australia and Indonesia.
By Andrew P. Napolitano
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