Singapore warns Obama: Do more to counter a rising China In Washington, Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says that the US must strengthen its economic ties in Asia to maintain a leadership role and balance the rise of China. By Howard LaFranchi, Staff writer / April 3, 2013 Barack Obama may fancy himself the âAsia pivotâ president, but some Asian leaders are warning that the US is still not doing enough to meet the challenge of a rapidly rising China. The prime minister of Singapore â one of Americaâs most reliable partners in Southeast Asia and its 11th largest trading partner â is in Washington this week delivering a cautionary message: We want the United States and its leadership and stabilizing power in the region, but you are falling behind China, especially in terms of economic relations and trade. âOver the last decade, China has become the top trading partner of almost all Southeast Asian nations, including US allies such as the Philippines and Thailand,â Singaporeâs Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at a Washington dinner Tuesday night sponsored by the US Chamber of Commerce and the US-ASEAN Business Council. A first step the US should take to begin addressing Chinaâs rise, according to Mr. Lee: âThe US must adopt a more active trade strategy with ASEAN,â the 10 countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. âIn Asia,â he added, âtrade is strategy.â http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Foreig...warns-Obama-Do-more-to-counter-a-rising-China Obama doesn't know what is going on.
Because he won't listen to his advisors who have experience and knowledge (if there are any) when he does take the time to go to meetings. I'm not sure he goes to any meetings that aren't about writing speeches and campaigning for his pet projects making sequester painful, gun control and legalizing criminal aliens. Like he supposedly told Panetta the night of Benghazi. "Just do what you think is right. I have a party to go to." (paraphrased)