Obama: US will not 'contain' Chinese exports

Sat Nov 14 2009 17:15:35

President Barack Obama has said that America will not seek to "contain" China's rise to prominence as a key player in world trade.

Mr Obama arrived in Singapore on Saturday for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit, and repeated his call to redress the economic imbalances blamed by many for the global financial crisis.

He said the US would need to save more, spend less, reform its financial system and cut its deficits and borrowing.

Fresh government figures on the US trade deficit, which grew by over 18 per cent to $36.5 billion in September, could add urgency to Obama's efforts to seek greater export opportunities in China and other Asian countries.

"The rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations," Mr Obama said earlier, in a speech in the Japanese capital, Tokyo.

He added that better US ties with Beijing would not mean a weakening of relations with US allies in the region. The Hawaiian born leader described himself as the first "Pacific" US president, and said the US was committed to the area's security.

Mr Obama will finish his week-long Asian tour with stops in China and South Korea.

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