President Still Plans to Attend APEC Summit
President Barack Obama still aims to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in Bali from Oct. 7-8 despite the on-going government shutdown, according to the White House (here). The U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman previously called the APEC summit a “milestone” opportunity for Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations.
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The president’s absence would hamper potential negotiation progress, National Foreign Trade Council President Bill Reinsch said on Oct. 2 (see 13100212). Due to a lapse in funding the president canceled (here) a trip this week to Malaysia, opting to send Froman and Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. The president also canceled (here) a planned trip to the Philippines, choosing to send Secretary of State John Kerry in his stead.