Asia-Pacific Leaders Meet Obama

Singapore, Saturday - Despite arriving late from Japan, the United States President Barack Obama, Saturday (14/11) night, come join the banquet, wearing colorful clothes specially designed for guests 21 leaders of member Economic Cooperation Forum Asia Pacific or APEC.

On the other leaders brought driving to the Esplanade arts building with a rickshaw, a kind dikayuh old pedicab man with hat (cap) wide.

Many VIP guests, including Prime Minister (PM) Abhisit Vejjajiva Thailand and South Korean President Lee Myung-bak, smiled broadly when he was brought driving slowly.

Chilean President Michelle Bachelet was talking warmly through a cell phone while driving a rickshaw carried by many people.

As with tradition at the annual APEC summit, the leaders of Asia-Pacific countries are asked to wear these clothes host culture results, this time designed Singapore's leading designer, Wykidd Song.

The leaders of men wearing long-sleeved linen shirt with mandarin collar, with mixture of China, Malays, and Indians-cultures exist in Singapore.

Obama highlighted

Started his visit to Asia this time, U.S. President Barack Obama chose Japan as the first speech.

There is a possibility, according to some observers, Obama will be highlighted in relation to economic policies which tend to be protectionist.

"President Obama likely to face political opposition as against the (current) free trade," said Mexican President Felipe Calderon in Singapore. This commentary expressed doubts related to Obama's government to fully implement the Treaty of NFTA for North America.

"The paradox is cruel in the global economy that what killed the companies was the inefficiency and lack of competition. Thus, protectionism that killed the companies in North America, "he said.

According to Calderon, not only the U.S. Government (acting tends to protectionist). In fact, the U.S. Congress is also likely not in line with the free market, especially after the U.S. worst hit by the economic crisis after World War II.

Meanwhile, world leaders, including Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank, in Singapore warned that protectionism could hinder economic recovery from exposure to the crisis.

However, there is also a bit of relief when in Japan the day before Obama said that the U.S. will establish partnerships with countries Trans-Pacific (TPP). TPP trade zone includes the U.S., Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore. Australia, Peru, and Vietnam joined rumored to be following.