BRISBANE, Australia—President Barack Obama sought to reassure Asian -Pacific allies that he is committed to rebalancing Washington’s relationship with the fast-growing region, as crises from the Middle East to Africa have diverted his attention from a so-called Asia pivot that was among his top foreign policies.
In a speech on the sidelines of a meeting of the Group of 20 major economies here Saturday, Obama also said new climate, trade and military deals agreed with China earlier this week did not come at the expense of U.S. support for the region’s smaller countries, many of whom find themselves at odds with an increasingly assertive Beijing.
Outlining his vision for Asia policy during the final two years of his presidency, Obama cited territorial disputes, human rights abuses, a reluctance to address climate change and a nuclear North Korea as having the potential to undermine progress in Asia. He called on other nations to work alongside the U.S. through military exercises, strengthened missile defense, and an increased troop presence in places such as Australia.
“There have been times when people have been skeptical of this rebalancing. And it’s true that pressing events around the world demand our attention,” Obama said. “I’m here today to say that American leadership in the Asia Pacific will always be a fundamental focus of my foreign policy.”
In what appeared to be a message to allies who may be skeptical of an apparent reset of U.S.-China relations following a period of tensions between Washington and Beijing, Obama said “any effective security order for Asia must be based—not on spheres of influence, or coercion or intimidation where big nations bully the small—but on alliances for mutual security, international law and norms that are upheld, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.”
The president said stronger ties between the U.S. and China benefited other nations, adding that he would encourage Beijing to abide by rules “in trade and on the seas.”
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