Obama sets off for Asia

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama left for Asia on Thursday with the US economy, jobs and a huge trade deficit with China looming large on his agenda.

US President Barack Obama waves from Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, November 12, 2009. Obama departed Washington Thursday to begin his first trip to Asia as President. [Agencies]

Global climate change, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Iranian nuclear disputes and Obama's review of his Afghanistan strategy are also major topics for his talks with the Chinese and other officials on the first trip to Asia of his presidency.

"I will be meeting with leaders abroad to discuss a strategy for growth that is both balanced and broadly shared," Obama said at the White House before departing for Japan, underlining the economic focus of his week-long trip.

"It is a strategy in which Asia and Pacific markets are open to our exports and one in which prosperity around the world is no longer as dependent on American consumption and borrowing but rather on American innovation and products."