Reuters: Politics

China looms as key challenge on Obama's Asia tour

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:54:47 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama leaves for Asia on Thursday with the U.S. economy, jobs and a yawning trade deficit with China looming large on his agenda.

Clinton: U.S. concerned about Afghan corruption

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 05:50:39 -0500

MANILA (Reuters) - The United States is concerned about corruption and poor governance in Afghanistan and has raised those issues with the administration of President Hamid Karzai, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Thursday.

Get ready, America: Here comes Sarah Palin

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:57:03 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Get ready, America. Like her or not, Sarah Palin is coming to a city near you.

China warns Obama about Dalai Lama, citing Lincoln on slavery

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 04:30:43 -0500

BEIJING (Reuters) - A Chinese government spokesman said Barack Obama should be especially sympathetic to China's opposition to the Dalai Lama and Tibetan independence, as a black president who lauded Abraham Lincoln for helping abolish slavery.

Obama pushes for changes in Afghan strategy options

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:45:07 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama pushed his Afghan war council Wednesday for revisions in strategy options presented to him before he will go ahead with a final decision on boosting troop levels in Afghanistan, a senior U.S. official said.

U.S., Myanmar leaders may cross paths at ASEAN: Clinton

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:26:22 -0500

MANILA (Reuters) - President Barack Obama has no plans for talks with Myanmar's leaders on the sidelines of a weekend Asian summit, but Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said the opportunity might arise for her or Obama to meet them.

U.S. keeps pressure on Abbas after Netanyahu visit

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:30:35 -0500

PARIS (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's low-profile White House visit, widely portrayed as frosty, in fact broke the ice in his relations with President Barack Obama, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday.

U.S. yuan critics urge Obama keep campaign promise

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:26:29 -0500

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. critics of China's currency policy said on Wednesday they were skeptical of a hint from Beijing that it could soon let its yuan rise against the dollar again after an 18-month hiatus.

Japan to reassure U.S. on alliance at summit

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 06:39:44 -0500

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan will reassure the United States that their alliance is in good shape, Tokyo said on Thursday, as a feud over a Marine base strains relations ahead of a visit by President Barack Obama.

U.S., Asian finance ministers see common goals

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:13:41 -0500

SINGAPORE (Reuters) - The United States and Asia are inextricably linked and must work together to build a more stable economy, top U.S., Indonesian and Singaporean finance officials wrote in an editorial to be published on Thursday.