Obama regrets missing Asia trip with trade talks
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WASHINGTON - President Barack Obama says he regrets not being in Asia this week to help negotiate a trade deal that could create US jobs.
Obama says he doesn't know for sure if he would have been able to secure a trade deal with a dozen countries called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. But he told reporters at the White House, quote, ``It doesn't help that I wasn't there.''
Obama canceled his trip to four Asian countries to deal with the partial government shutdown.
He said he's sure ``the Chinese don't mind'' that he's missing the trip so they can push their agenda without US competition.
Obama said he would characterize the short-term impact as ``missed opportunities,'' but he doesn't think it will do lasting damage to US influence in the region.
