Barack Obama is embarking on his first trip to Asia as president this week, acknowledging the region's economic and diplomatic significance to the United States amidst a myriad of domestic issues. The trip will include attendance at an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Singapore, but the main focus will be on China, with whom the U.S. shares a complex relationship as the largest holder of U.S. foreign debt and second-largest trading partner. Obama views China as both a crucial partner and competitor, emphasizing the importance of maintaining friendly competition within established international rules to ensure responsible behavior globally. Ben Rhodes, a deputy national security adviser, stated that America recognizes the importance of Asia in the 21st century and plans to engage in a comprehensive way to address various critical issues for prosperity and security. North Korea, Iran, the global economy and trade, climate change, energy, human rights, Afghanistan, and Pakistan will receive significant attention. Obama will also discuss U.S. engagement with Asia during his visit to Tokyo, and in China, he will meet with President Hu Jintao and Premier Wen Jiabao. The purpose of the trip is to emphasize the United States' strong involvement with Asia, following a period of focusing on the threat of Islamic extremism in the region. However, President Obama's attention is currently occupied by domestic concerns such as healthcare reform, unemployment, and decisions regarding troop deployments in Afghanistan, which may hinder progress on climate change and trade issues during his Asian visit. Opposition from various groups in the U.S., including businesses and labor unions, makes it unlikely for Obama to aggressively pursue agreements like a free trade deal with South Korea. Despite this, there are indications that the administration will eventually return to trade negotiations once these domestic issues are addressed. "He expressed uncertainty about whether Asian leaders hold that belief. With Obama's extremely high approval ratings in the countries he is traveling to, tangible outcomes might not be the main focus. Observers and government officials highlight that Obama has been in power for less than a year, and view this trip as primarily setting the stage for future collaboration. "President Obama is widely admired in all the nations he is visiting." Jeffrey Bader, senior director for East Asian affairs at the National Security Council, stated that he has not viewed the most recent polls but he found the numbers he has seen to be impressive. He emphasized the importance of having someone with high levels of respect, affection, and admiration, as their message is more likely to resonate compared to someone with a low approval rating.