In Government Shutdown, U.S. Asia Policy Hits Limitations

The United States continues to face obstacles in its policy of "pivoting" toward the Asia-Pacific. On Oct. 2, the White House canceled President Barack Obama's visit to Malaysia and the Philippines, slated to take place Oct. 11-12, citing "logistical" difficulties as a result of the partial federal government shutdown. Secretary of State John Kerry, Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman will travel in his stead, while Obama himself will not travel to these countries until a later unspecified date. So far, Obama is still expected to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Bali and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) leaders' meeting and East Asia Summit in Brunei from October 7-10, where heads of government will meet. But further cancellations cannot be ruled out.