The Obama administration has invested in putting US-China relations on stronger footing than they were under President Bush, and Obama’s meeting with Chinese premier Wen Jiabao seeks to keep what administration officials consider “one of the world’s obviously essential bilateral relationships” moving forward. Among issues to be discussed: Iran and the global economy. Some in Congress are pressing for a tougher US approach to the Chinese on both. As yet unclear: how deeply the president will delve into the issue of “currency manipulation” with Mr. Wen.
Obama will also hold separate meetings with the presidents of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, demonstrating the administration’s interest in Central Asia and, in particular, the roles those countries play in prospects for stability in Afghanistan.
