WASHINGTON — His influence at home fading, President Barack Obama is looking abroad to China, the opening stop of a three-country trip that will test his ability to play a commanding global role during his final two years in office.
Once, Obama was treated like a superstar on the world stage. But he will arrive in Beijing on Monday under far different conditions. At home, Republicans are rejoicing at having pummeled Obama’s party in the midterm elections. His counterparts in Asia surely have noticed.
The trip also marks one of Obama’s final chances to deliver on his goal to amplify America’s influence in Asia and the Pacific. In China, Myanmar and Australia, leaders might render a judgment on whether Obama’s lofty ambitions in the region have been sidetracked by crises in Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
“This is going to be a tough trip for the president,” said Ernest Bower, an Asia Studies expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. He said Asian leaders will view Obama’s visit with this question in mind: Who is the president after the midterm elections?
“They’ll be trying to discern whether he has the commitment and political capital to follow through,” Bower said.
During his three days in China, Obama planned to give a speech about U.S. ties to Asia at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and meet with President Xi Jinping.
