The Philippines’ leader met with Indonesian President Joko Widodo and they reportedly discussed the issue of sea piracy that is prevalent in the South China Sea. “This is where the action is going to be when it comes to commerce and trade, and ultimately creating U.S.jobs by being able to sell to this market”. Obama is returning to Washington Friday from a nine-day trip to Asia. When Chinese officials refused to roll out a staircase for Air Force One at the G20 summit, American and Chinese diplomats ended up screaming at each other on the tarmac where Obama landed.
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During an overnight visit to Indonesia on Friday, Duterte announced that Beijing had promised to offer help in building drug rehabilitation centres for the treatment of Filipino crystal meth users.
The President explained that it was the media that put a spin on his statement, made in reply to a question at a press conference last Monday shortly before he left for Vientiane, Laos to attend the ASEAN Leaders summit.
Philippines ambassador to the United States, Marciano Paynor, said the tiff with Obama was part of a learning curve for Duterte, who needed a chance to make the transition from being a city mayor to a head of state.
“As far as I can tell it’s been terrific”, the president said of his reception in Asia broadly, noting that the primary concern he’s heard in Asia is not about the success of US engagement but whether it will continue after he leaves office.
President Rodrigo Duterte turned heads with his controversial statement at the Davao International Airport before he headed to the ASEAN Summit in Laos. There is a long record of similar glitches in the U.S.
“I am not ready to concede”, Mr Obama said, adding that his administration was making progress in reducing the prison’s population. He praised Obama for the way he handled the insult.
“As far as Mr. Trump, I think I’ve already offered my opinion”, Obama said. “And so it means a great deal to me, not only as president, but also personally, that over the past eight years we’ve increased cooperation between ASEAN countries and the United States”.
On a visit to the Indonesian capital on Friday, Duterte told a group of Filipinos that the slur was not directed at the US president and that he had told him so.
“.I said that, but not in relation to Obama”, he said. “But it won’t hurt to have a popular President on our side”, the senator said.
German added that PR might work for Duterte, but only “if he listens”.
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He also vowed to “kick (Obama) in front of reporters” if the USA leader brought up the issue.
