APEC issues mount for Washington
From Senior White House Correspondent John King
(CNN) -- U.S. President Bush's first post-election international trip -- to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Chile -- has highlighted the White House's desire to tackle the issue of North Korea's nuclear threat.
But Bush's partners in the talks -- China, Japan, South Korea and Russia -- all to varying degrees suggest North Korea isn't the only obstacle to progress, and that Bush could offer security and other incentives.
APEC is an economic club by name, known for its colorful class photos.
Security has dominated the agenda in recent years, especially after the September 11 attacks, but some leaders want to refocus on pocketbook issues, and put their stamp on Bush's second term agenda.
"We're going to see leaders turn to the American president and say 'what about your budget deficit, what about the weak dollar, what about rising oil prices in the world'?" said Wendy Sherman, a former assistant secretary of state during the Clinton administration.
Russia's Vladimir Putin publicly endorsed a second Bush term, but Moscow's announcement of a new weapon has some thinking it is time for Bush to turn tougher with a leader critics say has turned too autocratic.
"The Bush administration is going to have to take the gloves off a little bit and be a little bit more head strong about where President Putin is leading his country," Sherman said.
China's economic transition and trade and immigration debates also present tough challenges for the White House.
Beijing's ongoing tensions with Taiwan, trade surplus with the U.S. and a growing appetite for oil are all potential subjects for discussion when Bush meets Asian leaders in Chile this weekend.
However, the United State's desire to rein in a nuclear-armed North Korea remains strong, particularly with fears that such weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists.
Such uncertainties are shared by Seoul.
"We do not say we can fully trust North Korea and the way they have behaved in the international community has been raising concerns," South Korean Foreign Minister Ban Ki-moon said.
CNN Correspondent Stan Grant contributed to this report
