Category: November 2011

WASHINGTON—In this week’s address, President Obama spoke from the USS Carl Vinson in San Diego during Veterans Day, and he called on all Americans to rededicate themselves to serving our brave men and women in uniform as well as they have served us.  Today, there are more than 850,000 veterans unemployed, which is why the…

I applaud the important decisions taken by the Arab League today, including the suspension of Syria’s membership, consideration of economic sanctions, and downgrading of diplomatic relations.  After the Assad regime flagrantly failed to keep its commitments, the Arab League has demonstrated leadership in its effort to end the crisis and hold the Syrian government accountable. …

President Obama announced in November 2009 the United States’ intention to participate in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations to conclude an ambitious, next-generation, Asia-Pacific trade agreement that reflects U.S. priorities and values.  Through this agreement, we are seeking to boost U.S. economic growth and support the creation and retention of high-quality jobs at home by…

We, the Leaders of Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, United States, and Vietnam, are pleased to announce today the broad outlines of a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement among our nine countries.  We are delighted to have achieved this milestone in our common vision to establish a comprehensive, next-generation regional agreement that…

President Obama and the 21 leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic cooperation (APEC) forum will launch this weekend a new “APEC Travel Facilitation Initiative” to make travel across the Asia-Pacific region easier, faster, and more secure.  In a first step, President Obama today in Honolulu signed legislation to allow issuance of the APEC Business Travel Card…

On Saturday, November 12, 2011, the President signed into law: S. 1487, the “Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards Act of 2011,” which authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to issue Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Travel Cards to eligible business leaders and U.S. Government officials actively engaged in Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation business.

The President and Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda had a good discussion today on a range of issues, including APEC and the upcoming East Asia Summit, and next steps on Futenma relocation.  The leaders also talked about Japan’s interest in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.  Prime Minister Noda noted that he had decided to begin consultations…

11:40 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Ric Shinseki, for your extraordinary service to our country and your tireless commitment to our veterans; to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta; to Chairman Dempsey and Mrs. Dempsey; to our wonderful veterans service organizations for the extraordinary work that you do for our nation’s heroes; to all who…

USS Carl Vinson San Diego, California 4:10 P.M. PST THE PRESIDENT:  Hello, everybody!  How you feeling tonight? (Applause.)  We are so fortunate to be able to witness two of the greatest basketball programs in history — (applause) — Michigan State Spartans, North Carolina Tar Heels.  (Applause.)  Two of the best coaches of all time —…