President Obama is getting defensive about his attempts to play offense for the U.S. economy. The President, who is winding up a tour of Asia this weekend, told an economic conference in Yokohama, Japan Saturday that his mission is to bring jobs to America.
"For America, this is a job strategy," Obama told the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference. The President added that he makes "no apologies" for trying to pump up employment in the U.S.
The unemployment rate in the U.S. is currently 9.6%.
In his speech, Obama promoted the idea that economic competition between the U.S. and Asian countries would be a "win-win for all of our nations."
"We are invested in your success because it's connected to our own. We have a stake in your future because our destiny is shared," Obama said.
He claims that every $1 billion dollars in exported goods helps support 5,000 U.S. jobs, The Associated Press reported.
The President is desperate for good economic news.
The stagnant U.S. economy fueled voters' anger in last week's elections, costing Democrats a majority in the House of Representatives.
Obama suffered a pair of diplomatic defeats Friday at the Group of 20 summit, failing to ink a new free-trade agreement with South Korea. The President also was unable to convince world leaders to take a tougher stance against China's currency rates.
The U.S. says the Chinese yuan is undervalued and that gives China an unfair advantage for its exports.
Political scientist Doug Muzzio tells the Daily News that Obama's trip and the midterm elections marks the "worst 10 days of his political life."
The President, however, remains positive that he can still deliver jobs and denied to reporters Saturday that his political defeats at home lost him clout abroad.
"People are eager to work with America, eager to engage with America," he said.
In addition to Japan, President Obama has visited India, Indonesia and South Korea during his Asian tour.
When he returns next week, the President will face a contentious debate with Republicans over whether to extend tax cuts for both middle class and wealthy Americans.
