President Obama Begins Foreign Trip in Thailand: 'The U.S. Is a Pacific Nation'

President Obama began his first foreign trip since the election. His first stop was in Thailand, where he joined Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra in a joint press conference. President Obama reinforced that, “The United States is and always will be a Pacific nation. As the fastest growing region in the world, the Asia-Pacific will shape so much of our security and prosperity in the century ahead, and it is critical to creating jobs and opportunity for the American people.”

Part of the strategy the president outlined is treaty alliances between the two nations. He reaffirmed the importance of democracy and universal human rights.

Furthermore, the U.S. and Thailand are deepening security cooperation by improving how the militaries operate together.

Tomorrow, President Obama will continue his Asia-Pacific tour and will become the first sitting U.S. president to visit Burma.