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Early Start with John Berman and Zoraida Sambolin

Obama Remarks at APEC CEO Summit; Iraq: ISIS Leader Injured in Airstrike

Aired November 10, 2014 - 04:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BARACK OBAMA, PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES: -- helped my administration with strategies for growing high-tech manufacturing to hiring more long-term unemployed. He's just as good at corporate citizenship as he is at running a corporation.

Later, I'll visit Brisbane where I know Andrew spent some of his youth. I'm sure he's got some suggestions for fun there, but not necessarily things that a president can do. So, we don't know how he spent his youth but I'm sure he had some fun.

It is wonderful to be back in China. I'm grateful for the Chinese people's extraordinary hospitality.

This is my sixth trip to Asia as president, my second this year alone. And that's because, as I've said on each of my visits, America's a thoroughly Pacific nation. We've always had a history with Asia. And our future, our security, and our prosperity is inextricably intertwined with Asia.

I know the business leaders in attendance today agree. I've now had the privilege to attend the APEC CEO Summit in Singapore, in Yokohama, and my original hometown of Honolulu, now in Beijing. I think it's safes to that few global forums are watched more closely by the business community.

There's a good reason for that. Taken together, APEC economies account for about 40 percent of the world's population, and nearly 60 percent of its GDP. That means we're home to nearly 3 billion customers and three-fifths of the global economy.

And over the next five years, nearly half of all economic growth outside the United States is projected to come from right here in Asia. That makes this region an incredible opportunity for creating jobs and economic growth in the United States, and any serious leader in America, whether in politics or in commerce, recognizes that fact.

Now, the last time I addressed this CEO summit was three years ago. Today, I've come back at a moment when, around the world, the United States is leading from a position of strength. This year, of course, has seen its share of turmoil and uncertainty. But whether it's our fight to degrade and destroy the terrorist network known as ISIL or contain and combat the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the one constant, the one global necessity, is and has been American leadership.

And that leadership in the world is backed by the renewed strength of our economy at home. Today our businesses have created 10.6 million jobs over the longest uninterrupted stretch of job growth in American history. We're on pace for the best year of job growth since the 1990s.

Since we started creating jobs again the U.S. has put more people back to work than Europe, Japan, and every other advanced economy combined. And when you factor in what's happening in our broader economy, a manufacturing sector that as Andrew said is growing now at a rapid pace, graduation rates that are rising, deficits that have shrunk by two-thirds, health care inflation at 50-year new lows and energy boom at new highs -- when you put this together what you get is an American economy that is primed for steadier, more sustained growth, and better poise to lead and succeed in the 21st century than just about any other nation on Earth.

And you don't have to take our word for it. Take yours. For two years in a row business executives, like all of you, have said that the world's most attractive place to invest is the United States. We're going to go for a three-peat. We're going to try to make it the same this year.

But despite the responsibilities of American leadership around the world, despite our attention to getting our economy growing, there should be no doubt that the United States of America remains entirely committed when it comes to Asia. America is a Pacific power and we are leading to promote shared security and shared economic growth this century, just as we did in the last. In fact, one of my core messages throughout this trip from APEC to the East Asia summit, to the G-20 in Australia, is that working together, we need growth that is balanced, growth that is strong, growth that is sustainable, and growth where prosperity is shared by everybody who's willing to work hard.

As president of the United States I make no apologies for doing what I can that bring new jobs and new industries to America. But I've always said, in the 21st century, the pursuit of economic growth, job creation, and trade is not a zero sum game. One country's prosperity doesn't have to come at the expense of another. If we work together and act together, strengthening economic ties between our nations will benefit all of our nations.

That's true for the nations of APEC. And I believe it's particularly true for the relationship between the United States and China.

(APPLAUSE)

I've had the pleasure of hosting President Xi twice in the United States. The last time we met in California, he pointed out that the Pacific Ocean is big enough for both of our nations. And I agree.

The United States welcomes the rise of a prosperous, peaceful, and stable China. I want to repeat I want to repeat that.

(APPLAUSE) I want to repeat that. We welcome the rise of a prosperous, peaceful and stable China. In fact, in recent decades, the United States has worked to help China integrate China into the global economy, not only because it's in China's best interest, and the world's best interest. We want China to do well.

(APPLAUSE)

We compete for business, but we also seek to cooperate on a broad range of shared challenges and shared opportunities. Whether it's stopping the spread of Ebola or preventing nuclear proliferation or deepening our clean energy partnership and combating climate change -- a leadership role that as the world's two largest economies and two largest carbon emitters, we have a special responsibility to embrace.

If China and the United States can work together, the world benefits. And that's something this audience is acutely interested in.

(APPLAUSE)

We continually have to work to strengthen the bilateral trade and investments between our two nations. America's first trade mission visited China just a year after America's revolution ended. Two hundred thirty years later, we are the two largest economies in the world. The trade and investment relationship we have benefits both of our countries.

China is our fastest growing export market. Chinese direct investment in the United States has risen six-fold over the past five years. Chinese firms directly employ a rapidly growing number of Americans. And all this means jobs for the American people and deepening these ties will mean more jobs and opportunity for both of our peoples.

And that's why I'm very pleased to announce that during my visit, the United States and China have agreed to implement a new arrangement for visas to benefit everyone from students, to tourists, to businesses large and small. Under the current arrangements, visas between our two countries last for only one year. Under the new arrangement, student and exchange visas will be extended to five years and business and tourist visas will be extended to 10 years.

(APPLAUSE)

Of course, that will be good for the business men who are going back and forth all the time, but keep in mind, last year 1.8 million Chinese visitors to the United States contributed $21 billion to our economy and supported more than 100,000 American jobs. This agreement could help us more than quadruple those numbers. I've heard from the American business leaders about how valuable this step will be and we worked hard to achieve this outcome because it clearly serves the mutual interests of both our countries.

So, I'm proud during my visit to China, we mark this breakthrough to benefit our economies and bring our people together and I'm pleased that President Xi is a partner in getting this done. I very much appreciate his work on this. (APPLAUSE)

Deepening our economic ties is why I also hope to make progress with President Xi towards an ambitious and high standard bilateral investment treaty that opens up Chin's economy to American investors, an agreement that could unlock even more progress and more opportunity in both of our countries. We're also working to put in pursuit of an international agreement on the ITA. We will speak directly and candidly, as we always do, about specific actions China can take to help all of us across the Asia-Pacific to expand trade and investment which many of the CEOs I talked to raised in our discussions.

We look to China to create a more level playing field on which foreign companies are treated fairly so they can compete fairly with Chinese companies, a playing field where competition, policy promotes the welfare of consumers and doesn't benefit just one set of companies over another.

We look to China to become an innovative economy that values the protection of intellectual property rights and rejects cyber theft of trade secrets for commercial gain. We look to China to improve bio technology advances that are critical to feeding a growing planet, on the same time line (ph) those other countries, to move definitively on a market determined exchange rate and yes to stand up for human rights and freedom of the press.

We don't suggest these things because they're good for us. We suggest China do these things for the sake of sustainable growth in China and the stability of the Asia-Pacific region. And I look forward to discussing these issues, along with China's concerns and ideas with President Xi over the next few days.

Now, even as America works to deepen other bilateral ties with China, we are focused this week on deepening our ties with all the APEC economies, including reducing barriers to trade and investment so that companies like yours can grow, create new jobs and promote prosperity across the Asia-Pacific region. After all, Asia's largest export market is the United States. That benefits American consumers because it's led to more affordable goods and services.

Six of America's top 10 export markets are APEC economies. And more than 60 percent of our exports, over $1 trillion worth of goods and services are purchased by APEC economies. That supports millions of American jobs.

So, the work that APEC members have done together over the years has lowered tariffs, cut shipping costs, and made it cheaper, easier and faster to do business. And that supports good jobs in all of our nations. We worked together to improve food security and encourage clean energy and promote education and deliver disaster relief, and all of this has made a difference.

But we can always do more. We can do more to reduce barriers to trade and economic growth. Since 2006, we work together towards the ultimately goal of APEC, free trade area of the Asia-Pacific, and APEC has shown a number of pathways with the Trans-Pacific partnership between the United States and 11 other nations.

Once complete, this partnership will bring nearly 40 percent of the global economy under an agreement that means increased trade, greater investment and more jobs for its member countries, a level playing field on which businesses can compete, high standards that protect workers, the environment and intellectual property. And I just met with several other members of the TPP who share my desire to make this agreement a reality. We're going to keep on working to get it done, for we believe that this is the model for trade in the 21st century.

Agreements like this will benefit our economies and people, but they also send a strong message. It is what's important is not whether our economies continue to grow, but how they grow. And what's best for our people isn't a race to the bottom, but a race to the top. Obviously, ensuring the continued growth and stability of the Asia- Pacific requires more than a focus on growth and trade on investment. Steady sustainable growth also requires small businesses to access capital and new markets.

And when about one-third of small businesses in the region are run by women, then steady sustainable growth requires women to participate in the economy. That's true in the United States. That's true everywhere.

Steady and sustainable growth requires promoting policies and practices that keep the Internet open and accessible. Steady and sustainable growth requires a planet where citizens can breathe clean air and drink clean water, and eat safe food, and make a living fishing healthy oceans.

Steady and sustainable growth requires mobilizing the talents and resources of all of our people, regardless of gender, or religion or color or creed, offering them the opportunity to participate in open and transparent political and economic systems. Where we cast a harsh light on bribery and corruption, and well-deserved spotlight on those who strive to play by the rules.

Those are some of the areas we are focusing on in APEC this week and going forward. And obviously, every country is different. No country is following the same model.

But there are things that bind us together and despite our differences, we know there are certain standards and ideals that will benefit all people. We know that if given a choice, our young people would demand more access to the world's information, not less. We know that if allowed to organize, our workers would better demand working conditions that don't hinder them, that keep them safe, that they're looking for stronger labor and environmental safeguards. Not weaker.

We know if given a voice, women wouldn't say give us less. They would speak up for more access to more markets, more access to capital, more seats in our legislature and our boardrooms.

So, these are all key issues in growth as well. Sometimes we focus just on trade and investment and dollars and cents, but these things are important as well. These ideals aren't just topics for summits and state visits. They are touchstones of the world that we're going to leave to our children.

The United States is not just here in Asia to check a box. We're here because we believe our shared future is here in Asia, just as our past has been. We are looking to a future where a worker in any of our countries can afford to provide for his family. Where his daughter can go to school and have a fair shot at success. Where fundamental rights are cherished and protected and not denied.

That future is one where our success is defined less by armies and less by bureaucrats and more by entrepreneurs and innovators, by dreamers and doers, by business leaders who focus as much on the workers they empower as the prosperity that they create. That's the future that we see. That's why we're here. That's why we worked so closely together the past several years.

And as long as I'm America's president, I'm going to be invested in your success because I believe it is essential to our success as well. Thank you very much.

(APPLAUSE)

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: President Obama in Beijing, wrapping up a speech to the APEC CEO Summit. This is the beginning of the week-long trip to Asia. The center of this will be this APEC Summit with world leaders from Asia and Pacific nations.

It was an interesting speech, focusing on really three subjects. One, bolstering the U.S. economy, cheerleading on the U.S. economy. He talked a lot about the U.S. relationship with China and then finally ended up on the U.S. relationship with other nations, talking about the Trans-Pacific partnership, the trade deal the president is trying to get with some of these nations.

CHRISTINE ROMANS, CNN ANCHOR: Very careful too, he doesn't talk very much about human rights abuses. That's something people have long said they like -- human rights advocates would like him to say something in China about that. He mentioned it.

Also about cyber theft and international property rights, he mentioned those things. But again, very careful language when you are in China --

(CROSSTALK)

BERMAN: It is so fascinating listening to what he says and trying to decipher what it means, who the message is being sent. But as you said, he did talk about women's rights. He did talk about workers rights and workplace safety. And he did talk about cyber security, but in ways probably designed not to offend China too much.

ROMANS: Absolutely.

BERMAN: All right. A lot more going on this morning. We're going to take a quick break. We'll be right back. (COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: New this morning: a government official in Iraq is saying the head of ISIS was injured in airstrikes over the weekend. An interior ministry spokesman says Abu Bakr al Baghdadi was wounded in an air attack on in a convoy. Reports conflict over the exact location of the attack and who launched it, Iraq or the U.S.

Pentagon officials say they have no information backing up the claim that al Baghdadi was injured.

President Obama says his decision to send 1,500 more troops to Iraq signals a new phase in the war on ISIS.

Senior international correspondent Arwa Damon standing by for us in Southern Turkey with more.

Good morning, Arwa.

ARWA DAMON, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Christine.

Let's start with those allegations that al-Baghdadi may have been injured in an air strike conducted either by coalition forces or the Iraqis. Now, the Iraqi prime minister's office and ministry of defense have not confirmed that al Baghdadi was wounded. In fact, they have not even commented on it.

What we do know is that according to the U.S., an airstrike was conducted targeting an ISIS convoy outside of Mosul. Who may have been injured in that attack, at this stage, unclear.

There was also another airstrike that the Iraqi minister of interior is claiming the Iraqis carried. That said to have taken place in the town of al-Qa'im, very close to the Iraqi border with Syria also a stronghold of ISIS. There, who exactly was targeted and who may have been killed is unclear at this stage.

When it comes to the 1,500 troops into Iraq, this is for a number of very key reasons. First and foremost, it is evident that the efforts being made at this stage by those troops currently in country are not sufficient. The U.S. and Iraqi government which requested these additional troops feeling an increase in numbers is necessary. U.S. troop numbers will be nearly doubling once those 1,500 do arrive. They will be expected to be based further away from the capital Baghdad and from Irbil, potentially out in al-Anbar province to the west, also to the north.

Now, these troops are meant to bring forth another phase in the operation to try to defeat -- ultimately defeat ISIS. And that is to allow the Iraqi forces to actually gain ground.

So far, coalition air strikes have only served to stop ISIS advance, but unable to allow the Iraqi security forces to gain critical ground. But, of course, what's going to be necessary in all of this is for the Shia-led Iraqi government to bring those Iraqi Sunni tribes on board -- Christine.

ROMANS: Absolutely.

All right. Arwa Damon for us this morning in Turkey -- thank you, Arwa.

BERMAN: All right. Politics this morning. President Obama says blame him for the Democrats' midterm election misery. The president says that he and his White House team failed to sell the benefits of his policies to the American people. He calls it a failure of politics, telling CBS News that he has to change in his final two years in office.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

OBAMA: Another saying of Harry Truman's was, the buck stops with me. The buck stops right here at my desk.

And so, whenever as the head of the party, it doesn't do well, I've got to take responsibility for it. I -- the message that I took from this election and we have seen this in a number of elections, successive elections, is people want to see this city work. And they feel as if it's not working.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BERMAN: The president hinted there could be changes coming to the White House staff as people have been there a long time back to private sector.

ROMANS: All right. Former President George W. Bush says it's about 50/50 whether his brother Jeb will make a run for the White House in 2016. He tells CBS's "Face the Nation" that if Jeb does decide to run, he is 100 percent behind him.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GEORGE W. BUSH, FORMER PRESIDENT: I will do whatever he wants. I will be one of his strongest backers. If he wants me out there publicly, I'll be out there. If he wants me behind the scenes, I'll be behind the scenes. You know, I'm all in for him. He'd be a great president. The country could use an optimistic view like his.

BOB SCHIEFFER, CBS: What about you?

LAURA BUSH, FORMER FIRST LADY: I agree.

(END VIDEOI CLIP)

ROMANS: As for comments by their mother, that enough Bushes have already run for president, he says sometimes her predictions haven't been very accurate.

BERMAN: Yes, I'm sure his phone is ringing right now. Son -- anyway.

Twenty minutes after the hour. Shocking video capturing a police officer's violent tirade and alleged

assault on a man he thought was acting suspicious. We will have that next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

ROMANS: Caught on video: the apparent slap that caused the suspension of a sheriff's deputy in upstate New York. That video now going viral. It shows the officer verbally sparring with the man when he says there is no reason to search his car. He sounds like (INAUDIBLE). Watch.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

(EXPLETIVE DELETED).

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Why? You couldn't do that though.

POLICE OFFICER: You want to (EXPLETIVE DELETED) resist? (EXPLETIVE DELETED) I'm searching your car.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: That was intense.

POLICE OFFICER: You like that, huh? I can get a lot more intense.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You slap me around?

POLICE OFFICER: Yes. I'll (EXPLETIVE DELETED) your (EXPLETIVE DELETED) head off.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROMANS: The (INAUDIBLE) county sheriff's department said in a statement that the video appeared to show an inappropriate interaction. The deputy has now been suspended without pay pending an investigation and possible disciplinary action.

BERMAN: Twenty-four minutes after the hour.

Arctic weather and plunging temperatures in the forecast for this week. Jennifer Gray has an early start on our weather.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JENNIFER GRAY, AMS METEOROLOGIST: Guys, very cold air is going to start sinking south as we go through the next couple of days. Already, snow showers across portions of the Northern Plains, the Midwest. We could see up to a foot of snow in Minneapolis. It is going to be very cold over the next couple of days.

Elsewhere in the country, though, pretty nice, staying pleasant in the south. Temperatures around 71 in Atlanta, Memphis, 79 in Dallas. The very cold air is going to stay to the north for today. Sink a little farther south tomorrow.

Minneapolis, your high temperature today is 30 degrees, 21 in Billings. The cold air is going to stay in place for much of the week. It will slide a bit farther south like we mentioned. Snow showers possible for the Great Lakes tomorrow.

That should be it as far as the snow, though. This is not a huge nationwide snowmaker. It's mainly going to be dry, just cold air sinking south. So, warm air does stay in place for the southeast for another day or so. Once we go through tomorrow, 73 degrees in Atlanta, 66 in Memphis. The chilly air in Kansas City by tomorrow, as well, 39 degrees is your high temperature, 11 in Bismarck -- or Billings rather for tomorrow -- guys.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

ROMANS: Jennifer Gray, thanks for that.

BERMAN: Yes, a foot of snow in Minneapolis, I'm like, what? I missed everything else.

All right. Twenty-six minutes after the hour.

President Obama talking about some tough issues this morning in China -- equality for women, freedom of information on the Internet. He spoke just moments ago with a very speech. We'll break it all down for you, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)