Obama begins 9-day Asia-Pacific trip

President Obama kicks off a nine-day trip to the Asia-Pacific region today, beginning in his home state of Hawaii, where the U.S. is hosting this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Honolulu.

In his meeting with leaders, Mr. Obama will focus on economic integration and increased trade between the U.S. and the region.

"When the American people see the president traveling in the Asia-Pacific, they will see him advocating for U.S. jobs and U.S. businesses," said Ben Rhodes, deputy national security adviser for strategic communications, in a briefing about the trip.

The Asia-Pacific region already supports nearly 4 million American jobs and purchases 61 percent of total U.S. exports. But Mr. Obama aims to open these markets even further, creating more American jobs. The administration calls this fast-growing region the future of the 21st century.

In his first scheduled meeting with the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the President will discuss the broad outlines of a trade agreement with the TPP s other eight nations Chile, New Zealand, Brunei, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam and Peru. Japan will also join the dialogue. These TPP talks may eventually serve as the basis for an APEC-wide trade agreement.

Later, President Obama will attend a CEO Summit with business leaders from around the region and hold bilateral meetings with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda, Russian President Dimitry Medvedev, and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Tomorrow, Mr. Obama will make remarks at the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting, which will again focus on growth and job creation. He will then attend the APEC Business Advisory Council and hold a press conference. At the day's end, he will hold the annual North American Leaders summit with Mexican President Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Harper.

On Monday, Mr. Obama will have some down time with just one event scheduled - a campaign fundraiser - before he moves on to Canberra, Australia.

Later in the week he will stop in Darwin, Australia and Bali, Indonesia.

According to CBS News' Peter Maer, the trip in total will tally an estimated 23,342 air miles and 46 hours of flight time.