Obama says he doesn't know for sure if he would have been able to secure a trade deal with a dozen countries called the Trans-Pacific Partnership. But he told reporters at the White House, quote, "It doesn't help that I wasn't there."
Obama cancelled his trip to four Asian countries to deal with the partial government shutdown.
He said he's sure "the Chinese don't mind" that he's missing the trip so they can push their agenda without U.S. competition.