President Obama opened the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit today by telling regional leaders that economic recovery in the United States depends on Asian-Pacific nations.

"Our 21 economies -- our nearly 3 billion citizens -- are looking to us to bring our economies closer, to increase exports, to expand trade and opportunities that create jobs and economic growth," Obama told APEC members in Hawaii.

Hosting the APEC summit in his home state, Obama said, "I want to emphasize that the Asia-Pacific region is absolutely critical to America's economic growth. We consider it a top priority."

"We're not going to be able to put our folks back to work and grow our economy and expand opportunity unless the Asia-Pacific region is also successful," the president said.

Obama also told Asian-Pacific leaders: