The White House is touting President Barack Obama's visit to Asia as a chance to create U.S. jobs, boost trade, and generate markets for American goods.

White House officials Wednesday previewed the president's trip which starts Friday when he leaves for Hawaii to host the 21-nation Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

White House official Daniel Russell said Mr. Obama's efforts to create jobs are directly tied to U.S. engagement in the Asia Pacific region. He said trade with APEC nations supports millions of U.S. jobs and that the ability to export U.S. products is critical for economic growth.

Russell also said Mr. Obama is committed to what he calls a “rebalancing” in Asia — a region where democracies are emerging and China's influence is growing.

He said the American people want to know that the United States is going to be an anchor of stability and project their interests in the Pacific.

Mr. Obama will hold separate talks with Chinese President Hu Jintao, Russian President Dimitry Medvedev, and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda at the APEC summit.

He will also visit Australia and hold talks with other Asian leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a regional summit in Indonesia.