US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has given a major policy speech in Hawaii outlining ways America can build stronger ties with the Asia-Pacific region.
Mrs Clinton said she would like to see talks start on a role for the United States in the East Asia summit, the ABC reports.
She says she is determined to strengthen ties in the region.
"America's future is linked to the future of the Asia-Pacific region, and the future of this region depends on America."
Mrs Clinton says there many threats in the region, such as nuclear proliferation and climate change, and believes strong partnerships are the key to overcoming those threats.
However, her trip to the South Pacific has been postponed in order for her to return to the US to help coordinate relief efforts for quake-stricken Haiti.
Mrs Clinton was scheduled to visit Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and Australia this week.
