Obama Cancels Asia Trip Over U.S. Government Shutdown

President Obama has canceled a planned trip to Asia next week over the U.S. government shutdown, the White House announced late Thursday.

Earlier this week, the president shortened the trip from four countries to two, canceling his visit to the Philippines and Malaysia because of the budget standoff.

Obama was scheduled to attend the APEC summit in Bali, where leaders are gathering to discuss economic issues, and an annual meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Brunei.

"The president made this decision based on the difficulty in moving forward with foreign travel in the face of a shutdown, and his determination to continue pressing his case that Republicans should immediately allow a vote to reopen the government," White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said in a statement.

Secretary of State John Kerry, who is already in Asia, will visit all four countries and the APEC summit in place of the president.

Obama called Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Hassanal Bolkiah, the sultan of Brunei, earlier Thursday to inform them of his change in plans.

"The cancellation of this trip is another consequence of the House Republicans forcing a shutdown of the government," Carney said.

He was due to depart Washington late Saturday night.