Strong US economy key to global recovery: Obama

SEOUL: President Barack Obama says a strong, job-creating economy in the United States would be the country's most important contribution to a global recovery.

Obama made the comments in a letter to G-20 leaders, who are meeting Wednesday in Seoul.

In the letter sent Tuesday, the president defended the steps his administration and Congress have taken to help the economy. He said the US will do its part to restore strong growth and reduce economic imbalances.

Obama arrived in South Korea for the G-20 summit. Obama is expected to find himself on the defensive because of plans by the Federal Reserve to buy $600 billion in long-term government bonds to try to drive down interest rates, spur lending and boost the US economy.