Lambasting Obama, Pope and UN, Duterte Makes Global Debut
- Meeting with Obama in Laos canceled after Duterte outburst
- Philippine leader threw down gauntlet over his war on drugs
Obama Cancels Meeting With Duterte After Outburst
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Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has threatened to swear at U.S. President Barack Obama, dangled the prospect of leaving the United Nations and insulted the pope, all without leaving the country. Now he’s ready to meet the world.
Duterte, whose antics have repeatedly made headlines since he took office two months ago, is making his international debut at a pair of summits this week in Vientiane, Laos. The meetings will be attended by Obama plus leaders from Southeast Asian nations, Russia, China and Japan.