(CNN) President Barack Obama is making his 10th visit to Asia this week, a reflection of his insistence on moving American foreign policy focus away from traditional hotspots in the Middle East and Europe and toward the populous nations on the other side of the Pacific Ocean.

Yet, even as the President arrived early Monday for stops in Vietnam and Japan, including Hiroshima, over the new few days, new threats of terror continue to consume White House foreign policy efforts.

The crash of EgyptAir Flight 804, which disappeared over the Mediterranean Sea on Thursday and which U.S. officials suspect was brought down by terrorists, has provided another reminder of the distractions Obama faces in his latest attempt to pivot toward the Asia Pacific.

"We obviously have enormous economic and national security interests in the Asia Pacific region, just as we have a profound and enduring interest in preventing any acts of terrorism," said Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security adviser. "We, of course, will be pursuing I think a very important assessment of an agenda that has an enormous bearing on the long-term interests of the American people."

Obama is planning stops in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, before traveling to Japan, where he'll meet with Group of 7 leaders, representing the world's largest economies.

Obama hugs Hillary Clinton after speaking at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016. Obama told the crowd at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center that Clinton is ready to be commander in chief. "For four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment and her discipline," he said, referring to Clinton's stint as secretary of state.

Obama hugs Hillary Clinton after speaking at the Democratic National Convention in July 2016. Obama told the crowd at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center that Clinton is ready to be commander in chief. "For four years, I had a front-row seat to her intelligence, her judgment and her discipline," he said, referring to Clinton's stint as secretary of state.

Cuban President Raul Castro tries to lift up Obama's arm at the end of a joint news conference in Havana, Cuba, in March 2016. Castro hailed Obama's opposition to a long-standing economic "blockade," but said it would need to end before ties between the two countries are fully normalized.

Cuban President Raul Castro tries to lift up Obama's arm at the end of a joint news conference in Havana, Cuba, in March 2016. Castro hailed Obama's opposition to a long-standing economic "blockade," but said it would need to end before ties between the two countries are fully normalized.

From left, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Speaker John Boehner listen as Obama speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on January 13, 2015.

From left, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and House Speaker John Boehner listen as Obama speaks during a meeting in the Cabinet Room of the White House on January 13, 2015.

Obama walks to the Oval Office on August 7, 2014, the same day he announced the beginning of airstrikes on ISIS.

Obama walks to the Oval Office on August 7, 2014, the same day he announced the beginning of airstrikes on ISIS.

Actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis interviews Obama during his appearance on "Between Two Ferns," a digital video series with a laser focus on reaching people aged 18 to 34. The President urged young people to sign up for his new health care plan in the video posted on the website Funny or Die.

Actor and comedian Zach Galifianakis interviews Obama during his appearance on "Between Two Ferns," a digital video series with a laser focus on reaching people aged 18 to 34. The President urged young people to sign up for his new health care plan in the video posted on the website Funny or Die.

White House press secretary Jay Carney fields questions from reporters during a daily press briefing at the White House in September 2013. Obama had just pushed for congressional approval for limited military strikes against the Syrian government.

White House press secretary Jay Carney fields questions from reporters during a daily press briefing at the White House in September 2013. Obama had just pushed for congressional approval for limited military strikes against the Syrian government.

Hundreds of thousands gather at the U.S. Capitol building as Obama is inaugurated for his second term on January 21, 2013.

Hundreds of thousands gather at the U.S. Capitol building as Obama is inaugurated for his second term on January 21, 2013.

Obama pauses during his speech at a memorial service for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December 2012.

Obama pauses during his speech at a memorial service for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in December 2012.

Obama casts a shadow in this picture as he accepts the 2012 Democratic nomination for President during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.

Obama casts a shadow in this picture as he accepts the 2012 Democratic nomination for President during the final day of the Democratic National Convention in September 2012.

Obama sits in his chair during a Cabinet meeting in July 2012. This image was tweeted by his official Twitter account in August 2012 in response to Clint Eastwood's "empty chair" speech at the Republican National Convention. The tweet simply said, "This seat's taken."

British Prime Minister David Cameron, Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and others watch the overtime shootout of the Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich in a conference room at Camp David, Maryland, during a G-8 Summit in May 2012.

British Prime Minister David Cameron, Obama, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and others watch the overtime shootout of the Champions League final between Chelsea and Bayern Munich in a conference room at Camp David, Maryland, during a G-8 Summit in May 2012.

Obama pays for a dog toy as he shops with his dog Bo at a PetSmart in Alexandria, Virginia, in December 2011.

Obama pays for a dog toy as he shops with his dog Bo at a PetSmart in Alexandria, Virginia, in December 2011.

Obama delivers remarks to troops and military families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on December 14, 2011, marking the exit of U.S. soldiers from Iraq.

Obama delivers remarks to troops and military families at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on December 14, 2011, marking the exit of U.S. soldiers from Iraq.

Obama and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon walk together in May 2011 during a tour of the tornado devastation in Joplin, Missouri.

Obama and Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon walk together in May 2011 during a tour of the tornado devastation in Joplin, Missouri.

Obama and the first lady meet with Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace in May 2011.

Obama and the first lady meet with Britain's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at Buckingham Palace in May 2011.

U.S. Marines watch from Afghanistan as Obama announces the death of bin Laden on May 2, 2011.

U.S. Marines watch from Afghanistan as Obama announces the death of bin Laden on May 2, 2011.

Obama, Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of the national security team receive live updates on the mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011.

Obama, Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and members of the national security team receive live updates on the mission to capture or kill Osama bin Laden on May 1, 2011.

Obama laughs as he makes a statement on his birth certificate in April 2011. Obama said he was amused over conspiracy theories about his birthplace, and he said the media's obsession with the "sideshow" issue was a distraction in a "serious time."

Obama laughs as he makes a statement on his birth certificate in April 2011. Obama said he was amused over conspiracy theories about his birthplace, and he said the media's obsession with the "sideshow" issue was a distraction in a "serious time."

Obama and his daughter Sasha swim in Panama City Beach, Florida, in August 2010, to encourage people to come back to the Gulf Coast after a devastating oil spill.

Obama and his daughter Sasha swim in Panama City Beach, Florida, in August 2010, to encourage people to come back to the Gulf Coast after a devastating oil spill.

Obama throws out the opening pitch before a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals in April 2010.

Obama throws out the opening pitch before a baseball game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Washington Nationals in April 2010.

Obama's signature on the Affordable Care Act is seen at the White House in March 2010.

Obama's signature on the Affordable Care Act is seen at the White House in March 2010.

First daughters Sasha and Malia Obama play in the snow with their father after a snowstorm hit Washington in February 2010.

First daughters Sasha and Malia Obama play in the snow with their father after a snowstorm hit Washington in February 2010.

Obama and former Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush walk to the White House Rose Garden to speak about relief efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti in January 2010.

Obama and former Presidents Clinton and George W. Bush walk to the White House Rose Garden to speak about relief efforts for earthquake-stricken Haiti in January 2010.

Obama salutes during the transfer of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, in October 2009. Obama traveled to the base to meet the plane carrying the bodies of 18 U.S. personnel killed in Afghanistan.

Obama salutes during the transfer of Sgt. Dale R. Griffin at Dover Air Force Base in Dover, Delaware, in October 2009. Obama traveled to the base to meet the plane carrying the bodies of 18 U.S. personnel killed in Afghanistan.

Police Sgt. James Crowley, second right, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, speaks with Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., second left, alongside Obama and Biden as they share beers on the South Lawn of the White House in July 2009. The so-called Beer Summit was held after Crowley arrested Gates at his own home, which sparked tensions and racial furor.

Police Sgt. James Crowley, second right, of Cambridge, Massachusetts, speaks with Harvard Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., second left, alongside Obama and Biden as they share beers on the South Lawn of the White House in July 2009. The so-called Beer Summit was held after Crowley arrested Gates at his own home, which sparked tensions and racial furor.

Obama hosts the Apollo 11 astronauts -- from left, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong -- in the Oval Office on July 20, 2009. It was the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

Obama hosts the Apollo 11 astronauts -- from left, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, Michael Collins and Neil Armstrong -- in the Oval Office on July 20, 2009. It was the 40th anniversary of the moon landing.

Palestinian security forces in Jenin, West Bank, listen to Obama speak from Cairo University in Egypt in June 2009. The Palestinian Authority hailed as a "good beginning" Obama's speech to the Muslim world in which he reiterated his support for a Palestinian state.

Palestinian security forces in Jenin, West Bank, listen to Obama speak from Cairo University in Egypt in June 2009. The Palestinian Authority hailed as a "good beginning" Obama's speech to the Muslim world in which he reiterated his support for a Palestinian state.

Obama kisses Sonia Sotomayor's cheek after announcing her as his nominee for Supreme Court justice in May 2009.

Obama kisses Sonia Sotomayor's cheek after announcing her as his nominee for Supreme Court justice in May 2009.

Obama bends over so the son of a White House staff member can pat his head during a visit to the Oval Office in May 2009. The boy wanted to know if Obama's hair felt like his.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden look at solar panels as they tour the solar array at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on February 17, 2009. That same day, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Obama and Vice President Joe Biden look at solar panels as they tour the solar array at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on February 17, 2009. That same day, Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

As retired military officers stand behind him, Obama signs an executive order to close down the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in January 2009.

As retired military officers stand behind him, Obama signs an executive order to close down the detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, in January 2009.

Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009.

Obama is sworn in by Chief Justice John Roberts as the 44th President of the United States on January 20, 2009.

Obama poses in the Oval Office with several former U.S. Presidents in January 2009. From left are George H. W. Bush, Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

Obama poses in the Oval Office with several former U.S. Presidents in January 2009. From left are George H. W. Bush, Obama, George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter.

Obama stands on stage in Chicago with his family after winning the presidential election on November 4, 2008.

Obama stands on stage in Chicago with his family after winning the presidential election on November 4, 2008.

First lady Michelle Obama brushes specks from the coat of then-Sen. Obama in Springfield, Illinois, just before he announced his candidacy for President in February 2007. Their daughters Malia, left, and Sasha wait in the foreground.

First lady Michelle Obama brushes specks from the coat of then-Sen. Obama in Springfield, Illinois, just before he announced his candidacy for President in February 2007. Their daughters Malia, left, and Sasha wait in the foreground.

U.S. President Barack Obama attends the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague, Netherlands, in March 2014. As Obama's second term nears its close, here's a look at some key moments of his administration.

U.S. President Barack Obama attends the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague, Netherlands, in March 2014. As Obama's second term nears its close, here's a look at some key moments of his administration.

White House officials say terrorism will remain a focus of the G7, as it has during their previous annual gatherings. Leaders, including French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and British Prime Minister David Cameron, will all be on hand to consult on a response to the plane crash.

He'll conclude his week-long Asia trip with a visit to Hiroshima, Japan, a historic journey seven decades after the United States dropped an atom bomb on the city at the end of World War II. Obama will be the first sitting U.S. president to visit to site.

White House officials say Obama's message in Hiroshima won't be one of apology; instead, they say he will focus more broadly on how war affects innocent civilians the world over. But his presence at the site will send a reconciliatory message to Japan, where the U.S. decision to drop the bomb remains a point of resentment.

In Vietnam, Obama hopes to further bury the grievances that stem from the U.S. war there between 1955 and 1975. President Bill Clinton reopened diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1995, and in 2000 became the first president to travel there since U.S. civilian and military personnel were evacuated from there 25 earlier.

That trip was meant to open ties to a once-deeply entrenched foe. A dramatic moment on that trip came when Clinton ventured into the countryside to search for remains of a downed U.S. fighter pilot who had never been returned or recovered.

Since then, political potency of Vietnam has faded. Even Sen. John McCain, a Vietnam War veteran who spent five-and-a-half years as a prisoner of war, now supports fully ending a U.S. arms embargo on Vietnam as the country emerges as a key counter to China in the region.

Obama's aides said ahead of his arrival in Hanoi that no decision had been made on ending the embargo, but indicated such a move was under consideration. Until now, consistent human rights concerns had prevented the United States from fully removing the restrictions on selling weapons to Vietnam.

Many of those concerns remain, including the jailing of dissidents and stalled political reforms. But as China ramps up its maritime aggression in the South China Sea, the U.S. sees Hanoi as an increasingly important partner in checking Beijing's territorial grabs.

How far Vietnam is willing to go in that partnership, however, remains to be seen. The United States, for example, holds little hope of establishing its own exclusive base at the Cam Ranh Bay naval facility, despite its strategic positioning at the western border of the South China Sea. Instead, U.S. officials say simply accessing the facility could help deter China.

"Vietnam's going to be very cautious about not crossing red lines with China," said Patrick Cronin, senior director of the Asia-Pacific Security Program at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. "The United States is going to respect that. We're not going to be based in Cam Ranh Bay. We're not looking for any new bases. We are looking for access arrangements but access arrangements come in all shapes and sizes and only some of them are public."

In Vietnam and Japan, Obama also hopes to boost support for his Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, which is languishing on Capitol Hill as lawmakers prepare for re-election campaigns. Facing Asian leaders, Obama will be forced to explain the delay, as well as why the two leading candidates to replace him, Democrat Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump, both have rejected the pact.

So, too, is Obama expecting questions about some of the foreign policy proposals that Trump has espoused on the campaign trail -- including his insistence that Japan and South Korea reimburse the United States for the protection that American troops stationed in those countries provide.

Obama has dismissed Trump as dangerous and ignorant about foreign policy, rejecting his proposals outright and claiming he won't become commander-in-chief.