The issue focused on U.S. policy in the Middle East, with many countries looking to Europe for help.

Airlines are also set to be under increasing pressure to take their technology and equipment from China. The United States is going to have to make an impact in some of these areas.

"It's a high-tech area that we need to work on," said chief executive Donald H. Reith. "We want to get them up to speed on our culture, which is