President Bush is meeting with the CEOs of General Motors, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler today to discuss energy politics, and there’s a bit of controversy brewing due to the fact that leading foreign automakers are to be left out of the discussion. The talks will center upon increasing fuel economy standards and developing alternative fuels, and some are criticizing the omission of companies like Toyota, because of their growing presence in the U.S. economy.

Earlier this month, Toyota’s chief executive, Jim Press, was called upon to testify with GM’s Rick Wagoner, Alan Mulally at Ford, and Tom LaSorda of Chrysler at an Energy and Commerce hearing at the House of Representatives. Some analysts thought that Press’ appearance would win Toyota a seat at future political roundtables like this one, but the Japanese automaker has been passed over.

+ Reuters: Toyota not invited to White House confab