in early challenge for

[jamikester]

Пожалуйста, помогите перевести.
in early challenge for
Выражение встречается в следующем контексте:
The leaders of 20 major countries, meanwhile, agreed to an emergency summit meeting in Washington on Nov. 14 and 15 to discuss coordinated action to deal with the credit crisis. The group agreed to work more closely, but put off thornier questions until next year, in an early challenge for the Obama administration.
Заранее спасибо

[alk]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/16/business/worldbusiness/16summit.html?_r=1
Published: November 15, 2008
WASHINGTON — Facing the gravest economic crisis in decades, the leaders of 20 countries agreed Saturday to work together to revive their economies, but they put off thornier decisions about how to overhaul financial regulations until next year, providing a serious early challenge for the Obama administration.

ставя сложные задачи перед администрацией Обамы в самом начале ее работы

[jamikester]

Огромное спасибо!