Xi Champions Multilateralism at APEC Amid U.S. Absence
During the first session of the APEC meeting, Chinese President Xi Jinping called for more globalization and protection of free trade. He stressed the need of staying together during times of global unrest, making China seem like a stabilizing factor in times of economic uncertainty.
Xi rapidly filled the diplomatic void left by Trump’s early departure from South Korea during the two-day conference. People remarked that the Chinese leader’s strong involvement showed that Beijing was ready to take the lead where Washington had stood aside.
Source: CNN
Beijing Promotes Supply Chain Stability and Cooperation
Xi told member economies to keep their supply chains stable even while U.S. trade measures are making the world more politically divided. He added that the globe should not try to break apart and instead work together more on clean technology and renewable energy.
China’s rise in solar panel and electric car exports sparked criticism, but Xi called it part of sustainable global innovation. His comments showed that he wanted to set standards for the green industry instead of giving in to protectionist demands from other economies.
Trump’s Departure Highlights Shifting Power Dynamics
President Trump’s choice to leave before the summit showed that Washington is losing interest in economic forums that bring together many countries. Instead, he focused on bilateral accords with Beijing, getting promises on rare earth exports and agricultural purchases.
Analysts said that Trump’s departure showed that he prefers one-on-one talks that focus on showmanship over long-term policy discussions. The action made many think even more that the U.S. is losing its leading role in global trade cooperation under his administration.
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Xi Meets Japan’s Takaichi in Historic Diplomatic Moment
Xi and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met for the first time in an official capacity, which is a sign of cautious hope for peace in the area. Both leaders promised to work together more closely in the future while being careful not to hurt one another’s feelings over their complicated pasts.
The meeting was important since Takaichi is a nationalist and had been to the Yasukuni Shrine, which upset China. People who were watching said that their talk showed that they were both prepared to put past problems aside and focus on current diplomatic issues.
China and South Korea Pursue Regional Stability Together
Xi is likely to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to talk about getting rid of nuclear weapons and working together on security in Northeast Asia as a whole. Officials from both countries stressed the need for practical talks aimed at lowering tensions in the area while strengthening long-term economic cooperation.
Both governments want to combine economic development with responsible conflict de-escalation, which is why they are working together. Analysts say that these discussions are important for keeping the momentum continuing in regional diplomacy while the U.S. and China are still competing.
Canada-China Relations Revived Through Constructive Dialogue
Xi’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney was the first time the leaders of both nations had talked to each other since 2017. Carney supported practical communication to get over problems that were getting in the way of trade cooperation between the two.
China asked Carney to come to Beijing, which shows that diplomatic ties are getting back on track after years of bad relations and lack of contact. Analysts saw this as an early sign of reconciliation that showed that both sides understood how dependent they were on each other in global trade.
APEC Faces Challenges Balancing Rivalry and Cooperation
Representatives from 21 APEC economies talked on how to promote shared prosperity while dealing with the growing geopolitical competition between the U.S. and China. During the summit, most of the policy talks were on problems like an aging population, AI disruption, and the strength of the global supply chain.
Even though each country has its own interests, South Korean officials attempted to get everyone to agree on a united statement supporting free trade. However, officials warned that the results might not be as strong as they could be since there are still disagreements over how APEC can deal with geopolitical competition in a way that lasts.
Future of APEC in Era of Global Fragmentation Unclear
Analysts said that APEC’s ability to stay together is getting harder because of the economic plans of opposing superpowers. Xi’s strong diplomacy showed that China wants to take up leading roles as Western support for trade liberalization diminishes.
It is still unclear if APEC can adjust to changing power dynamics, since its members are split between cooperation and rivalry. As one writer pointed out, the main question now is whether APEC can withstand the growing ideological divide throughout the world.
