INTERNATIONAL

APEC leaders urge cooperation after trade thaw

After two days in Gyeongju, APEC leaders from 21 economies closed their summit with a joint pledge to deepen regional cooperation amid strains from U.S.-China trade tensions. The statement reaffirmed the importance of robust trade and the Putrajaya Vision 2040, while avoiding explicit “free and open trade” language. Days after Donald Trump and Xi Jinping agreed to de-escalate their trade war, Xi seized the spotlight, touting free trade and meeting regional counterparts. Leaders also issued texts on AI governance and demographic challenges, as North Korea denounced Seoul’s denuclearization agenda.

Reviewed by JQJO team

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