The leaders of the fifteen members of Asia and Oceania of APEC will meet at the summit in Peru to advocate for free trade and strengthen their alliances amid uncertainty over tariffs in the context of Donald Trump's return. Among the represented countries are China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, among others, who have sent their leaders to participate in the event.
One of the focal points of the summit is the presence of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who seeks to present China as a defender of the free market against possible protectionist measures from the Trump administration. Taiwan will also be present at the summit, although it sends a lower-ranking representative due to Beijing's demands.
In this context, discussions at the summit are expected to revolve around promoting a fair and inclusive trading order. Leaders like Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will advocate for "free and fair trade," while key bilateral meetings are anticipated between Xi Jinping and other leaders such as Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Yook Suk-yeol.
The summit provides China with the opportunity to strengthen alliances with leaders from the Global South and tighten ties with Asian nations in a backdrop of geopolitical changes. Topics to be addressed include strengthening trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the possibility of China joining this treaty.
The meeting, which will take place in Lima, Peru, between Friday and Saturday, will also be the venue for state visits from seven Asian leaders to Peru with the aim of enhancing cooperation in various areas such as trade, investment, and climate change. The summit seeks to reaffirm commitment to free trade and regional cooperation in a context of changes and international tensions.
