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THE absence of US President Donald Trump from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Meetings in South Korea has not diminished his influence over proceedings, as the forum’s 21 economies strive to reach a consensus before the meetings conclude on November 1.
The Straits Times reported on Saturday that attention is focused on whether leaders can issue a joint communique – a feat not achieved since 2018, when the Apec summit in Papua New Guinea ended without one for the first time in its three-decade history.
That year’s breakdown was caused by divisions between Washington and Beijing at the height of their trade war, with the US demanding stronger language on unfair trade and World Trade Organisation reforms, while China rejected being singled out.
Seven years later, the dynamics are familiar. Trump, now in his second term, has reintroduced aggressive protectionist measures, imposing tariffs on nearly every major economy just weeks into his presidency.
Ahead of his October 30 summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Busan, both powers had been locked in a stand-off, threatening new tariffs and curbs on critical technology exports.
Their talks produced a temporary truce, with the US agreeing to ease tariffs while China pledged to clamp down on fentanyl trafficking and suspend rare earth export restrictions for a year.
Whether that diplomatic pause will pave the way for a unified APEC declaration remains uncertain. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said on October 30 that members were “very close” to finalising a statement, tentatively titled the Gyeongju Declaration, though he declined to disclose details due to ongoing negotiations.
Just a week earlier, Cho had cautioned that “whether to include language emphasising free trade” was still under debate.
Trump has once again chosen to skip the Apec Economic Leaders’ Meetings, departing for Washington on October 30 following talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Xi. The United States is instead represented by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
At a press briefing on October 31, senior APEC official Casey Mace said “fair trade” remained central to US priorities, adding: “President Trump and the Trump administration are serious, committed, and understand the value of APEC.”
On the question of a joint statement, he said: “We are doing our best to achieve a strong consensus that reflects global economic efforts and priorities to boost regional growth.”
In Trump’s absence, Xi assumed a leading role at the opening session of the Apec Leaders’ Meetings on October 31, underscoring Beijing’s growing influence in shaping the region’s economic agenda. - November 1, 2025