Xi Jinping Leads Major Asia-Pacific Economic Summit in South Korea

The 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting was held in Gyeongju, South Korea, where Chinese President Xi Jinping took a central role advocating for economic globalization and multilateralism amid tensions with the United States. President Xi met with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung to discuss bilateral economic cooperation, denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and restoring relations strained by past defense deployments. Xi also held talks with Japan's new Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, focusing on stabilizing bilateral ties and addressing concerns over maritime activities and trade restrictions, including rare earth minerals and semiconductor equipment. These meetings emphasized cooperation on supply chain stability, high-tech industries, and green energy development while addressing sensitive diplomatic issues involving Taiwan and disputed islands. Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump, who left the summit early after securing trade agreements with China, notably did not participate in the broader APEC discussions, underscoring his preference for bilateral deals over multilateral forums. The summit highlighted competing visions for regional economic integration and security, with China positioning itself as a defender of free trade in contrast to U.S. tariff policies.