GYEONGJU, South Korea — The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit opened in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 30, 2025, against a backdrop of shifting alliances and economic uncertainty. Chinese leader Xi Jinping seized the opportunity to reaffirm China’s commitment to global free trade, taking center stage at a forum notably snubbed by U.S. President Donald Trump. The summit, which brings together leaders and representatives from 21 Asia-Pacific Rim economies, has been overshadowed by the dramatic developments between the world’s two largest economies.
President Trump departed South Korea a day before the summit’s official start, after a closely watched 100-minute meeting with Xi Jinping. The talks, described by Trump as a “roaring success,” resulted in the U.S. agreeing to cut tariffs on China, while Beijing committed to allowing the export of rare earth elements and resuming purchases of American soybeans. According to the Associated Press, these deals offered much-needed relief to a global economy rattled by escalating trade tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Yet, Trump’s absence from APEC was a statement in itself. Known for his skepticism of large, multinational forums, Trump’s decision to skip the summit has stirred debate about America’s role in regional and global leadership. As noted by the Press Association, APEC represents nearly 40% of the world’s population and more than half of all global goods trade. Trump’s blunt dismissal, some argue, risks further eroding the U.S.’s reputation in a region where economic and political influence is hotly contested.
In a pointed address during APEC’s opening session, Xi Jinping declared, “The more turbulent the times, the more we must work together. The world is undergoing a period of rapid change, with the international situation becoming increasingly complex and volatile.” Xi’s remarks were widely interpreted as a direct response to U.S. efforts to decouple supply chains from China. He doubled down on the importance of maintaining supply chain stability and called for expanded cooperation in green industries and clean energy, signaling China’s intent to lead in these sectors.
Xi also sent written remarks to a CEO summit held alongside APEC, emphasizing China’s openness to investment and its commitment to multilateralism. “Facts have proven that whoever gains a foothold in the Chinese market will be able to seize the critical opportunity in increasingly fierce international competition,” he wrote. “Investing in China is investing in the future.” These assurances come as Chinese exports of solar panels, electric vehicles, and other green technologies have drawn criticism for creating oversupplies and undercutting domestic industries abroad.
It was Xi’s first visit to South Korea in 11 years, and he made the most of it with a series of high-profile bilateral meetings. On October 30, Xi met with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul. The talks with Takaichi were particularly notable, with Xi expressing hope that China and Japan could “commit to building a constructive and stable relationship fit for the new era.” Takaichi, for her part, voiced her desire to address “a variety of” challenges and deepen her personal relationship with Xi.
On October 31, Xi is scheduled to meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung for a one-on-one discussion expected to touch on the ever-sensitive issue of North Korea’s nuclear program. The diplomatic choreography underscores the summit’s importance as a venue for both public statements and behind-the-scenes deal-making.
Representing the United States in Trump’s stead was Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. In his remarks, Bessent emphasized the U.S. commitment to “rebalancing trade relationships” to ensure that “each country operates on fair and reciprocal terms.” He added, “The U.S. is investing with its trading partners to build resilient production networks that reduce dependence on vulnerable sectors.” This approach reflects a broader shift in U.S. strategy, from cooperation to competition with China, as the Trump administration’s tariff hikes and “America first” policies have rattled markets and challenged the multinationalism that has long defined APEC.
APEC itself, established in 1989 during a wave of globalization, was designed to champion free and open trade and investment, accelerating regional economic integration. But as the Associated Press reports, the forum now faces a host of new challenges: strategic competition between the U.S. and China, supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by recent crises, rapidly aging populations, and the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on jobs and industries.
South Korea, as summit host, has placed a premium on discussions about AI cooperation and demographic challenges. President Lee Jae Myung, opening the summit as chair, called for greater solidarity in the face of these daunting issues. “It’s obvious that we can’t always stand on the same side, as our national interests are at stake. But we can join together for the ultimate goal of shared prosperity,” Lee said. “I hope we will have candid and constructive discussions on how we can achieve APEC’s vision in the face of the new challenge of a rapidly changing international economic environment.”
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney echoed the sense of urgency, reiterating his government’s plan to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade. “Our world is undergoing one of the most profound shifts since the fall of the Berlin Wall,” Carney observed, highlighting the scale of change facing the region.
Despite the optimism following the Trump-Xi meeting, analysts warn that deep-seated tensions remain. Both countries are vying for dominance in manufacturing and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul, told the Associated Press, “It is certainly a contribution to bring the leaders of the two largest economies together for a meeting where they agreed to withdraw their most extreme tariff and export control threats. As a result, worst-case outcomes for global trade were averted.” But he cautioned, “APEC is meant to be more than a venue for a trade war truce. Greater multilateral efforts are needed to address the region’s most pressing economic challenges, including resisting costly and destabilizing protectionism, harmonizing regulations for sustainable trade, and coordinating standards for digital innovation.”
South Korea has been working behind the scenes to encourage all 21 member economies to adopt a joint statement at the summit’s conclusion—a feat not achieved since 2018, when U.S.-China discord over trade derailed consensus. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun acknowledged the difficulties, saying that a strong endorsement of free trade was unlikely due to differing positions among members. Instead, he anticipated a broader declaration emphasizing peace and prosperity in the region.
As the summit unfolds, the world is watching to see whether APEC can rise above the bilateral drama and deliver on its founding promise of regional cooperation. For now, the delicate dance between competition and collaboration continues, with the stakes as high as ever for the Asia-Pacific and beyond.
