Xi Jinping Advocates Free Trade at APEC Summit Amid Leadership Changes

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Chinese President Xi Jinping underscored the significance of free trade and multilateralism. Following a recent trade truce with U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi met with several leaders, including Japan's newly appointed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

In his address, Xi emphasized the need to protect the multilateral trading system and deepen regional economic cooperation. He stated, "The rougher the seas, the more we must pull together."

Prime Minister Takaichi, Japan's first female leader, engaged in her inaugural diplomatic meetings, including discussions with Xi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. Takaichi and Xi agreed on fostering a constructive and stable bilateral relationship, with Xi stating that neither country should perceive the other as a threat.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney also met with Xi, aiming to rebuild relations after previous tensions. The meeting was described as a "turning point" in bilateral ties, signaling a potential improvement as Canada seeks to diversify its trade partnerships.

The summit addressed various regional issues, including North Korea's denuclearization. Xi's meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung touched on this topic, though North Korea criticized the discussions.

Despite the absence of a strong commitment to "free and open trade" in the leaders' joint statement, the summit reaffirmed a commitment to robust trade and investment. The event highlighted shifting dynamics in regional leadership and the ongoing importance of multilateral cooperation.