APEC leaders in Gyeongju, South Korea, pledged support for trade and investment that benefits all after President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to ease tensions in their rivalry. The joint statement said robust trade is vital and called for deeper economic cooperation to navigate a complex global environment. Members also agreed to work together on artificial intelligence and challenges linked to falling birth rates. The text did not mention multilateralism or the World Trade Organization, reflecting strains over free trade.
Trump left South Korea after his first in-person talks with Xi since 2019. Xi later met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, their first meeting since Lee’s election in June, with discussions expected on trade and North Korea. South Korea balances security ties with the United States and commerce with China. The United States stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea. Exports to China reached 133 billion dollars in 2024, with 127.8 billion dollars going to the United States. Relations with China have faced disputes, such as the 2017 THAAD missile defense deployment. Analysts said leaders struggled to find compromise text.
Trump left South Korea after his first in-person talks with Xi since 2019. Xi later met South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, their first meeting since Lee’s election in June, with discussions expected on trade and North Korea. South Korea balances security ties with the United States and commerce with China. The United States stations about 28,500 troops in South Korea. Exports to China reached 133 billion dollars in 2024, with 127.8 billion dollars going to the United States. Relations with China have faced disputes, such as the 2017 THAAD missile defense deployment. Analysts said leaders struggled to find compromise text.
