The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum concluded in Gyeongju, South Korea, after two days of intense discussions focused on strengthening supply chains, promoting digital innovation, and advancing toward sustainable and inclusive growth. Under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow: Connect, Innovate, Prosper,” leaders of the 21 member economies committed to an agenda aimed at economic resilience and technological cooperation amid rising tensions between the United States and China.
Donald Trump’s brief visit contrasted with the active participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, who used the summit to defend free trade and reject protectionism. The two leaders had met earlier in Busan — their first encounter since 2019 — and announced measures to ease trade tensions, including tariff reductions and the restoration of strategic exports. Xi’s extended presence at the forum was seen as a sign of Beijing’s growing interest in consolidating its influence in a region traditionally dominated by Washington.
The meeting marked a shift in APEC’s orientation — from trade liberalization toward economic stability and security. Leaders agreed to promote “shared prosperity” and endorsed the creation of the APEC AI Initiative, proposed by South Korea, to establish ethical and transparency standards for artificial intelligence. Although the final declaration avoided explicit references to multilateralism or the WTO, analysts noted that the summit reflects the emergence of a new “economic realism,” in which Pacific economies prioritize pragmatic cooperation and a balanced management of interdependence in an increasingly uncertain global environment.