Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump held a pivotal meeting in Busan, Republic of Korea (ROK), ahead of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, signaling renewed efforts to stabilize bilateral ties amid global economic turbulence. The leaders emphasized creating favorable conditions for mutual development, with analysts calling the dialogue a critical step toward easing recent trade friction.
As APEC members prepare to address supply chain resilience and fair trade practices, the Xi-Trump engagement has raised questions about whether the world’s two largest economies can align priorities to boost regional growth. Wang Guan, host of The Hub, discussed these themes with experts who highlighted APEC’s role in fostering multilateral cooperation. "This meeting isn’t just about tariffs—it’s about rebuilding trust," said Dr. Li Wei, an economist at Peking University. "Collaborative frameworks could unlock $1.5 trillion in regional trade potential by 2030."
Key challenges include balancing technological competition with climate commitments and ensuring smaller economies benefit from APEC-led initiatives. With 60% of global GDP represented among APEC members, the outcomes of this week’s discussions may shape post-pandemic recovery strategies worldwide.
