The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea provided a sharp contrast in global leadership styles. The 21-member forum gathers economies representing nearly two-thirds of global GDP. This year, the spotlight shone almost entirely on China’s President Xi Jinping. He used the platform to champion global free trade and multilateralism. Conversely, U.S. President Donald Trump made a conspicuous snub of the main summit. He left the country early. This stark difference in engagement underscores a fundamental shift. It raises questions about the future leadership of the Asia-Pacific region. Ultimately, Xi’s presence allowed China to project an image of stability and commitment. Xi Jinping
President Trump’s involvement in the South Korea trip was highly selective. His schedule prioritized bilateral deals and personal meetings. He deliberately skipped the main APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting.
Trump’s disdain for large, multinational forums is well-known. He prefers the leverage of one-on-one, transactional diplomacy. Before leaving South Korea, he focused on a crucial meeting with President Xi Jinping. This meeting yielded a tactical trade truce. It included tariff rollbacks and agreements on rare earths. He also attended the APEC CEO Summit. This allowed him to meet with business leaders. He reiterated his calls for investment in America. However, once his key agenda items were addressed, Trump departed. He left before the formal APEC leaders’ session even began.
Trump celebrated his meeting with Xi as a “G2.” This framed the global order as being dictated by the two superpowers alone. However, his absence risks worsening America’s reputation in the region. Showing up matters in Asian diplomacy. Many APEC members, whose economies rely on multilateral trade rules, were rattled by the snub. It fueled perceptions of a rudderless U.S. Asia policy. It suggested that Washington views the region’s collective interests as secondary to bilateral economic deals. This stance contrasts sharply with APEC’s founding principles of open regionalism.
President Xi Jinping stepped seamlessly into the vacuum created by Trump’s departure. He used the APEC forum to project an image of responsible global leadership.
Xi took center stage at the opening session in Gyeongju. Xi told APEC leaders that China would help defend global free trade. He stressed the importance of multilateralism in turbulent times. He called for maintaining supply chain stability. Furthermore, he urged members to view economic interdependence as an opportunity, not a risk. This messaging was a direct counterpoint to Trump’s protectionism. It positioned China as the guardian of the open global trading system. This is significant because it helps repair some of the diplomatic damage caused by Beijing’s own trade actions.
Xi remained in South Korea until the forum concluded. He held a series of high-profile bilateral meetings. These included talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. They also included meetings with the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. He met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The meeting with Carney was notable. It signaled a desire to improve bilateral ties after years of friction. China used these engagements to strengthen economic cooperation. They focused on agriculture, energy, and climate change. Ultimately, Xi’s full attendance demonstrated commitment and respect for regional partners. It bolstered China’s influence within the forum.
Despite the leadership drama, APEC pursued a relevant agenda. Host nation South Korea aimed to focus discussions on future-oriented issues.
The summit’s agenda included core issues facing the Asia-Pacific. Discussions focused on demographic challenges. These include rapidly aging populations and declining birth rates. Artificial Intelligence (AI) was another key topic. South Korea leveraged its technological expertise. It sought to lead discussions on AI governance and ethical standards. These efforts were aimed at spurring regional growth and resilience.
APEC’s relevance remains under threat. The imposition of tariffs by the U.S. and the rise of protectionism challenge the forum’s founding mission. The summit concluded with delegates “very close” to adopting a joint declaration. However, the challenge of reaching consensus among 21 diverse economies remains high. Geopolitical tensions over the South China Sea and other security issues continue to limit the bloc’s ability to act cohesively. Therefore, APEC functions primarily as a crucial diplomatic convening platform. Its importance lies less in binding agreements and more in fostering dialogue between rivals. Xi Jinping
The APEC 2025 summit starkly illustrated the battle for influence in the Asia-Pacific. President Trump’s transactional approach secured immediate, high-value trade concessions. However, his absence created a vacuum of leadership. President Xi Jinping deftly filled that void. He projected China as the reliable, stabilizing force. He offered multilateralism and economic partnership. This strategic contrast complicates the choices for middle powers in the region. They must balance economic reliance on China with security reliance on the U.S. Ultimately, the optics from Busan are clear. The U.S. relies on power. China relies on presence. The stability of the Asia-Pacific region now depends on the ability of its members to continue leveraging both while safeguarding their own strategic autonomy. Xi Jinping
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