APEC leaders kick off the summit in Lima as Trump prepares to return to office

LIMA, Peru – Representatives from 21 members representing the Pacific Rim kicked off their meeting in Peru on Friday for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forumthe first global summit since the victory of newly-elected American President Donald Trump, attended by several major world leaders.

The annual meeting brings together countries and members who are jointly accountable almost two-thirds of global GDP and half of world trade, according to the organizers. Confirmed government leaders in Lima include outgoing US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, among others. as the world wonders how a new US administration could disrupt global dynamics.

Leaders and other representatives will hold discussions behind closed doors in the morning, after a welcome speech by Peruvians President Dina Boluarte which focused on the need to promote inclusive growth and reduce informal labor in APEC economies.

“Our goal is to level the playing field and provide all the necessary tools for inclusion in social, financial and commercial spaces,” Boluarte said. “We believe that growth starts with inclusion and that this is only possible through the empowerment of the citizens who are the driving force behind our economies.”

APEC is It will undoubtedly be one of Biden’s last global summits before he leaves office, and White House officials persist that his presence and subsequent visit to Brazil for the Group of 20 meeting next week will be substantial, with talks focusing on climate issues, global infrastructure and counter-narcotics efforts. For the first time since last year’s APEC forum, Biden will meet one-on-one Chinese President Xi on Saturday. He will also meet with South Koreans Yoon Suk YeolJapanese Shigeru Ishiba and the Peruvian Boluarte.

The officials say Biden will also use the summits to pressure allies to maintain support for Ukraine as it tries to fend off. The invasion of Russia and persevering in negotiations to end Israel’s wars in Lebanon and Gaza.

Yet analysts say this will be the case at APEC overshadowed by Xiwho arrived on Thursday and proceeded to inaugurate a $1.3 billion megaport that is perhaps the clearest sign of Latin America’s ongoing reorientation in the region.

The port of Chancay will reduce shipping times by 10 days to China, where trade with South America has boomed in the past two decades. Peru’s economy minister said in June that neighboring countries are actively adapting their supply chains to take advantage of the port, where total investments will exceed $3.5 billion.

Ahead of the inauguration of the port, 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of Lima, local residents told The Associated Press that the development has not helped their economic prospects. On the contrary, they said the port has reduced their ability to fishthreatening their livelihoods.

Discontent is brewing in the middle-class neighborhood of San Borja, just outside Lima’s convention center, where the APEC conference is taking place. Metal barriers and police equipped with riot gear surround the perimeter where for the past two days anti-government protesters, angry over a recent wave of gang-fueled violence, have shouted slogans demanding their very unpopular president don’t take action against the crime wave.

The demonstrations have turned into scuffles with police, who used batons on Thursday to drive away the more aggressive demonstrators.

In the afternoon, APEC leaders and representatives will meet with members of the APEC Business Advisory Council. The council met on Wednesday and called on APEC countries and members to boost inclusive growth and prioritize the needs of micro, small and medium enterprises, especially those led by women and indigenous entrepreneurs.

“While the global economy remains resilient, APEC economies are struggling with persistent inflation, economic disparities, high interest rates and the urgent need to increase investment for a green, climate-resilient future,” said Council President Julia Torreblanca.

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AP writer Isabel DeBre contributed