Trudeau, Trump, Xi in attendance . . .
APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) Malaysia 2020 concluded its year-long hosting of APEC meetings today with the 27th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, held virtually for the first time. Leaders from 21 APEC economies participated, including Prime Minister Trudeau, President Trump, and China’s President Xi Jinping. During the meeting, the leaders jointly issued the Kuala Lumpur Declaration and officially launched the new APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 for the region's future. In advance of the Leaders’ Meeting, the APEC CEO Dialogue convened business and government leaders under the theme APEC Re-imagined: Priorities in the Aftermath of COVID-19.
Leaders issue first joint communiqué in three years . . .
The Kuala Lumpur Declaration is the first joint communiqué since the Da Nang Declaration in 2017, after disagreements between the U.S. and China over trade and investment impeded multilateral discussions. While the global environment remains polarized, the Kuala Lumpur Declaration highlights the region's unprecedented challenges amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Leaders pledged to work together to combat the pandemic’s impacts by improving conditions for inclusive regional trade and investment and accessibility to the digital economy. Meanwhile, the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040 provides a blueprint for the region’s development as a dynamic and peaceful community.
Prime Minister Trudeau addresses APEC CEO Dialogue . . .
Prime Minister Trudeau took part in both the Leaders’ Meeting and the APEC CEO Dialogue. At the latter, he stressed COVID-19 is both an economic and health crisis and said that while countries should strengthen their internal processes and local capacities in terms of medical equipment production, they also need to deepen their collaboration and co-operation. The PM also highlighted Canada’s openness to free trade and reaffirmed Canada’s interest in negotiating a free trade agreement with ASEAN. While Trudeau identified China’s importance in the global economy, he criticized Beijing for “using its weight to get its way” and deplored China’s arbitrary detention of Canadian citizens Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
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