Asia-Pacific group fails to reach consensus as US-China divide deepens
Port Moresby — Asia-Pacific leaders failed to agree on a communique at a summit in Papua New Guinea on Sunday for the first time, as deep divisions between the US and China over trade and investment stymied co-operation. Competition between the US and China over the Pacific was also thrown into focus, with the US and its Western allies launching a co-ordinated response to China’s Belt and Road programme. “You know the two big giants in the room,” Papua New Guinea Prime Minister Peter O’Neill said at a closing media conference when asked which of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) group could not agree. O’Neill, chair of the meeting, said the sticking point was over whether mention of the World Trade Organisation and its possible reform should be in the leaders’ declaration. “Apec has got no charter over World Trade Organization, that is a fact. Those matters can be raised at the World Trade Organisation.” The multilateral trade order that Apec was establi...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.