A typically staid pair of international summits seemed a little antsier this past week, as delegates to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and G20 leaders’ summits mulled the plans and policies of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and their ripple effects on global trade, governance, and security.
On Saturday in Lima, U.S. President Joe Biden met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the APEC summit, in what’s likely the last meeting between the two leaders.
Comments from both Biden and Xi seemed more targeted at Trump than each other. Washington’s readout noted that “alignment with partners and allies” has been “central to [Biden’s] foreign policy approach,” and emphasized “managing competition responsibly” to “prevent it from veering into conflict.”
Beijing’s detailed summary unpacked four “red lines" for Xi: Taiwan, democracy and human rights, China’s political path, and its “development right,” or economic growth domestically and partnerships abroad.
Xi said it was critical that the two countries treat each other as equals and — in more forceful rhetoric than past meetings — said that “containing China was unwise, unacceptable, and bound to fail.”
In Lima, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly met with her Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, issuing a terse statement that emphasized “current bilateral challenges.” Wang criticized Canada’s imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods but acknowledged that Joly's July visit to China sparked “new progress [and] positive signals.”
The potential for discord with Trump and his hawkish team may be encouraging Beijing to soften its tone with Canada and the European Union.
Canadian trade minister Mary Ng, meanwhile, spoke with counterparts from China, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, and the U.S.
Beijing drops anchor in Peru
APEC host Peru rolled out the red carpet for Xi, who inaugurated a China-funded ‘mega-port’ north of Lima.
The C$4.9-billion deep-water port in Chancay will act as a regional “nerve centre,” slashing shipping times and connecting not only Peru — a party to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership — but the entire continent to “the gigantic Asian market,” said Peru’s president. Peru and 21 other Latin American and Caribbean countries are members of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The port is one of the largest in South America, spanning 993 hectares (roughly twice the size of Vancouver’s Stanley Park). Chinese military vessels may also be able to moor at the facility, raising concerns in Washington and elsewhere.
China will host APEC in 2026, a prospect that may hinder the ability of fellow member Taiwan — referred to as “Chinese Taipei” at APEC — to participate fully in the leaders’ summit and the forum’s manifold committees and working groups.
Canada, Indonesia conclude trade talks
The G20 leaders’ summit in neighbouring Brazil, running Monday to Tuesday, also saw a flurry of diplomatic activity.
In Rio de Janeiro, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.
Trudeau also had a brief chat with Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and, in conversations with Indian officials, said his “priority is always to be standing up for Canadians’ safety.”
These meetings built on talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto at APEC.
Trudeau and Prabowo announced the conclusion of negotiations towards a Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, with both leaders pledging to shepherd the deal into force “as soon as possible.” Indonesia is Canada's 22nd-largest merchandise trading partner.
