Xi Jinping Leads in Pacific Trade as U.S. Watches from Afar

Xi Jinping took the spotlight at an annual Pacific Rim summit in South Korea, securing a trade truce with U.S. President Donald Trump and meeting Canadian and Japanese leaders. This trade agreement comes amid ongoing global economic tensions as Trump prioritized domestic events.

Portraying China as a steadfast supporter of free trade, Xi emphasized the need for cooperation among APEC members. However, skepticism remains due to China's assertive regional policies and economic dominance.

While discussions continued with Japanese leader Sanae Takaichi and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, the summit unfolded against the backdrop of recent frictions, with leaders striving to navigate geopolitical challenges and develop trade relationships.