Xi Jinping Takes Center Stage at APEC Summit Amid Tense Trade Relations

China's President Xi Jinping will be the focal point at the annual Pacific Rim leaders' meeting in South Korea on Friday. After agreeing to a delicate trade truce with U.S. President Donald Trump, Xi will engage in talks with Canadian and Japanese leaders.

The trade agreement, reached just before Trump's departure from South Korea, temporarily halts further restrictions on China's rare earth exports, which could disrupt global supply chains. Strengthening these supply chains is a significant objective for this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Gyeongju. The 21-member group aims to foster cooperation and remove trade and investment barriers, although its decisions are non-binding.

Attention pivots to Xi, especially in Trump's absence, as he prepares for talks with Japan's new leader, Sanae Takaichi. Takaichi's rise to power might affect China-Japan relations due to her nationalistic stance and heavy defense policies. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, seeking to reduce reliance on U.S. trade, aims to rekindle ties with China amidst ongoing tensions.