Following two days of deliberations in Lima, which scarcely transcended superficialities while addressing the strategic trajectories of the region’s principal economies, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum concluded on Saturday in an ambiance of détente—one that some apprehensively anticipate may not recur for another four years. The assembly witnessed the participation of 21 heads of state from economies skirting the Pacific, including U.S. President Joe Biden & China’s President Xi Jing ping who had descended on Peru for the annual dialogue amidst a backdrop of starkly shifting geopolitical undercurrents, specifically with the U.S. President elect Donald Trump’s stated intention to withdraw the US from its stewardship in the global free trade initiatives
A moment rich in symbolism was Biden’s tardy arrival for the customary APEC family photograph on Saturday. a scene that metaphorically resonated as the other leaders assembled onstage, glancing around only to find that the U.S. Vice President was conspicuously absent.A subdued chuckle rippled through the gathering as an uneasy five minutes elapsed, during which an absent Vice President Biden eventually materialized, appearing momentarily disoriented Flanked by Thailand’s young 38-year-old Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Vietnam’s President, Luong Coung, Biden gently extended a hand towards Shinawatra to steady himself.
Chinese President Xi Jinping secured the prime position within the assembly, predominantly placing himself at the forefront beside the event’s host : Peruvian President Dina Boluarte.Throughout the week, Xi had positioned himself as a champion of globalization evident by the inauguration of a humongous $1.3 billion port development in Peru, projected to ascend as South America’s preeminent shipping nexus. Alleviating his stature Xi’s addresses resounded with an unequivocal denouncement of protectionism. In Xi’s Summit address conveyed by one of his Ministers , the Chinese Premier urged the APEC leaders to dismantle barriers obstructing trade flows and lambasted tariffs—echoing Trump’s pledged impositions on Chinese imports as regressive measures amounting to revisiting antiquated economic practices.
It is interesting to note that for the annual photographic tradition, the leaders were adorned in bark-toned woolen scarves, emblematic of Peru, in alignment with the long-standing tradition of APEC of donning attire that reflects the cultural heritage of the host nation.While it is customary for conference coordinators to arrange leaders alphabetically for this symbolic family portrait, arrangements have greatly varied over the years.
As President Biden departed the stage on Friday, reporters barged him with questions, inquiring about his sentiments regarding his final appearance at an APEC summit and one of his concluding significant international engagements as president. Biden had envisioned that APEC, alongside the forthcoming Group of 20 summit in Rio de Janeiro—his next destination on Sunday—would serve as a triumphant culmination to his extensive political tenure, marked by vigorous diplomatic achievements and assertive declarations of America’s global influence.
