Story perspectives

APEC in Suzhou Calls Cooperation, Trump-Xi Seal $17 B Deal

5/23/2026

Center

Li Chenggang Urges Cooperation

Li Chenggang urged Asia-Pacific economies to drop zero-sum thinking and share a larger economic pie fairly.
APEC trade ministers’ meeting opened in Suzhou, China, on May 22 2026, chaired by Li Chenggang, substituting for Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Li Chenggang said APEC must speed implementation of consensus despite not being a negotiation forum.
President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping’s meeting produced Boeing and $17 billion U.S. purchase plan 2028.

Right

Akazawa Visits China

Japanese trade minister Ryosei Akazawa visited China, highest-level engagement since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks sparked diplomatic row.
APEC trade ministers gathered in Suzhou, China on May 22 for two days of integration, WTO, digital and green-economy talks.
China reported a record 2026 trade surplus of nearly US$1.2 trillion, raising APEC stakes.
Beijing urged citizens to avoid travel to Japan and limited rare-earth exports for electric cars.

History

Historical Context

Seattle’s 1993 APEC leaders’ meeting, the United States’ first host since that summit, introduced regional multilateral trade cooperation that President Obama later expanded with climate pledges in 2011. That legacy of 21 economies working together underpins today’s regional APEC integration talks and Japan’s push for broader dialogue in the Asia-Pacific.

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Li Chenggang Urges Cooperation

Li Chenggang urged Asia-Pacific economies to drop zero-sum thinking and share a larger economic pie fairly.
APEC trade ministers’ meeting opened in Suzhou, China, on May 22 2026, chaired by Li Chenggang, substituting for Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Li Chenggang said APEC must speed implementation of consensus despite not being a negotiation forum.
President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping’s meeting produced Boeing and $17 billion U.S. purchase plan 2028.

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