Key Facts
• APEC Summit held in Gyeongju, South Korea, on October 31–November 1, 2025.
• Leaders from 21 countries, including Japan, China, and Russia, attended.
• U.S. President Donald Trump was absent; Treasury Secretary Bessent represented the U.S.
• The “Gyeongju Declaration” omitted support for multilateral trade systems.
• Omission likely due to U.S. opposition under Trump administration’s protectionist policies.
• Declaration highlighted challenges to global trade systems and importance of strong trade and investment.
• Emphasis placed on securing resilient supply chains and advancing AI safety and reliability.
• Social issues like declining birth rates and aging populations were addressed for cooperative action.
• 2026 APEC Summit to be held in Shenzhen, China; Japan to chair in 2031.
Summary
The 2025 APEC Summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, concluded with the adoption of the “Gyeongju Declaration.” Notably, the declaration omitted references to supporting multilateral trade systems, likely reflecting U.S. opposition under the Trump administration’s protectionist stance. Leaders from 21 countries, including Japan, China, and Russia, participated, while the U.S. was represented by Treasury Secretary Bessent in President Trump’s absence. The declaration acknowledged challenges to global trade systems and emphasized the importance of robust trade and investment for regional growth. It also addressed the need for resilient supply chains, AI safety, and cooperation on social issues like aging populations. The next APEC Summit will be held in Shenzhen, China, in 2026, with Japan set to chair in 2031.
