At APEC, Chinese President Xi Jinping Urges Against Protectionism
At APEC, Chinese President Xi Jinping Urges Against Protectionism
China has the opportunity to lead a vision for the Asia-Pacific given the potential withdrawal of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, comments AS/COA’s Eric Farnsworth.
President Xi Jinping delivered a strong message in favor of open and free trade, saying that the Asia Pacific region must lead the way in the face of slowing global growth and a rising trend of protectionism.
Xi said Beijing would spearhead a free trade area for all 21 APEC members, adding “China will not shut its door to the outside world but open more.”…
… U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has opposed the Trans Pacific Partnership – a trade deal which includes 12 APEC members but excludes China. It is expected to be a topic of discussion at a bilateral meeting between the leaders of the world’s largest economies, President Barack Obama and President Xi.
“I think the role of leading vision for the Asia-Pacific I think is one now that China really has the opportunity to play because with the withdrawal perhaps of the imminence of passage of the TPP, there really isn’t a competing vision at this point that seems to be prominent. So China is able to fill that vacuum, and I think this meeting here in Peru is an opportunity to do that,” said Eric Farnsworth, of the Council of the Americas….
