Fri Oct 31 10:10:05 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a news article based on the provided information, written from the perspective of The Hindu.
Summary:
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is being held in Gyeongju, South Korea. The summit is overshadowed by a bilateral meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where they reached deals to ease trade tensions. Trump’s absence from the APEC summit, however, raises concerns about the U.S.’s commitment to multilateral forums. Xi Jinping used the summit to advocate for free trade and cooperation in green industries, while also indirectly criticizing the U.S. efforts to decouple supply chains from China. Leaders from other nations, including Japan, Canada, and Thailand, held meetings with Xi on the sidelines. Focus areas for the summit include AI cooperation, addressing demographic challenges, and attempting to issue a joint statement despite existing tensions between countries.
News Article:
Xi Jinping Champions Free Trade at APEC Summit Amidst Trump Absence
Gyeongju, South Korea – October 31, 2025 – Chinese President Xi Jinping has taken center stage at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, delivering a strong message in support of global free trade. His remarks come as U.S. President Donald Trump skipped the annual gathering after a bilateral meeting with President Xi, where deals were made to ease trade tensions between the two economic giants.
President Xi emphasized the need for collaboration amidst global uncertainty, stating, “The more turbulent the times, the more we must work together.” He also championed green industries and clean energy, while cautioning against decoupling supply chains—a veiled critique of recent U.S. policies.
Trump’s decision to forego the APEC summit, after touting his success in negotiations with Xi, raises concerns about the U.S.’s dedication to multilateral cooperation. The absence risks further damaging the U.S.’s standing within APEC, a forum representing a significant portion of the world’s population and global trade.
On the sidelines of the summit, Xi Jinping held bilateral discussions with leaders from Japan, Canada, and Thailand. He is scheduled to meet with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung to discuss North Korea’s nuclear program.
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent represented the U.S. at the summit. Bessent reiterated the U.S. goal of rebalancing trade relationships.
The APEC summit faces challenges beyond the U.S.-China dynamic. Addressing supply chain vulnerabilities, aging populations, and the impact of artificial intelligence on jobs are also key priorities. South Korea, as the host nation, is particularly focused on AI cooperation and demographic challenges.
Concerns remain regarding the issuance of a joint statement at the summit’s conclusion. Differing positions among APEC members have made it difficult to reach consensus, particularly on free trade, mirroring the failure to issue a joint statement in 2018.
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