Key Takeaways:- APEC 2025 reaffirmed commitments to trade, innovation, and digital transformation, but the benefits for developing economies remain uncertain.- Deep disparities in infrastructure, digital capacity, and institutional readiness mean that many members may struggle to translate the Gyeongju Declaration’s goals into tangible gains.- Whether APEC delivers meaningful progress will depend on implementation ...

Key Takeaways:- South Korea hosted the 2025 APEC summit amid unprecedented political upheaval at home and a disruptive, tariff-driven U.S. trade posture under Trump’s second administration- Despite tensions, leaders produced the “Gyeongju Declaration,” reaffirming regional cooperation on trade, supply chains, AI governance, and cultural industries—even as energy and WTO language were notably softene...

Key Takeaways-  By securing consensus on a 38-point statement, South Korea demonstrated its ability to convene cooperation amid U.S.–China tensions and global trade fragmentation. -  The summit allowed Seoul to project leadership on AI and defend multilateral trade norms central to its development story. -  High-level meetings with the U.S., China, and Japan elevated South Korea’s diplom...

Key Takeaways:- APEC 2025: Amidst global tensions, the Gyeongju summit successfully reaffirmed multilateral cooperation, focusing on economic integration, AI transformation, and supply chain resilience.-The ROK-US Trade-off: A bilateral summit resulted in a controversial deal where South Korea pledged a massive $350 billion investment in the US in return for reduced tariffs, raising domestic concerns over the cost.- ...

Key Takeaways:- The Trump–Xi Busan summit produced strong optics but weak substance — a truce without trust.- Most “agreements” remain provisional, leaving core disputes over technology, tariffs, and Taiwan unresolved.- Busan may have paused escalation, but real progress will hinge on Trump’s April 2026 visit to Beijing — not photo ops.When U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping met...

Key Takeaways: - Political Space, Not Strategic Certainty: APEC's unanimous declaration created temporary political space and re-legitimized multilateralism, but its non-binding nature demands urgent conversion into strategic, implementable leverage.- Competition Shifts to Standards: The US-China tariff pause was tactical relief; the strategic rivalry immediately intensified over "rules that travel," focusing on...

Key Takeaways- As the free trade era gives way to strategic rivalry, APEC must shift from liberalization toward managing interdependence among competing powers.- Korea, as this year’s host, is uniquely positioned to bridge divides and champion a pragmatic framework balancing resilience with cooperation. - The summit’s success will depend on Korea’s ability to turn ambition into achievable outcomes ...

Key Takeaways-  As South Korea hosts APEC 2025 in Gyeongju, it faces both a rare diplomatic opportunity and a major test amid intensifying US-China rivalry. -  The anticipated Xi-Trump meeting and Xi’s strategic use of APEC highlight the forum’s growing political symbolism and its potential to stabilize great power relations. -  For Seoul, APEC 2025 is a chance to demonstrate middle-powe...