APEC Summit: Politics, Pisco Sours, and Protest
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken attend a leaders dialogue session at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, Nov. 15. AFP-Yonhap
Leaders of the Pacific Rim countries—including the U.S. and China—gathered in the scenic wonderland of Peru for the first major global summit since the whirlwind of Donald Trump’s election victory. Now, if that doesn’t scream international relations, I don’t know what does.
This annual gathering brings together 21 economies, which, collectively, seem to occupy two-thirds of global GDP and half the world’s trade. Exciting, right? It’s a bit like a family reunion where everyone pretends to like each other, but really, they’re just waiting for Uncle Joe to stop talking politics and pass the mashed potatoes.
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden joined a star-studded cast that included Xi Jinping and Justin Trudeau. Imagine that meeting; it’s like the Avengers but with the superpower of diplomacy and slightly less spandex. The world is just dying to see how the new U.S. administration might shake things up. Not quite a musical, yet it has all the drama of a soap opera.
The day started with closed-door discussions after Peru’s President Dina Boluarte implored the leaders to prioritize inclusive growth. “Level the playing field,” she said, clearly not talking about the local soccer pitch. Boluarte believes growth should start with inclusion, which is much like trying to make a cake by just talking about the ingredients. One of these days, we’ll see if they managed to bake something other than hot air.
Biden is trying to leave an indelible mark on the world stage, with climate change, global infrastructure, and making sure Ukraine doesn’t become the new Wild West on the agenda. Honestly, if I had a chance to promote my endeavors across global summits before leaving office, I’d certainly want to be substantive too. No pressure, Joe.
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, Nov. 15. AP-Yonhap
For the first time since, Biden will have a tête-à-tête with Xi over the weekend—perhaps to see who can give the best smirk while discussing global tensions. Speaking of smirks, let’s not forget the strife between North Korea and its BFFs, Russia and China. Biden praised the cooperation between the U.S., South Korea, and Japan, which at this point sounds like a group project in school where everyone mostly hopes the other guys do the heavy lifting.
Meanwhile, Xi, sporting a new megaport like a fancy new watch, is certainly prepared to overshadow Biden at this shindig. The Chinese leader’s efforts to charm his neighbors did not go unnoticed, as he wooed South Korea with promises of stability and free trade. Apparently, visa-free travel is part of the deal now—who knew politics could also save you the hassle of paperwork?
Trudeau, the smooth-talking Prime Minister, recalled how the last time Trump took office, everyone thought the world would explode, yet they ended up finding common ground. Little did they know the world had given decidedly mixed signals—like the way they dramatically shout at you in a crowded restaurant before actually having a coherent conversation.
In the meantime, as the leaders were busy huddling inside the conference center, outside, protesters shouted loud enough to make anyone wonder why their grievances kept falling upon deaf ears. Metal barriers and police in riot gear hinted that the local populace wasn’t particularly thrilled with the abundance of politicians discussing billions without a hint of empathy. As Maria Melendez put it, “We’re hungry, and they’re over there talking about billions of dollars. How is that going to help us?”
Outside, while world leaders were planning their next moves, a few dozen protesters challenged the political status quo, reminiscent of a scene from a dystopian movie where the people rise up against their robotic rulers. With heavy police presence, the crowd thinned out, leaving behind only echoes of discontent and the lingering taste of Pisco sours for those who managed to attend.
So, as APEC unfolds in Lima, one could only wonder: will it manage to find a way to truly address the world’s issues, or will it turn into another round of elite karaoke where everyone pretends to sing harmoniously while glaring at their competitors?
U.S. President Joe Biden, left, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken attend a leaders dialogue session at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, Nov. 15. AFP-Yonhap
Leaders representing Pacific Rim economies, including heavyweight nations such as the United States and China, converged in Lima, Peru, on Friday for a significant Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. This marks the first major international gathering following the election of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, setting the stage for discussions on pressing global issues.
The annual APEC summit unites 21 diverse economies that collectively account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s GDP and approximately half of global trade, according to event organizers, emphasizing the economic clout of this multilateral forum.
During this pivotal summit, outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden met with global leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto, Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, and Australia’s Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. The gathering comes at a crucial juncture as the world observes potential shifts in global power dynamics with the upcoming change in the U.S. administration.
In the morning session, leaders convened for private discussions, with an opening address from Peru’s President Dina Boluarte. She emphasized the urgency of fostering inclusive economic growth and tackling the issues of informal labor prevalent across APEC economies, calling for a united response to these challenges.
“Our objective is to level the playing field, providing all the necessary tools for inclusion in social, financial and commercial spaces,” Boluarte asserted. “We are convinced that growth starts with inclusion and that this is only possible through the empowerment of the citizenry that is the motor of our economies.”
As one of his final appearances on the global stage, Biden’s attendance at APEC and his upcoming visit to Brazil for the Group of 20 meeting are anticipated to be high-impact. White House officials stress that discussions will prioritize critical issues such as climate change, global infrastructure development, and regional counter-narcotics efforts. Additionally, Biden plans to urge allied nations to sustain their support for Ukraine in its struggle against Russia’s continued invasion and to pursue diplomatic resolutions to conflicts in Israel, Lebanon, and Gaza.
In a notable development, Biden is set to engage in a one-on-one meeting with Chinese President Xi for the first time since last year’s APEC summit. Earlier, he held discussions with Peru’s Boluarte, followed by meetings with South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, highlighting ongoing dialogues with key allies.
Biden acknowledged the strengthened cooperation among South Korea, Japan, and the U.S. in addressing North Korea’s “dangerous and destabilizing cooperation with Russia.” He expressed pride in fostering the partnership between Japan and South Korea, nations historically marked by conflict but now aligning their security and economic strategies in light of evolving regional complexities.
“This is likely to be my last trilateral meeting with this important group. But I’m proud to have helped be one of the parts of building this partnership, and I think it’s built to last. That’s my hope and expectation. I truly believe cooperation of our countries will be the foundation to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific for many years to come,” Biden remarked, underscoring the significance of this alliance.
Through a translator, Ishiba reinforced Biden’s message, expressing anticipation for advancing their collective response to North Korea and beyond.
However, analysts noted that Biden’s presence may be overshadowed by Xi’s initiatives in Latin America, highlighted by the inauguration of a $1.3 billion megaport that illustrates China’s deepening influence in the region. On the same day, Xi held discussions with President Yoon, advocating for a collaborative approach between their nations to uphold international trade systems and stabilize global supply chains amid expectations of a protectionist U.S. administration under Trump.
In a strategic move, Beijing declared on November 1 that South Korean citizens would be eligible for visa-free travel to China for up to 15 days, a clear countermeasure to the evolving U.S.-Japan-South Korea alliance in light of geopolitical tensions.
Xi’s diplomatic efforts extended to bilateral meetings with leaders from Singapore, Thailand, Chile, and New Zealand, as he sought to enhance regional ties. Notably, he met privately with Boluarte, leveraging personal diplomacy to strengthen ties within Latin America.
Reflecting on the implications of a potential Trump administration during the APEC CEO summit, Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau drew parallels to previous challenges faced when Trump first took office, highlighting the necessity for nations to navigate complex negotiations that ultimately led to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
“It wasn’t easy. And nothing is going to be easy this time,” Trudeau remarked. “Little secret: There is no American administration that is automatically easy for a Canadian government. They take a very robust look at their own interests, and Canada adjusts.”
Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau waves during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, Nov. 15. AP-Yonhap
In an effort to promote American diplomacy, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken utilized his speech to advocate for stronger global engagement. Acknowledging the audience’s fatigue, he humorously remarked, “I understand I’m the only thing standing between most of you and a Pisco sour” — Peru’s beloved national cocktail.
While he did not directly reference Trump or his “America First” policies, Blinken passionately defended the Biden administration’s commitment to renewing international relations. He stated, “Around the world we reimagined, re-energized, revitalized, strengthened and wove together our alliances and partnerships to try to advance an increasingly shared vision for a future.”
Blinken emphasized Washington’s intent to amplify its involvement in multilateral forums like APEC, declaring that such summits “are incredibly important for concentrating minds and fostering international collaboration.”
Outside the APEC convention venue, heightened security measures were in place, with metal barriers and riot police surrounding the area. Protests erupted in response to rising gang violence and a lack of government action, leading to confrontations between demonstrators and law enforcement.
As leaders gathered for APEC, anti-government protesters rallied a few blocks away, demanding accountability for their unpopular president and decrying rampant corruption in the government. Maria Melendez, a 48-year-old tour guide, expressed her frustration: “Why would we want APEC here when the investment is just going to line their pockets? We’re hungry and they’re over there talking about billions of dollars. How is that going to help us?”
Mia Rivera, 58, who held a portrait of ousted President Pedro Castillo, voiced her disappointment at low protest attendance, attributing it to the intimidating police presence and the painful memories of violent crackdowns on demonstrators in 2022. (AP)
U.S. President Joe Biden, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japan’s Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba participate in a trilateral meeting at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Lima, Peru, Nov. 15. Reuters-Yonhap
How can world leaders bridge the gap between high-level discussions and the needs of ordinary citizens during international summits?
Ration.” He underscored that the challenges faced by the global community require multilateral solutions and partnerships, setting the tone for the discussions to follow throughout the summit.
As world leaders participated in dialogues that touched on economic collaboration, trade relations, and pathways to climate action, the reception from those outside was starkly different. The discontent expressed by protesters highlighted the gulf between the high-level discussions occurring within the conference center and the pressing issues faced by ordinary citizens, advocating for inclusive growth that directly impacts their daily lives.
The backdrop of demonstrations served as a reminder that while leaders strategized over economic statistics and policy frameworks, a significant portion of the population felt excluded from the benefits of globalization. The perceived disconnect raised questions about the effectiveness of such summits in generating tangible outcomes that resonate with broader societal needs.
At the end of the summit, the question remained: Would APEC deliver actionable results that addressed not just the interests of member economies but also the crucial concerns raised by those they purport to represent? Or would it become just another chapter in the narrative of disconnected diplomacy, leaving behind unanswered grievances and unmet expectations? Only time would tell if this gathering could indeed spark lasting change or if it would merely serve as a rehearsed performance among the political elite.