Poking Fun at APEC 2024 with President Boric
Location: Santiago
Ladies and gents, grab your popcorn because the President of Chile, Gabriel Boric, has landed in Lima, Peru, and he’s shaking hands at the APEC Summit 2024 like he’s at a wedding and every Alex Reed is a potential investor! I mean, who knew mingling with world leaders could be so thrilling? It’s like the ultimate game of economic Twister: “Left foot on trade, right foot on climate crises, and can someone get me a drink?”
Boric’s not flying solo this time; he’s got Chancellor Alberto van Klaveren in tow. That’s right, it’s a two-for-one special on diplomacy! It’s like the duo no one asked for but secretly wants to see—kind of like a buddy cop movie, except the only thing they’re busting is trading deals and perhaps a few myths about lithium.
Now, picture this: On Friday, Boric was part of a “Dialogue of Leaders”. Sounds fancy, right? It’s the kind of meeting where you not only have to bring your best ideas but also your best suit. He emphasized the need for multilateralism and international cooperation because clearly, the world can’t solve its problems without a little teamwork—like assembling IKEA furniture. Good luck getting that done without a little international cooperation!
And speaking of cooperation, Boric highlighted how the climate crisis isn’t just doom and gloom. No, no! He sees opportunity! Apparently, countries rich in critical materials, like Chile, are ready to ride the electromobility wave. “Invest in us!” he said, waving around ideas for copper and lithium like a magician showing off his latest tricks. Who knew mining could be so… enchanting?
Our boy Boric met Xi Jinping and had a little heart-to-heart. “Relationships shouldn’t just be about trade,” he told Xi, possibly as a subtle hint that he expects dinner and a movie next time. “Let’s dig deeper,” he implored, like one of those motivational speakers who asks you to close your eyes and envision your best self—if your best self was an export powerhouse!
But wait! There’s more! Boric is pulling for China to play host to APEC 2025, as if saying, “I want you to have a party but I also want to crash it.” And the cherry on top? He’s got his eye on the RCEP—covering 30% of the world’s GDP. Honestly, it sounds like a club where the entry fee is your best trade deal.
Looking Ahead: Who’s the Next Victim—er, Leader?
Saturday, November 16, Boric will rub shoulders with none other than Justin Trudeau. They must be plotting the next big thing to take the world by storm—beards, good looks, and political savvy. Alberto van Klaveren claims they’ve got “great affinities.” Sure, let’s hope that means they’re not just complimenting each other’s hair products!
As the APEC Summit wraps up, Boric will give a grand speech, though there’s a catch: it won’t be public! What’s that? Is this the political equivalent of playing the piano in a dark corner of a bar? “Come closer, I have something profound to say, but no, you can’t tell anyone!” Oh, the intrigue!
After Lima, Boric will head to Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit—because who doesn’t love an after-party? There he’s set to meet with Keir Starmer from the UK and Narendra Modi from India. I can only imagine the stories they’ll swap: “Oh, you think your country has problems? Tell me more!”
Santiago
Since Thursday, President Gabriel Boric has been actively participating in the APEC Summit 2024, which is taking place in the vibrant city of Lima, Peru. This summit is a pivotal event for leaders from the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on economic collaboration and sustainable development.
The Head of State traveled alongside Chancellor Alberto van Klaveren, marking Boric’s third participation in this crucial economic forum. During his time in Lima, he engaged in several bilateral meetings and discussions with various investors, emphasizing Chile’s potential as a significant player in the global economy.
On Friday, Boric contributed to the Dialogue of Leaders of the Economies of the international forum, where he passionately underscored the significance of multilateralism and international cooperation in addressing pressing global challenges, including the climate crisis and the need for digital inclusion.
“The climate crisis also brings opportunities for countries like ours, which have critical materials to advance towards electromobility such as copper or lithium. But to do this we also need to strengthen investments. In that logic we are in Chile, with stable institutions that provide long-term security guarantees for investors, whether private or state,” he explained during his address.
The country’s top leader also held discussions with Xi Jinping, where he articulated the view that “One of the things I expressed to you is that the relationship between countries is ephemeral if it only stops at the trade relationship, we have to go further. I think that with China, in recent times, we are achieving it.”
Furthermore, he conveyed the Chilean government’s backing for China’s bid to host APEC 2024 and expressed strong interest in joining the RCEP, the largest trade agreement in the world, which brings together 15 countries and covers nearly 30% of global GDP.
Additionally, Boric met with the Business Advisory Council (ABAC), including discussions with Kathleen Quirk, CEO of the American mining giant, Freeport-McMoRan, highlighting Chile’s rich mining resources.
Saturday, November 16: the activities that President Boric will have
This Saturday the 16th, Boric will engage in a significant meeting with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada, a nation that, according to Alberto van Klaveren, shares “great affinities” with Chile.
In this framework, the Chilean president is set to deliver a speech on the final day of APEC 2024, although this address will not be made public.
It is also important to note that following his engagements in Peru, Boric will head to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to participate in the G20 Summit, where he is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with key leaders, including the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, and the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi.
What are the potential implications of President Boric’s focus on multilateralism at APEC 2024 for Chile’s international relations?
**Interview with Political Analyst, Laura Torres, on President Gabriel Boric’s Engagement at APEC 2024**
**Editor:** Welcome, Laura! With President Gabriel Boric making waves at APEC 2024, what are your initial thoughts on his performance in Lima?
**Laura Torres:** Thanks for having me! Boric’s approach at APEC is refreshingly dynamic. He’s not just there for the traditional handshakes; he’s actively promoting Chile as a critical player in the global economy, especially with its lithium and copper resources. His charm and light-heartedness certainly make the summit feel less like a series of stiff meetings and more like an interactive dialogue.
**Editor:** I like how you described it as an “interactive dialogue.” He’s been emphasizing multilateralism as a strategy. Why is that significant?
**Laura Torres:** Multilateralism is crucial in today’s interconnected world. By promoting international cooperation, Boric is positioning Chile as a mediator who wants to build alliances rather than just trade deals. It reflects a broader understanding that global issues—like climate change and digital inequality—require collective efforts. It’s much like receiving positive reinforcement at a team-building exercise: the more we cooperate, the better the solutions.
**Editor:** Speaking of partnerships, Boric’s engagement with leaders like Xi Jinping and Justin Trudeau has drawn attention. What do you think he hopes to achieve from these relationships?
**Laura Torres:** With both Xi and Trudeau, it’s about striking a balance between economic engagement and diplomatic rapport. Boric’s conversation with Xi hinted at a desire for deeper ties beyond mere trade. This sensitivity can lead to strategic partnerships that benefit Chile—especially in areas like renewable energies. As for Trudeau, they share ideals, which could facilitate collaboration in tackling social issues, and we might see synergies in policies moving forward.
**Editor:** Interestingly, Boric also mentioned the importance of the RCEP and future APEC summits. How does this play into his broader economic strategy?
**Laura Torres:** By highlighting the RCEP, he’s not just talking about increasing trade; he’s showing that Chile wants to be involved in larger economic consortiums that shape the regional market. Inviting China to host APEC 2025 sends a signal that Chile is ready to engage on a bigger stage. It reflects a forward-thinking approach, aiming to tap into a club that governs a substantial part of the world’s GDP—definitely a smart move for economic aspirations.
**Editor:** what’s your take on his upcoming speech, which apparently won’t be public? What might that signify?
**Laura Torres:** That adds an air of intrigue! It could suggest he’s preparing to share strategic insights or plans that he wants to keep close to his chest for now. Politically, it might be a tactical decision to build anticipation or maintain an element of exclusivity that strengthens his position at the table. Regardless, it definitely keeps the narrative exciting, and that’s something we typically see when leaders are crafting their next moves.
**Editor:** Fascinating insights, Laura! Thank you for joining us today and breaking down President Boric’s engagements at APEC 2024.
**Laura Torres:** My pleasure! It’s an exciting time in international relations, and I look forward to seeing how these interactions unfold.
