Opinion | US-China rivalry is the biggest threat to Apec cooperation

As it moves away from security preoccupations such as Afghanistan, the US is diverting attention and resources to shaping the regional order through bodies such as Apec

This is a strategy China has already adopted through the Belt and Road Initiative and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

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Prime Minister of New Zealand and Apec 2021 chair Jacinda Ardern attends the Voices of the Future event for youth delegates, in Wellington, New Zealand, on November 10. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 10:30pm, 11 Nov 2021

While much of the globe is focused on the COP26 climate summit in Scotland, a country at the other end of the world is hosting another key meeting this week – the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum leaders’ session, with US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping due to meet virtually.

This year’s Apec, chaired by New Zealand, will in the words of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern seek to “chart a path to recovery out of a once-in-a-century crisis” caused by the pandemic. This has been the biggest economic and political shock since World War II for Apec’s nearly 3 billion population who generate around 60 per cent of global GDP.

Ardern will seek to promote an inclusive, sustainable and resilient recovery and, after around 340 preliminary Apec meetings, progress has been made. This includes an agreement to a five-year programme of economic reforms that will kick-start growth, and create new jobs.

Apec members have reportedly agreed this week to reduce or eliminate many tariffs and border hold-ups on vaccines, masks and other medical products important to fighting the coronavirus.

New Zealand also said on Wednesday that the bloc had agreed to reiterate a “strong stance” against vaccine nationalism, are committed to tackling climate change post-COP26, and progressing on trade too.

A handout photo made available by Apec New Zealand, the host of the Apec forum this year, shows Chinese President Xi Jinping (top left) speaking on a screen via video link at the Apec CEO Summit in Wellington, New Zealand, on November 11. Photo: EPA-EFE

However, important as these commitments are, the sessions on November 12 and 13 are likely to show yet again that Apec’s consensus-driven approach is creaking. Even before the pandemic, the Apec consensus model was strained, with the group unable to agree on a communique at its 2018 meeting, while the 2019 session was cancelled due to protests.

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