US bid to host Apec in question as divisions simmer below surface
- The move had been blocked by Russia, according to a delegate at this year’s talks
- Asia-Pacific leaders did however agree to do all they can to improve access to coronavirus vaccines and to cut carbon emissions
The focus was on areas in which the unlikely mix of leaders could find common ground. But the failure of the group to endorse a US bid to host Apec in 2023 pointed to some of the divisions that lie just beneath the surface.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said she expected Apec would reach agreement around the US bid by the end of the year, and said that the atmosphere in the room was pragmatic, despite the geopolitical tensions.
“It was constructive, it was positive and convivial, and there was a real common sense of purpose among members,” Ardern said.
The White House issued a statement after the meeting that did not address the hosting issue. Biden focused instead on deepening economic partnerships in the region with the goal of fair and open trade, and noted that America has shipped 64 million vaccine doses to Apec economies.
A joint statement by the leaders said widespread access to vaccines is a priority.
“Because nobody is safe until everyone is safe, we are determined to ensure extensive immunisation of our people against Covid-19 as a global public good,” the statement read.
US warns Europe that Russia may plan to invade Ukraine
The deep rifts between some members of the group were highlighted this week by a warning from Xi against allowing tensions to cause a relapse into a “Cold War” mentality.
And a Southeast Asian delegate, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of not being authorised to publicly discuss the issue, said Russia had refused to support US hosting the gathering unless some of its diplomats are removed from a US blacklist or allowed to enter the US to participate.
The delegate said the US resisted Russia’s demands because issues involving America’s security are considered “non-negotiable”. Because Apec works on a consensus basis, Russia’s objections were enough to at least temporarily derail the US bid.
In other areas of agreement, the group emphasised the importance of the World Trade Organization as an arbiter of trade rules. Apec said they wanted to see a pragmatic, multilateral response to Covid-19 at a WTO ministerial meeting later this month.
“We acknowledge the need for urgent and concrete action to transition to a climate resilient future global economy and appreciate net zero or carbon neutrality commitments in this regard,” the statement read.
In all, Apec members account for nearly 3 billion people and about 60 per cent of the world’s GDP.
US-China rivalry is the biggest threat to Apec cooperation
Many countries in Asia face the challenge of balancing Chinese and US influence on the economic and geopolitical fronts.
China claims vast parts of the South China Sea and other areas and has moved to establish a military presence, building islands in some disputed areas as it asserts its claims.
Both Taiwan and China have applied to join a Pacific Rim trade pact, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, with Beijing saying it will block Taiwan’s bid on the basis that the democratically governed island refuses to accept that it is part of Communist-ruled China.
Officials said they made significant progress during some 340 preliminary meetings. Apec members had agreed to reduce or eliminate many tariffs and border hold-ups on vaccines, masks and other medical products important to fighting the pandemic.
