Gyeongju: Leaders from across the Asia Pacific region are gathering in the historic city of Gyeongju, South Korea, this week for the annual Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit, as the world faces renewed economic rivalry, supply chain disruptions, and growing uncertainty over technological change and global security.
The 2025 APEC summit is taking place at a critical moment. Relations between the United States and China remain tense, with disagreements over trade, tariffs, and technology continuing to affect regional stability. The forum, which was established in 1989, brings together 21 member economies that account for more than half of the world’s gross domestic product and about 40 percent of its population. APEC serves as a dialogue platform rather than a formal trade bloc, and its commitments are not legally binding. Instead, it focuses on voluntary cooperation and consensus to promote sustainable and inclusive growth.
This year’s meeting has drawn special attention because U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet on October 30 on the sidelines of the summit. It will be their first in-person discussion since the latest round of trade negotiations earlier this year. Officials from both sides have said expectations should remain modest, but the encounter could influence future talks on trade, technology, and regional security.
The broader global backdrop adds complexity to this year’s gathering. Rising tensions in the South China Sea, uncertainty surrounding North Korea’s nuclear program, and the lingering impact of the pandemic on supply chains continue to challenge the region’s growth. Meanwhile, artificial intelligence, green energy, and digital transformation are reshaping how economies trade and cooperate.
As host, South Korea has placed innovation, sustainability, and cooperation at the center of its agenda. President Lee Jae Myung has emphasized the importance of building resilient supply chains, promoting fair trade under the World Trade Organization, and encouraging joint efforts in artificial intelligence and renewable energy. South Korea also hopes to strengthen dialogue among APEC members to address the inequalities that technological change and demographic shifts have created.
Security preparations have been stepped up in Gyeongju, with authorities tightening control around key venues and urging calm amid concerns about possible demonstrations. The South Korean government has said it wants the summit to reflect unity and responsible leadership at a time of growing divisions.
While APEC discussions are expected to focus on cooperation, analysts believe that most progress will likely happen through informal side meetings among major powers. The diversity of the forum and its consensus-based nature make it difficult to reach binding agreements, but the gathering remains one of the few platforms where rival nations such as the United States and China can engage directly.
The Gyeongju summit is being seen as a test of whether regional cooperation can endure in an increasingly fragmented world. As leaders deliberate over economic recovery, technological competition, and sustainability, APEC continues to stand as a reminder of the need for open dialogue and partnership. The summit will conclude with the APEC Economic Leaders’ Retreat, where members are expected to release a joint statement outlining their shared vision for a more connected and resilient Asia Pacific region.