APEC Trade Ministers Meet in Suzhou Amid Protectionism
The 32nd APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade (MRT) Meeting officially opened on May 22 in Suzhou, China, bringing together trade officials from the 21 APEC member economies for two days of discussions focused on regional economic cooperation, trade liberalization, and addressing the growing threat of protectionism.
Chaired by China’s International Trade Representative Li Chenggang — standing in for Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who was absent due to “urgent official business” — the meeting convened approximately 700 delegates from across the Asia-Pacific region at the Suzhou Jinji Lake International Convention Centre. The gathering serves as a key preparatory event for the 33rd APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for November in Shenzhen.
A Call for Multilateralism
In his opening remarks, Li Chenggang struck a resolute tone, urging APEC economies to reject zero-sum thinking and work collectively to uphold the regional economic order. “In the face of these complexities, APEC economies have demonstrated their resolve to jointly uphold the regional economic and trade order,” Li said, according to an APEC Secretariat press release.
Li outlined three core responsibilities for APEC members navigating the current challenging economic landscape: staying true to the founding mission of trade and investment liberalization, respecting the differing stages of development among member economies, and accelerating implementation of existing agreements. “We must abandon zero-sum thinking and find the greatest common denominator through an objective, rational and pragmatic approach,” he added.
The meeting takes place against a backdrop of rising protectionism, shifting supply chains, and lingering uncertainty in global trade. Li emphasized that while APEC is not a negotiating venue, it must play a guiding role in economic and trade discussions. “For consensus that has already been achieved, [APEC] should accelerate implementation and see results early,” he said, as CNBC reported.
Key Discussion Priorities
Ministers are focusing on several priority areas during the two-day meeting, which is being held under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community, Promoting Common Prosperity.” Discussions center on strengthening the multilateral trading system, advancing the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), and fostering digital cooperation and green economy development.
WTO Director-General Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala briefed ministers on outcomes from the Fourteenth Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, highlighting risks to the global economic outlook from geopolitical tensions and rising oil prices.
As artificial intelligence reshapes global commerce, ministers are also examining how APEC economies can harness digital trade and cross-border e-commerce to create new opportunities, particularly for small and medium enterprises. Standards coordination and trade facilitation are central to unlocking AI’s potential across the region.
Notable Absence and Political Context
The absence of China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao drew attention. Li Chenggang, who serves as both China’s International Trade Representative and Vice Commerce Minister, chaired the opening session in his place. China’s Commerce Ministry and APEC did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the minister’s absence, according to CNBC.
The meeting comes approximately one week after the Trump-Xi summit in Beijing, where China agreed to place its first major order of Boeing aircraft in nearly a decade and committed to purchasing $17 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products annually through 2028. Ambassador Rick Switzer, Deputy United States Trade Representative, is leading the U.S. delegation at the Suzhou meeting.
Suzhou as Host City
This marks the third time China has hosted APEC, following 2001 and 2014, and Suzhou’s return to the APEC spotlight after hosting the 8th APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting in 2001. The city, with a 2025 GDP of $387.7 billion, ranks sixth among Chinese cities and maintains deep economic ties with APEC members — approximately 70 percent of its 2.81 trillion yuan ($410 billion) in foreign trade is conducted with APEC economies.
Looking Ahead
Li Chenggang concluded the opening session with a forward-looking message: “This meeting will send a strong signal to the world that APEC upholds and advances multilateralism, strengthening confidence in Asia-Pacific cooperation and providing meaningful contributions to the Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen later this year.”
The meeting continues through May 23, with outcomes expected to shape the agenda for the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in Shenzhen this November. Key questions remain about how APEC will navigate the tensions between major economies and whether the forum can deliver concrete progress on issues like supply chain resilience and digital trade governance.
As the Xinhua News Agency reported, the meeting is expected to send a strong signal of support for the multilateral trading system and inject confidence into Asia-Pacific cooperation at a time of global economic uncertainty.