Space-id. GyeonGJU, South Korea — The US partisans on the APEC forum this week in South Korea are considered "incredibly strong and formidable," as a statement from U.S. senior officials for APEC, Casey Mace, on Friday. Reuben + 1
Mace relayed that comment on a conference briefing, after being briefed on why President Trump left South Korea before the start of the Summit of leaders. Reuben
"Events cannot always be aligned on schedule, and in case of this week, the schedule is not perfectly aligned to allow President Trump to remain in attendance for all events," Mace said. Reuben
Additional information:
- The president of China, Xi Jinping, who had a conversation with Trump on Thursday to seal off the US-China trade deal, was expected to stay until the end of the forum. He's been giving speeches to the APEC leaders on Friday. Reuben
- A few hours after returning from a crowded Asian tour, President Trump held the White House annual Halloween party with Melania Trump's First Lady. Reuben
Why is this important?
- The US's presence and commitment to regional economic forums such as APEC has strategic significance: suggests that the U.S. remains actively involved in the Pacific-Asia region, despite its leadership leaving early meetings.
- The schedule of a president who couldn't attend was fully perceptive to diplomatic and economic commitments, both from both the US and its rivals.
- Forums like APEC become an important arena for trade, investment, and economic cooperation that affects many countries, including Southeast Asian countries.
