Exclusive | US, China need to engage more with developing Apec economies, trade chief of 2024 host nation Peru says
- Peru is “open to business with the whole world”, trade and tourism minister Juan Carlos Mathews tells the Post
- The Chinese were “more proactive and came first”, he says, rejecting US concerns over military implications for China’s role in Peru’s Chancay port
Trade and Tourism Minister Juan Carlos Mathews of Peru – the 2024 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation host country – is expected to lead the organisation of next year’s event.
The 2024 edition would need to consider ways for both rival powers to increase trade and investment in emerging economies within the bloc, Mathews told the Post.
He said Lima would focus on highlighting the benefits of expanding trade and diversifying investment while defending the importance of Apec, even at a time of growing geopolitical differences between its 21 members.
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“Peru has 22 free trade agreements and in the last two days here in San Francisco, we have been working to sign new ones with Thailand, Indonesia, India and Hong Kong. Even though it is not a forum for trade negotiations, this annual meeting makes the talks easier,” he said.