Foreign Media Hot Topics: The US bluntly refuses APEC, while China embraces multilateralism, the influence in the Asia-Pacific region has changed

After the summit between the Chinese and US leaders, President Trump of the United States directly boarded his private jet "Air Force One" to return to Washington. A few hours later, he hosted an annual Halloween party at the White House with First Lady Melania Trump; while the Chinese leader immediately went to Gyeongju to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit activities.

Reuters from the UK on the 31st pointed out that this scene symbolizes the shift in global economic leadership patterns. After a brief 24-hour visit to South Korea, Trump left directly, while the Chinese leader continued to carry out a series of multilateral diplomatic activities, reflecting the US's lack of importance for such multilateral occasions, highlighting the change in influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

Al Jazeera of Qatar on the 31st commented that Trump's decision to skip APEC, an important multilateral forum covering nearly 40% of the world's population and over half of the global goods trade volume, is in line with his long-standing disregard for large international mechanisms. These multilateral forums have been used to address global issues for a long time, but Trump clearly prefers bilateral "dramatic meetings" that can create public opinion.

The Associated Press on the 31st also said that Trump's decision to skip the APEC summit is consistent with his well-known contempt for large multilateral forums, but this direct refusal may further damage America's reputation on the international stage. CNN noted on the same day that although Trump was absent, his protectionist policies and punitive tariffs still loomed over the two-day summit like a dark cloud.

Representing Trump at the summit, US Treasury Secretary Scott J. Bensons explained to other leaders that the United States is "rebalancing trade relations to build a stronger foundation for global growth." Singapore's Asia News Channel sarcastically stated that many leaders listening to Bensons' speech are countries being hit by a series of Trump tariffs.

Reuters said that as the US turns to trade barriers and bilateral negotiations, China is positioning itself as a stable defender of "free and open trade."

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1847546864351236/

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