Seoul: The United States remains "very committed" to working through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) platform, a U.S. official stated, following U.S. President Donald Trump's early departure from the main leaders' summit. Casey Mace, the U.S. senior official to APEC, addressed the issue during a media roundtable on the sidelines of the APEC gathering in South Korea, emphasizing the U.S.'s continued dedication to the multilateral forum.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Mace highlighted America's active participation during the APEC week, despite President Trump's absence from the main summit. He explained that scheduling conflicts prevented Trump from staying for all events, yet underscored the significance of Trump's brief presence as a demonstration of U.S. commitment to APEC and its economic agenda.
During his two-day visit to Gyeongju, Trump engaged in bilateral talks with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Chinese President Xi Jinping, following a speech at a business leaders' session. His departure after discussions with Xi meant missing the main summit scheduled for Friday through Saturday. Mace remarked that Trump's participation signaled the importance of the U.S.'s role in the multilateral event and its dedication to economic cooperation in the region.
Mace affirmed the U.S. view of South Korea as a crucial partner, citing economic growth stemming from regional cooperation. He expressed anticipation for further expanding economic partnerships in the region to boost investment in the U.S. economy. Additionally, Mace supported South Korea's APEC agenda, particularly its focus on artificial intelligence (AI), and noted the U.S.'s $20 million initiative to foster the adoption of trusted AI in the region.