SUZHOU, China — In a significant gathering amidst simmering global trade tensions, China's International Trade Representative Li Chenggang took center stage at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) trade ministers' meeting on Friday. He issued a compelling call for regional economies to "send a strong message to the world" affirming their commitment to cooperation.
Li's role as chair for the opening session was noteworthy, as he stepped in for China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, who was reportedly engaged with "urgent official business." While an attendee later indicated that Minister Wang was expected to rejoin the proceedings, the initial absence of such a high-profile official from a key international forum inevitably drew attention, sparking speculation among observers.
China International Trade Representative Li Chenggang chairs the opening of the APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou, China, on May 22, 2026.
CNBC | Evelyn Cheng
Serving as a full minister in his capacity as trade representative, Li Chenggang also holds the position of China's vice commerce minister. His remarks underscored Beijing's perspective on APEC's strategic importance, stating, "Even though APEC isn't a venue for negotiations, it should play a guiding role in economic and trade discussions." He further urged the acceleration of implementing previously achieved consensus to yield early results.
The APEC trade ministers' meeting, scheduled to conclude on Saturday, unfolds approximately one week after a high-stakes encounter between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. That meeting saw China commit to its first major order of Boeing aircraft in nearly a decade, alongside an agreement to purchase $17 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products annually through 2028, signaling a complex backdrop to current regional trade discussions.
Representing the United States at the Suzhou meeting is Ambassador Rick Switzer, the Deputy United States Trade Representative. APEC, established in 1989 in Australia as an informal forum for fostering free trade and economic cooperation, has grown from its 12 founding members to include 21 economies, notably China, Hong Kong, and "Chinese Taipei," which joined in 1991, highlighting its broad regional influence.
