Biden to attend supplemental APEC meeting on Covid-19

Washington, Jul 16 (Prensa Latina) President Joe Biden will attend the virtual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) meeting to discuss urgent joint action against Covid-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis.

July 16, 2021
09:43

The unprecedented online talks involving heads of state from 21 nations was called at short notice by New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

According to the White House, it is the first time that Joe Biden will meet with many APEC’s leaders, particularly with those from Southeast Asia.

In line with his slogan ‘America is back,’ Biden’s attendance will try to mark the US leadership in the Indo-Pacific region as well as ‘the president’s commitment to multilateral institutions,’ according to a statement from the White House.

A few days after completing six months in office, Joe Biden wants to consolidate in APEC´s meeting the US stance in a region that has been undeniably influenced by China, a country that Biden made as major priority of its foreign policy.

Founded in 1989, the group accounts for 60% of global GDP. Its market exceeds 2.8 billion consumers (about 40% of the world’s population) and its objective is to establish a free-trade zone among its 21 economies.

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