Editorial | Torch of international cooperation to burn despite Trump return
China’s President Xi Jinping along with leaders at the Apec and G20 summits make it clear multilateralism is still the way to go
Donald Trump’s election to a second term in the White House has signalled a break in multilateralism from Washington, if not the end of it. Expectations are the United States will prioritise trade wars over tariff reduction, fossil fuel development over renewable energy, and isolationism over unshrinking support for allies in conflicts.
Still, there are signs many in the rest of the world, including China, are redoubling their commitments to working together to address pressing issues of our time. This is a welcome development.
Leaders of the 21 Apec member economies in Lima at the weekend called for work on enhanced free trade, climate change and global connectivity. Their 19-point declaration also reaffirmed calls for concerted action on food and energy security, reform of the World Trade Organization and supply chain efficiency.
While Trump was not specifically mentioned, his presence was certainly felt. Apec cited the challenging trade and investment environment.
“Effective multilateral cooperation is even more important in this context,” the grouping said.
Two days later in Brazil, Group of 20 leaders took up the clarion call for multilateralism, pledging to cooperate on the economy, building a just world and meeting sustainability goals. It condemned the use of military force in Ukraine and highlighted the plight of innocent victims of the fighting.
