A senior United States official has reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to strengthening economic ties across the Asia-Pacific, following the first Senior Officials’ Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) held this year in Guangzhou.
Speaking during a virtual press briefing hosted by the U.S. State Department’s Asia Pacific Media Hub, Casey Mace said the U.S. views APEC as a key platform for expanding trade, promoting American exports, and encouraging business-friendly policies throughout the region.
Focus on Trade, Technology and Market Access
Mace noted that the U.S. is prioritising efforts to:
- Promote fair and balanced trade across the Asia-Pacific
- Open regional markets to American goods and services
- Expand exports in technology, agriculture and energy
- Encourage deregulation to improve the business climate
He explained that these priorities align with the economic agenda of President Donald Trump, which he said has driven significant investment commitments and strengthened partnerships with Asian economies.
According to Mace, APEC continues to provide a platform for advancing economic cooperation and supporting growth through closer engagement with regional partners.
AI and Digital Trade on the Agenda
The U.S. also highlighted its ongoing push to advance digital trade and artificial intelligence across the region.
Last year, APEC leaders issued a joint statement recognising the opportunities presented by AI. The U.S. followed this with a $20 million initiative to accelerate the adoption of American AI technologies across member economies.
Washington remains a strong supporter of cross-border data flows under the “Data Free Flow with Trust” framework, arguing that open digital systems are essential for innovation and technological progress.
Outcomes from Guangzhou Meeting
Mace led a U.S. delegation of more than 50 government and private sector representatives to the Guangzhou meeting, where discussions focused on shaping the 2026 APEC agenda.
He said there was broad alignment among members on:
- The importance of reliable and affordable energy
- The role of digital innovation and AI
- The need to improve trade balance and regulatory systems
These areas build on previous consensus reached by APEC leaders, including China’s President Xi Jinping.
Supply Chains and Critical Minerals
Although critical minerals were not formally discussed at the meeting, Mace said the U.S. remains committed to working with global partners to diversify supply chains and ensure reliable access to essential resources.
He confirmed that Washington is exploring cooperative investment opportunities with countries such as Papua New Guinea, particularly in mining and processing, while emphasising that such engagement would be based on partnership rather than coercion.
U.S. Participation in Upcoming Summits
On future engagements, Mace said no announcement has yet been made regarding President Trump’s attendance at this year’s APEC Leaders’ Summit in Beijing.
However, he reiterated that the U.S. remains fully committed to APEC while also preparing to host the Group of Twenty (G20) later this year — a dual leadership role Washington sees as an opportunity for cooperation rather than competition.
Regional Response
Mace said Asian partners have responded positively to U.S. economic engagement, citing growing investment flows into the American economy and ongoing negotiations on new trade agreements.
He concluded that continued collaboration through APEC would help foster prosperity across the region while strengthening global economic partnerships.
The briefing ended with officials reaffirming that the U.S. private sector will remain a central partner in advancing trade, investment and innovation through APEC initiatives in 2026.
0 Comments