The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meet in Vietnam brings together three major world leaders who probably have close to a third of the world population and more than half of the land area in their countries. Russia’s Vladimir Putin, US President Donald Trump, and China’s Xi Jinping are among the leaders who will attend the 21-member summit. Xi and Trump are to talk on the future of global trade as they participate in a meeting that will see sensitive issues like the South China Sea dispute, the trans-Pacific partnership, and the Rohingya problem discussed.
Trump and Putin face each other the second time after the real estate tycoon took power in January this year. The two have between them a large number of issues, besides one which has put Trump on a virtual notice of sorts. The Cold War rivals have to discuss trade, diplomacy and security that always call for attention in a unipolar world given to geopolitical vicissitudes. All eyes will be on the meeting between Trump and Putin. The intransigent Trump has been accused of colluding with the Kremlin to influence the US Presidential election. The controversy has spawned talk of an unprecedented upheaval in the US establishment with anti-Russia hawks claiming Trump’s scalp. A major probe into Trump’s alleged collusion is on as Putin and the US president meet on the sidelines of the summit.
Though Apec is largely an economic gathering, political issues sometimes take centre stage. Problems between US and Russia have spawned geopolitics and the eastward expansion of the US-led North Atlantic Treaty Organisation has been a sticking point. Russia has been eager to spread its influence in its former sphere of influence with smaller states like Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia often feeling intimidated by Moscow’s might. In the same way, China has been trying to spread its footprint by claiming a group of islands in the South China Sea and building an artificial one somewhere else, much to the chagrin of states like Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea.
Moreover, hosts Vietnam will get an opportunity to improve ties with China as the summit unfolds. What is of concern is the public skepticism that Hanoi displays. The Communist Party of Vietnam can work to change the image of China among the public. Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to China to attend the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation in May was seen by observers as a move towards reaching out to Beijing. Xi’s visit to Vietnam is likely to bring the two nations together.
The Apec Summit is likely to be a key witness to many key global issues and attempts at their resolution. It is hoped bilateral problems do not scupper attempts at forging a regional mechanism for trade and economic relations.
