China Hosts APEC Trade Ministers Meeting in Suzhou, Calls for Regional Cooperation Amid Trade Tensions

May 22, 2026

China hosts APEC trade ministers in Suzhou, calling for regional cooperation to counter rising protectionism. The meeting occurs amid tensions over China's nearly $1.2 trillion trade surplus, which G7 nations call unsustainable. The agenda includes supply chain resilience and digital trade, while a high-level visit from Japan's trade minister signals potential diplomatic engagement despite a recent rift.

APEC trade ministers Suzhou meeting

▪Trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) are holding a two-day meeting in Suzhou, China, starting May 22, 2026.
▪The Suzhou meeting is one of several held in preparation for the annual APEC leaders' summit, scheduled to take place in Shenzhen later in 2026.
▪China's Commerce Minister Wang Wentao missed the opening session of the APEC meeting, citing "urgent official business."
▪The 21 members of APEC collectively account for nearly half of all global trade.

G7 trade imbalance concerns

▪Days before the APEC meeting, Group of Seven (G7) finance ministers agreed on the need to take action to address global trade imbalances, which they called unsustainable.
▪U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has argued for increased protections against a large volume of low-cost Chinese imports.
▪In the year prior to the meeting, China recorded a trade surplus of nearly $1.2 trillion.

Japan-China diplomatic engagement

▪Japanese trade minister Ryosei Akazawa is attending the meeting, marking the highest-level visit by a Japanese official to China since a diplomatic dispute in November.
▪The recent Japan-China diplomatic dispute was triggered by comments from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi regarding a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan.

APEC regional cooperation priorities

▪The APEC meeting agenda includes advancing a regional free-trade area, boosting digital trade, and improving artificial intelligence readiness.
▪At the meeting's opening, Chinese representative Li Chenggang called for APEC to oppose rising unilateralism and protectionism.
▪The APEC Business Advisory Council, represented by chair Li Fanrong, urged a pause on new trade restrictions to avoid further economic uncertainty.
▪APEC ministers are expected to discuss supply chain resilience amid global shocks, including the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.