Why it matters:
The protest reflects growing public opposition to perceived economic imperialism and U.S. influence in Asia.
The big picture:
Regional leaders at the summit are addressing challenges like AI development, low birth rates, aging populations, and urbanization, while navigating the balance of U.S. and Chinese influence in Asia.
What they're saying:
Protesters held signs reading “Trump Not Welcome” and “Regime Change, Not Climate Change.” They accused APEC of enabling global economic collusion led by Trump, condemned “tariff extortion”, and called for global solidarity to dismantle imperialist agendas.
Key points:
- The protest coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s rare visit to South Korea and bilateral meetings with President Lee Jae-myung.
What to expect:
As APEC leaders seek deeper cooperation, grassroots voices are pushing back against the structures they say reinforce global inequality and power imbalances.
Go deeper:
Trump’s S. Korea Visit Sparks Protests
Hossein Amiri - seyed mohammad kazemi
