Iran Press/ Asia: Competition between the United States and China over the Pacific was also thrown into focus with the US and its Western allies launching a coordinated response to Beijing's Belt and Road program.
"You know the two big giants in the room," Papua New Guinea (PNG) Prime Minister Peter O'Neill said at a closing news conference, when asked which of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group could not agree, Associated Press reported.
O'Neill, who was chairman of the meeting, said the sticking point was over whether mention of the World Trade Organization and its possible reform should be in the Leaders' Declaration.
"APEC has got no charter over World Trade Organization, that is a fact. Those matters can be raised at the World Trade Organization, he added.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) is a regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific. APEC's 21 members, collectively accounts for 60 percent of global gross domestic product (GDP).
The relationship between the US and China has deteriorated in recent months, as the US tariff rate on $200 billion in Chinese goods is set to increase to 25 percent from 10 percent on Jan. 1. US president Trump has threatened to impose tariffs on all remaining Chinese imports - about $267 billion more in goods - if Beijing fails to address US demands.
As a trade war heats up between the US and China, military tensions are also rising.105
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APEC summit: US-China tensions cast shadow
