China (CN) Calls for APEC Cooperation Amid Trade Discussions

China's International Trade Representative Li Chenggang opened the APEC trade ministers' meeting in Suzhou, China, on May 22, 2026, while Commerce Minister Wang Wentao was absent due to 'urgent official business'. Li emphasized the need for regional economies to support cooperation, stating that APEC should accelerate the implementation of previously agreed-upon consensus. The meeting follows President Trump and President Xi's recent discussions, during which China committed to purchasing its first major order of Boeing aircraft in nearly a decade and to buying $17 billion in U.S. agricultural products annually through 2028. The APEC forum has 21 members, facilitating discussions on trade and economic cooperation.