Can APEC Reinvent Itself?

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This policy brief details APEC’s evolution, paying particular attention to the pivotal roles of Australia and Japan. From its inception, APEC’s primary focus on trade liberalisation always looked like a hard sell in East Asia, where state intervention and the preservation of sovereignty remain important. However, the forthcoming APEC Summit in Shenzhen offers an opportunity to rethink and expand APEC’s role. When the Trump administration is increasingly seen as a source of chaos rather than stability, China has a chance to model responsible and creative state behaviour and even leadership. If China can convince Australia, Japan and other middle powers that it can work constructively to tackle common economic, security and environmental problems, it could make APEC a focus of cooperation and policy coordination into the future.