APEC economies met in Shanghai this week to advance work on regional trade and investment priorities ahead of the Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting in Suzhou on 22–23 May. The discussions focused heavily on economic integration, supply chain resilience, digital trade, and efforts to reduce barriers to cross-border commerce.
At the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment (CTI) meeting, officials discussed practical efforts to improve the movement of goods and services across borders.
A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to modernizing trade processes to adapt to the evolving global economy. Officials focused on:
- Paperless trade: Accelerating digital customs procedures.
- Interoperability: Ensuring compatibility between cross-border digital trade systems.
- Supply chain performance: Enhancing transport and logistics connectivity to build more resilient networks.
This Committee remains a key platform for advancing APEC’s trade and investment agenda at a time when the region continues to face economic uncertainty and evolving trade challenges,” said Julio Chan, Chair of the APEC Committee on Trade and Investment.
Chan added that the Committee’s work this year focuses on advancing progress toward the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) agenda, further promoting the digitalization of trade processes, and strengthening cooperation across APEC fora.
Reviewing Megaregional Pacts and Global Trade
During the sessions, officials reviewed progress on major regional economic integration efforts, including:
- The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
- The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
- The Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).
Additionally, economies exchanged views on the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the implementation of the landmark WTO E-Commerce Agreement.
Innovation, Inclusion, and Private Sector Feedback
As digital technologies increasingly shape business activity, members reviewed ongoing work related to digital trade rules, artificial intelligence (AI), and cross-border digital cooperation.
Furthermore, the agenda highlighted inclusive growth, discussing initiatives aimed at strengthening workforce participation for women’s economic empowerment, Indigenous businesses, and access to assistive technologies.
The APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) also updated officials on recommendations from regional business leaders. Representatives emphasized the importance of predictable trade conditions and urged governments to:
- Reduce trade and logistics costs.
- Strengthen infrastructure connectivity.
- Lower barriers affecting digital commerce and cross-border business activity.
With these key areas addressed in Shanghai, the stage is set for trade ministers to translate these shared priorities into concrete initiatives next week in Suzhou.
Reference
APEC Committee on Trade and Investment. (2026, May 17). APEC advances trade agenda ahead of ministers’ meeting in Suzhou. APEC. https://www.apec.org/press/news-releases/2026/0517_CTI