APEC chiefs, including Trump, agree on free and fair trade

US, China and other members pledge to refrain from protectionist measures

U.S. President Donald Trump, bottom right, and other heads of government hold up a declaration at the first virtual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' summit in Kuala Lumpur on Nov. 20. © AP

P PREM KUMAR, Nikkei staff writer

November 21, 2020 00:51 JST

Updated on November 21, 2020 05:13 JST

KUALA LUMPUR -- A "free, open, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent and predictable trade and investment environment" is the prescription for economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation countries said Friday.

Leaders of the 21 APEC economies, including U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, applauded at the virtual summit when Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin announced the joint statement, the first since 2017.