APEC pledges to boost trade as geopolitical rifts hijack regional summits

Thailand's Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-O-Cha addresses a press conference during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC summit, Saturday, Nov. 19, 2022, in Bangkok, Thailand. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath)

BANGKOK, Nov 19 (Reuters): Leaders of the 21-member APEC bloc pledged on Saturday to boost trade and do more to tackle other economic challenges, wrapping up the last of three summits in the region in a week that have been overshadowed by intense geopolitical rivalry.

The summits have been attended by global leaders, and the talks have often been disrupted by friction spilling over from the war in Ukraine as well as flashpoints such as the Taiwan strait and the Korean peninsula.