APEC Finance Ministers Warn Global Imbalances Pose Risks to Growth and Stability

Finance ministers from the 21 APEC economies warned Wednesday that persistent global economic imbalances pose risks to growth and stability, pledging closer cooperation without committing to specific measures. In a joint statement following two days of talks in Hong Kong, the officials said rebalancing trade is a common interest and cited geopolitical tensions and vulnerable supply chains as additional risks. The meetings precede an APEC summit next month in Shenzhen, where U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping are expected to meet on the sidelines. Chinese Finance Minister Lan Fo'an, who chaired the meeting, said members agreed to improve coordination of economic policies. The talks come as policymakers press for rebalanced trade with China, whose surplus this year is expected to exceed 2025's record $1.2 trillion. China's customs agency said last week its trade with other APEC economies rose nearly 24% in the first three quarters of this year, driven by exports of electric vehicles and lithium-ion batteries.