Most Asia-Pacific countries want and are heading in the direction of free and open trade, a senior official at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) secretariat said, as U. President Donald Trump's tariffs overshadowed the forum's annual summit.

Tourists are seen near a publicity board of the 32nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, Oct. 31, 2025. The first session of the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting was held in Gyeongju on Friday. (Xinhua/Yao Qilin)

The two-day APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting convened on Friday in the historic city of Gyeongju, bringing together leaders of the 21 APEC member economies to tackle trade, supply chains and regional challenges.

PM Wong urges Apec economies to collectively reform the WTO, supporting outcome-oriented decision-making and flexible multilateralism to address its paralysis.

The actor-singer, currently serving with the Service Support Corps, has been assigned to assist with the Apec event. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.

In Gyeongju, a city in North Gyeongsang known for its tombs and Buddhist temples, the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit offered a different kind of history.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) leaders' summit kicked off Friday as world leaders gathered to discuss ways to boost resilience and spur growth amid a rising tide of unilateral trade and other barriers.