APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade met in Suzhou, China, from May 22 to 23, 2026, to discuss advancing regional economic integration and supply chain resilience [1, 2]. The ministers recommitted to promoting market-driven regional integration and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific agenda [1].
They emphasized the critical importance of resilient supply chains, especially for essential goods like energy products and their downstream derivatives [1, 2]. Cooperation on the digital economy was also highlighted, focusing on issues such as digital transformation, cross-border data flows, and building business and consumer trust in digital transactions [1, 2].
Malaysia was represented by Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Johari Abdul Ghani, who reinforced Malaysia’s push for open global trade and resilient supply chains during the meeting [2]. He said, "Malaysia remains committed to working closely with APEC economies to ensure that regional economic integration, digital transformation, sustainability initiatives, energy security and supply chain cooperation continue to deliver practical and business-oriented outcomes for the Asia-Pacific region" [2].
Minister Johari held bilateral talks on the sidelines with counterparts from China, the US, New Zealand, Australia, South Korea, Japan, and Singapore to deepen strategic economic cooperation [2]. Malaysia also reiterated support for a rules-based World Trade Organization system while cautioning against protectionism and economic fragmentation [2].
The ministers called for strengthening food security and the resilience of agri-food systems via practical cooperation within existing APEC frameworks [1]. Malaysia stressed the need to ensure digitalization, AI adoption, and green transition initiatives are practical and accessible to micro, small, and medium enterprises through capacity building and simplified mechanisms [2].
They encouraged advancing connectivity cooperation, referencing findings and recommendations from the 2015-2025 APEC connectivity blueprint review [1].
The meeting concluded with commitments to continue these efforts across digital economy, supply chain resilience, and economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region.
