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APEC ends in disarray

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  The conflict between the US and China played out during leaders' meetings at APEC this weekend. The conflict between the US and China played out during leaders' meetings at APEC this weekend.

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting has ended in disarray, with leaders unable to reach consensus on the official communique reports Laura Walters  for Newsroom.

The rising conflict between the US and China, who are currently engaged in a tit-for-tat trade war, played out in the room during the APEC Leaders Meeting in Port Moresby on Sunday afternoon (Sunday evening NZT).

Issues of trade – particularly reform of the World Trade Organisation, along with tariffs, intellectual property and artificial intelligence - are understood to have been the sticking points.

While all 21 leaders agreed on the majority of the leaders’ communique, there were a few paragraphs the US and China would not budge on.

This is the first time a joint communique will not be delivered by the APEC leaders since the practice began.

Instead, Papua New Guinean Prime Minister Peter O’Neill – who is the chair – will issue a chairman’s statement.  Continue to read the full article>