US official defends participation in Apec after Trump’s early departure
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
US President Donald Trump gestures as he disembarks Air Force One, following his Asia trip, at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, USA.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Follow topic:
GYEONGJU, South Korea – US participation at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) forum this week in South Korea has been “very strong and robust”, US Senior Official to Apec Casey Mace said on Oct 31.
Mr Mace made the comment at a briefing on the sidelines of the gathering after being asked about why US President Donald Trump had left South Korea before the start of the leaders’ summit.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, who held talks with Mr Trump on Oct 30 to seal a US-China trade deal, is expected to stay until the forum’s conclusion, having addressed Apec leaders on Oct 31.
“Schedules don’t always align, and in the case of this week, they didn’t align perfectly to allow for President Trump to stay for all of the events,” said Mr Mace.
Hours after returning from a whirlwind Asia tour, US President Trump hosted the White House’s annual Halloween party, along with first lady Melania Trump. REUTERS
