YOKOHAMA, Japan (AP) — Asian-Pacific leaders have endorsed a blueprint for future growth that calls for pushing ahead with free trade agreements and rolling back protectionist measures put in place during the financial crisis.
Wrapping up the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit Sunday, the leaders of 21 economies put aside differences over currency policies to voice a strong commitment to increasing the trade and investment crucial to the region’s growth and resilience.
Leaders representing the U.S., China, Japan, Russia and other regional economies also agreed on the need to reduce trade imbalances and government debt and avoid sharp, potentially disruptive fluctuations in exchange rates.
