Guangzhou, China — February 7: The United States is participating in the first Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2026 Senior Officials’ Meeting and Related Meetings (SOM1) in Guangzhou, which run from February 1 to 10. The U.S. delegation is led by Senior Official Casey Mace and includes Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Ruth Perry.
At SOM1, the United States is emphasizing efforts to expand access for American exports to Asian markets while advocating deregulation and business-friendly policies. U.S. representatives say they are pressing measures to address illegal fishing, marine debris, and the illicit timber trade—issues the delegation describes as threats to U.S. businesses, workers, and national security. Promoting American technology and industry is also presented as a way to open new markets, restore a level playing field for U.S. firms, and support domestic job creation, alongside international environmental protection initiatives.
The statement from the U.S. delegation also underscores America’s long-standing engagement with APEC, noting the United States has hosted the forum three times. It highlights the contribution of U.S. companies, technology, and workers to economic growth across the Asia-Pacific region.
APEC is described by the Office of the United States Trade Representative as the region’s leading forum for facilitating trade, investment, economic growth, and cooperation. Its members include Australia; Brunei Darussalam; Canada; Chile; the People’s Republic of China; Hong Kong, China; Indonesia; Japan; the Republic of Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Papua New Guinea; Peru; the Philippines; the Russian Federation; Singapore; Chinese Taipei; Thailand; the United States; and Vietnam.
APEC decisions are reached by consensus and its commitments are voluntary. The forum has been credited with helping to reduce tariffs and other trade barriers in the region and advancing the Bogor Goals of free and open trade and investment—targets adopted in 1994 aiming for liberalization by 2010 in industrialized economies and by 2020 in developing economies.
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