APEC trade meet ends without joint statement, remains apart on Russia

A meeting of trade ministers from the Asia-Pacific region ended Sunday without issuing a joint statement due to differences over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.Japan's trade minister Koichi Hagiuda said the outcome of the two-day Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting in Bangkok, which focused on how to promote economic growth in a post-COVID-19 world, should be reflected in a chairman's statement.Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, who chaired their discussions, told a press conference that they agreed on the need to lower trade barriers and reaffirmed their commitment to rea…READ FULL ARTICLE