APEC Customs Dialogue Urges Cooperation Against Trade Protectionism

More than 230 representatives from government agencies, customs authorities, and businesses gathered in Dalian, China, on August 20, 2026, for the APEC Customs Business Dialogue. The forum focused on strengthening regional connectivity and reducing trade barriers through the modernization of regulatory mechanisms and the adoption of smart systems.

Sun Meijun, head of China's General Administration of Customs, warned that "rising unilateralism and protectionism are posing serious challenges to global economic and trade development." Other participants emphasized the need for closer cooperation to secure supply chains and improve the supervision of cross-border e-commerce. Discussions also highlighted the potential for artificial intelligence to streamline logistics and customs clearance, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Eduardo Weyne Pedrosa of the APEC Secretariat noted the historical success of trade liberalization in the region, while Zhang Yuyan of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences asserted that the general trend of globalization remains unchanged despite current headwinds. Officials noted that APEC economies represented over 60 percent of global GDP and half of global merchandise trade in 2025.