APEC Regional Trends Analysis: Trade, Policy, and the Pursuit of Inclusion

The May 2018 issue of APEC Regional Trends Analysis begins with a theme chapter on Trade, Policy, and the Pursuit of Inclusion. Taking a cue from APEC Leaders’ statements in 2016 and 2017, this issue is the third in a series focusing on the impacts of globalisation and how to enhance inclusion in the region. The theme chapter discusses what inclusion means operationally in terms of equalising access to opportunities, what policies might contribute to inclusion, and how inclusion has been incorporated into trade policy. It concludes with notes on implementation issues, pointing out the need to focus resources, monitor progress, and sustain efforts.

The next chapter on economic and trade trends shows that a broad-based economic recovery is seen in the APEC region with steady contribution from consumption combined with a significant turnaround from trade, benefiting primarily from the continued strengthening in global economic activity. The region is expected to maintain high economic growth in 2018-2019 as a stronger pick-up in global economic and trade activity is expected to counter downside risks from potential policy missteps and build-up of financial vulnerabilities. However, risks are tilted to the downside in the medium-term as policy uncertainty persists. Growth prospects hinge largely on policy outcomes, particularly the direction of monetary, fiscal, and trade policies.