The United States on Tuesday intensified its drive to clinch an ambitious Asia-Pacific trade pact by the end of the year, raising China's hackles at a regional summit in Indonesia.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation event, at a five-star resort on the tropical island of Bali, was aimed at breaking down trade barriers among all 21 member economies amid the gloom of a faltering global economy.
Members of APEC, which groups just over half of the global economy, voiced concerns in a closing statement about its fragile state hours before the International Monetary Fund cut its forecasts for world growth this year and next.
The APEC leaders' statement said that "Global growth is too weak, risks remain tilted to the downside, global trade is weakening and the economic outlook suggests growth is likely to be slower and less balanced than desired.'
Clashing agendas by the United States and China overshadowed the gathering.