Technically Harper missed the point of APEC

Contrary to all the press that we have received over the weekend about APEC and Harper’s revelation that Canada is about to officially go into recession by the end of March.

The APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) conference was actually about trade and commerce.

Basically building relationships with foreign countries that surround the Pacific ocean in an effort to increase trade and commerce. Actually a pretty good idea when your country is heading into a recession.

Unfortunately Canada might not of as done as well as expected, at least according to this article from the Star .

But for most here, the real story of Lima was China. Chinese President Hu Jintao's every movement and utterance was watched and commented on.

Upon his arrival, he was met by Peru's president and accorded a triumphant motorcade, complete with horse guards, through the streets of Lima.

Harper, by comparison, was met at the airport by Peru's mines minister.

When Hu spoke to business leaders invited here, those present said an audible frisson of excitement ran through the room.

The reason is simple. China is the world's rising power and with its $1.9 trillion (U.S.) in foreign reserves also make it the world's richest.

Countries here are courting Chinese investment and cash. The Chinese have an apparently insatiable appetite for raw materials.

Harper didn't get to meet Hu here.

So as Harper was lecturing the world about not putting up trade barriers, the other countries were busy working on trade deals.

And apparently Harper to hang out with his buddy George.

Harper had to make do with George W. Bush, the lame-duck U.S. president who used the summit to justify his time in office and complain about anti-trade Democrats.

The Americans continued their push for an Asia-Pacific free trade zone. But so far, the only countries that have been willing to consider the idea are Australia, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore and Brunei.

It is starting to look like China is flexing it's economic muscle and might be a little pissed off at the last two remaining neocons.

A Canadian official, whom the government allowed to speak to reporters only on the condition that he not be identified, said Thursday that Ottawa doesn't think this so-called Trans-Pacific Partnership is worth the trouble.

Unfortunately Harper doesn't handle humble very well, even on the world stage.




Reference the Toronto Star here .