21 November 2016, 16:43 GMT
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The summit coincided with a rise in energy prices amid moves by oil-producing countries to cut output, a development that would likely boost Russia’s strategic influence in the Asia-Pacific region, the report added.
“The mood surrounding the APEC summit reflected the growing perception that American economic retrenchment could see US predominance in Asia challenged by China’s expanding geo-economic power,” the report explained.
President-elect Donald Trump’s victory, the report claimed, signifies “the high water mark of a wave of populist sentiment that is resoundingly anti-free trade, and skeptical of international institutions.”
On Monday, Trump vowed to withdraw from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) free trade agreement shortly after his inauguration in January.
