The United States has hosted a regional roundtable of the APEC Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity (A2C2) in Mexico City, underscoring Washington’s push for more balanced, resilient, and transparent trade ties with Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) partners.

The meeting brought together senior government officials from APEC economies alongside private sector experts to examine ways to strengthen supply chain resilience across the Asia-Pacific region. According to the US State Department, the roundtable focused on improving coordination between governments and industry to address vulnerabilities exposed by recent global disruptions.

The Mexico City discussions built on outcomes from the APEC 2025 Third Senior Officials’ Meeting held in Incheon, South Korea, where members agreed on expanding participation in supply chain initiatives and developing new strategies for engaging the private sector more effectively. Officials said the regional roundtable aimed to translate those priorities into practical action.

US representatives highlighted Washington’s long-standing role within APEC in promoting secure, diversified, and resilient supply chains through initiatives such as A2C2. They emphasized that stronger connectivity is essential for economic stability, particularly as global trade faces challenges ranging from geopolitical tensions to climate-related disruptions.

Participants stressed that resilient supply chains enable businesses to recover more quickly from shocks, reduce dependency on single sources, and expand opportunities across the region. US officials noted that such improvements benefit not only Asia-Pacific economies but also American consumers and companies by improving efficiency, reliability, and predictability in cross-border trade.

A key focus of the roundtable was public-private dialogue, with government officials and industry representatives exchanging views on best practices for supply chain digitalization. Discussions examined how digital tools can improve transparency, speed, and coordination across logistics networks, while also addressing regulatory and operational barriers that can hinder implementation.

Trade digitalization and customs modernization were central themes, with participants exploring how electronic documentation, data-sharing platforms, and streamlined border procedures can reduce delays and costs. Officials emphasized that close coordination between governments and the private sector is critical to ensure digital reforms are workable across diverse economic and regulatory environments.

US officials said the initiative reflects a broader effort to promote fairer and more balanced trade within APEC by aligning policy frameworks with private sector realities. By strengthening supply chain connectivity, the US aims to support inclusive growth, enhance competitiveness, and reinforce trust among regional partners.

Established in 2014, the APEC Alliance for Supply Chain Connectivity serves as an advisory mechanism that brings together experts from APEC economies, businesses, industry associations, multilateral organizations, and non-governmental groups. The alliance contributes to APEC’s broader supply chain connectivity agenda by providing technical expertise and policy recommendations.

The Mexico City roundtable reaffirmed APEC members’ shared commitment to cooperation on supply chain resilience, with participants agreeing that sustained engagement and practical collaboration will be essential to navigating an increasingly complex global trade environment.