Xi and Trump at APEC: Contrasting speeches, and receptions

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It was a chance to hear the leaders of the two most powerful countries on earth – and two biggest economies – speak back to back to the same audience.

A chance to compare and contrast the substance of their speeches, and the reactions of the audience – in this case, heads of government, business leaders, entrepreneurs and analysts at the APEC CEO Summit in Da Nang, Vietnam.

You'd think Donald Trump, the successful business tycoon, would be in his element speaking to such an audience. But APEC aims to promote multilateral free trade deals, and the delegates are overwhelmingly believers in the benefits of globalization.

Trump launched into a scathing indictment of the US trade partners and multilateral trade arrangements, listing off a litany of supposed wrongs these countries have committed at the expense of the US.

US President Donald Trump speaks on the final day of the APEC CEO Summit on the sidelines of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov. 10, 2017. /AP Photo

"When the United States enters into a trading relationship with other countries or other peoples, we will from now on expect that our partners will faithfully follow the rules just like we do," he said.

"From this day forward we will compete on a fair and equal basis. We are not going to let the United States be taken advantage of anymore. I am always going to put America first the same way that I expect all of you in this room to put your countries first."

His comments were met with something like an embarrassed silence. "You must be the beneficiaries of these deals," he quipped.

He did get a polite round of applause as his speech concluded, with some in the crowd waving to him, and many taking the obligatory mobile phone photos and videos.

Minutes later President Xi Jinping took to the stage to applause noticeably several times louder.

China's President Xi Jinping speaks on the final day of the APEC CEO Summit ahead of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam, Nov. 10, 2017. /Reuters Photo

Where Trump's speech seemed superficial and overly negative, Xi's speech focused on how to bring the region closer together, boost connectivity, open trade further, reduce poverty and ensure inclusive growth.

"We should continue to foster an open economy that benefits all. Openness brings progress while self-seclusion leaves one behind. We, the Asia-Pacific economies know this only too well from our own development experience," Xi said.

"We should support the multilateral trading regime and practice open regionalism to allow developing members to benefit more from international trade and investment."

He also hinted at China liberalizing its economy further, something that would doubtless please the previous speaker, Donald J. Trump.

2770km