APEC leaders meet in Japan

Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) group is meeting in Japan after widespread criticism of the G20’s watered-down commitments in Seoul. Once again the US and China, still fussing over who is doing more to damage international trade, are key to talks on policies to ensure balanced growth. APEC leaders meet in Japan Yet as leaders meet in Japan, analysts continue to ponder the plight of a country far away. The question is can Ireland’s debt-burdened economy mend itself without outside help? “So far, I have not received any kind of request from the Irish authorities and I think they can manage alone,” said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn who is attending the summit. “If, at one point in time, tomorrow, in two months, in two years, the Irish want some support from the IMF, then, of course, we will be ready as for all of our members.” Rows between APEC members have risen to the surface as Yokohama hosts the summit. Notably, thousands of Japanese demonstrated against what they said was China’s imperialism. Relations between the two countries have soured in a spat over disputed islands. Anti-globalization activists, left-wing students and other nationalist groups also marched.

APEC leaders meet in Japan

Yet as leaders meet in Japan, analysts continue to ponder the plight of a country far away. The question is can Ireland’s debt-burdened economy mend itself without outside help?

“So far, I have not received any kind of request from the Irish authorities and I think they can manage alone,” said the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn who is attending the summit. “If, at one point in time, tomorrow, in two months, in two years, the Irish want some support from the IMF, then, of course, we will be ready as for all of our members.”

Rows between APEC members have risen to the surface as Yokohama hosts the summit. Notably, thousands of Japanese demonstrated against what they said was China’s imperialism. Relations between the two countries have soured in a spat over disputed islands.

Anti-globalization activists, left-wing students and other nationalist groups also marched.