A chairman's statement released after their two-day meeting in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, through the same day stressed that the ministers reaffirm their determination to counter all forms of protectionism.

Meanwhile, the statement also said that a level playing field is necessary for competition in trade, giving consideration to the administration of US President Donald Trump, who is aiming to reduce his country's massive trade deficit under his "America first" slogan.

At a press conference, Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, who chaired the meeting, said that the ministers confirmed their support for the promotion of the APEC forum's trade and investment liberalization goals and diversified trade.

Among the participants at the meeting were Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hiroshige Seko, as well as US Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, who took office last Monday. (Jiji Press)