ANTHONY ALBANESE, PRIME MINISTER: The APEC Economic Leaders’ Summit has just concluded, and it was a very successful gathering. It was an opportunity for me as Australia's Prime Minister to meet, between here and also the East Asia Summit and ASEAN, to meet with more than 20 leaders. I have had bilateral formal meetings with eight of our leading partners as well as informal discussions. So, the first opportunity to meet the new Japanese Prime Minister, the first opportunity to meet the new Prime Minister of Thailand, as well as renew some old relationships as well. An opportunity to have discussions with President Trump and President Xi. To work with our Korean partners here with President Lee and to as well while here in Korea to visit POSCO, Australia's major commercial partner. $18.3 billion of exports to just one company here in Korea at the Pohang steelworks, but importantly as well, the work that we're doing, $8.5 million is the initial commitment, to the green energy partnership that we are having with Korea, working on ways to produce green steel to advance our green economies.
There was a theme at today's APEC Summit of how we deal with the challenge, but also the opportunity, of artificial intelligence and new technologies. We need to make sure that countries don't get left behind and that within countries people don't get left behind by the pace of technological change. We know that artificial intelligence will transform the way that work happens in Australia and indeed right around the world. It will transform the way that economic activity occurs. But it's also important that we safeguard human intellectual property and participation. Particularly, there's concerns about the creative sector and others. I approached it by speaking about the need to act with urgency, because these new technologies are moving very fast; purpose, because we need to be clear about making sure that people are included in the transition; and with new technologies, inevitably there's some disruption. There are usually more jobs created at the end of the process than were in existence at the beginning, such as the technologies that you're holding here at this press conference with iPhones and this new technology. It can be disruptive. So, we need to be very conscious about making sure that the take up and the benefit from new technology is inclusive.
And the third, which was a theme, is of course the transition to net zero and clean energy. It is something that was raised by most of the leaders at APEC, because the adaption of new technology presents an opportunity to shift our economy to a more sustainable basis, to reduce pollution and to make sure that people benefit. So, it was a very successful forum. Australia relies upon free and fair trade. One in four of Australia's jobs is trade dependent. And the APEC economies represent over 70 per cent of our trade, but over 60 per cent of global GDP as well between the 21 economies that are represented here. So, I want to thank our Korean hosts, President Lee. The event last night was a cultural experience with a message as well, along those lines of inclusivity, sustainability and participation as well. And they have been very gracious hosts indeed. Happy to take some questions.
JOURNALIST: The EU and the UK have pledged to ban refined fuel imports from third countries like India that are still buying Russian crude. Will Australia consider following suit and tightening its regime?
PRIME MINISTER: What we'll do is do whatever we can, as we've said, to deal with Russia. We have very strong sanctions on Russia and we'll continue to look at ways in which Russia can be isolated because of our strong support for the people of Ukraine in the struggle for their sovereignty.
JOURNALIST: The Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's warned the era of free trade and investment has ended. Do you agree with this?
PRIME MINISTER: What I do when I'm put questions from other leaders is do the same thing that I do every time, and then people can write that I didn't answer, and respond. I put our position, which is we want free and fair trade. We're in a period of disruption. We can see that. Everyone knows that. You know it, I know it and businesses involved in Australia and around the world know it. What we need to do is to continue to reiterate – as Mark Carney, I know, does – the benefit of trade. Trade benefits the world. It's a way that, if you look at globalisation, it has had a positive impact of lifting people out of poverty. Trade is a way that we can engage in increased efficiency and increased productivity, which is why Australia is a strong advocate of it, as is Canada.
JOURNALIST: China's President Xi was given centre stage at the group photo. He was alongside South Korea's leader throughout most of this summit. Do you think China is now playing the greater role as a champion of free trade compared to the US?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, it's called sitting next to, because they're the incoming Chair. So, these things are just formal. So, you can read into things, whatever you like, but that's the way it works. There's normally a troika, so you have your past, your present and your future chairs. The same thing will happen at the G20 where the US will be seated, I predict, the US will be seated next to South Africa. There's formalities about these things.
JOURNALIST: Just on the second half of that question, do you see China as taking the lead when it comes to being the defender of the free trade system?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, China, during this summit, they did advocate for support for the WTO. They did advocate for trade and for dialogue. They put forward increased cooperation, for example, in artificial intelligence. President Xi proposed a global body to deal with artificial intelligence cooperation going forward. China will chair the next – they are now the Chair of APEC, as the handover has occurred. And I look forward to attending the APEC meeting next year. It'll be held in Shenzhen next November. I'll see you all there.
JOURNALIST: You had a chance to dine in the last few days with both President Xi, last night we saw you sitting quite close, and then also President Trump, obviously a couple of days ago. How does that sort of casual diplomacy suit your style in helping to put Australia's case to those leaders?
PRIME MINISTER: I quite enjoy the informal dialogue as well. I was able to have four or five interactions with President Xi. I had multiple interactions with President Trump as well. But the informal dinner, of course, that occurred here with President Trump, that was a couple of hours of informal discussion. That's how you build relationships. It's the formal meetings where there are bilats and people take notes and I report to you what is said, and then there is just engagement with people. And just like I’ve had a beer at a pub in Balmain with at least one person here. That's how you then, when you're in a more formal situation, can engage. And all of you will engage at the Lodge in a couple of weeks’ time as well.
JOURNALIST: Just on that, Prime Minister, President Trump is quite a character. What do you have in common? What is the sort of interest that you have? It was a huge moment this week. He called you up for the fabulous work you were doing. Could you have expected to be seated next to him, clinking glasses even five, six years ago?
PRIME MINISTER: We have got on very well in the phone conversations that we've had as well. I deal with people on an equal basis. I think Australians are like that. And I bring the Australian character to my Prime Ministership.
JOURNALIST: What is the Australian character?
PRIME MINISTER: I think we're all a bit different, but we're all pretty relaxed, and we're all straight talking. We're less formal than some cultures. That's the truth. Some of us even wear T-shirts when we get off planes.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you mentioned that China will be hosting the next APEC. Do you think that's appropriate given its history of trade sanctions, including on Australia?
PRIME MINISTER: Yes, it is. They're a major economy. They're Australia's major trading partner. Australia supported China hosting APEC. It's an important relationship for Australia. If we look at our exports, about 30 per cent go to China. It is in Australia's interest to engage with China. That is what I have done.
JOURNALIST: Prime Minister, you've discussed the importance of net zero. At this meeting tomorrow morning, we believe the Nationals will sit down and reformulate their plan for net zero. And there's some suggestion they might try to peg emissions reductions in Australia to the performance of other countries around the world. Do you see a feasible plan for emissions reductions that takes into account global performance?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, I'm not going to talk about – I'll talk about domestic issues in Australia, when I'm talking domestically, there'll be lots of time for that. But on climate change. Climate change is real. Climate change is having an impact. When I, as the Australian Prime Minister, engage in international forums, I'm an advocate for action on climate change, not just by Australia, but by the globe, because we all need to act. And one of the issues that was discussed at APEC was how new technology can be deployed to reduce global emissions. People spoke very strongly about the need to reduce emissions. That was a common theme across the board from the economies that were represented today.
JOURNALIST: On AI - the theme of today, China and the US are locked in an intense rivalry over high technology, chips, semiconductors, et cetera. That's going to shape the coming decades of the global world order. How do you see that playing out for Australia wedged between these two superpowers?
PRIME MINISTER: I want to see more cooperation, and I believe that the meeting that took place this week between President Trump and President Xi was an important step forward. Both of them have agreed to dialogue next year. It is in each other's respective countries’ – in China, with President Trump visiting there and President Xi visiting the United States. It is in the world's interest for the world's two largest economies and powers to engage with each other constructively. What they do has an impact right around the world. We live in an interconnected world. The comment was made by a few people over recent days about the impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine had an impact on supermarket shelves in Chile, in Mexico as well as in Australia. So, we need to encourage cooperation as much as possible across the board. It's what Australia does, and it's what we want to see more of. And I think there's been some positive steps forward this week.
JOURNALIST: Just finally, how was the entertainment last night?
PRIME MINISTER: The entertainment last night was quite extraordinary. I've been to a few of these dinners now. This is my fourth APEC summit and the theme that was there of change, but care for the environment, it was beautifully done, and it was an expression of Korean culture. Everything from dance that was reminiscent, for me, the nearest comparison I can do is with the extraordinary work that Bangarra do in Australia. It was quite extraordinary. The K-Pop had energy to it as well. And we had a young violinist, a 12-year-old, who was quite extraordinary in her talent while playing with robots dancing on the stage. And then the choir brought together young people, children from across the APEC economies, and it was very well done. And I think for future hosts of these events, the stakes have certainly been raised.
Thank you.