A year from now, the group picture of world leaders could have changed drastically.

Leaders from around the world have converged in Peru for the annual APEC summit, a highly anticipated event that promises to be quite different from previous years. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined the economic forum this week, along with other notable figures such as US President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Their presence in the South American nation comes as a prelude to the upcoming discussions with President-elect Donald Trump.

One of the main topics on the agenda is the looming threat of trade policies proposed by the incoming US administration. According to Nine's political editor Charles Croucher, world leaders are concerned about the potential for a trade war between the superpowers, which could have negative consequences for economies around the globe. In fact, Biden even had a meeting with Chinese President XI Jinping, who chose to skip the summit in Lima.

"The two leaders are aware of the potential consequences of a trade war and its impact on prices and jobs, particularly in Australia," Croucher reported. Albanese himself used the summit as a platform to emphasize the importance of fair and free trade between nations. In a later press conference, he spoke positively about his interactions with President Biden, whom he regards as a personal friend and a strong ally to Australia.

While at the summit, Albanese also took the opportunity to meet with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Peru's President Dina Boluarte. These meetings were intended to showcase Australia's trade interests, especially in light of Trump's impending return to office. As part of the summit's tradition, leaders from the region also gathered for a group photo, symbolizing their commitment to working together for the betterment of their economies.

As this year's summit draws to a close, plans are already underway for next year's event in Korea. With Trump set to represent US interests, it will undoubtedly be another important gathering for world leaders to discuss and strategize on economic policies and trade relations.

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