Asia-Pacific Summit Closes With Call to Work for Free Trade

General view of an economic leaders' meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit at Lima's Convention Centre on November 20, 2016 in Lima. Asia-Pacific leaders are expected to send a strong message in defense of free trade as they wrap up a summit that has been overshadowed by US President-elect Donald Trump's protectionism. / AFP / Brendan Smialowski (Photo credit should read BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images)
Photographer: Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images

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By Associated Press

November 20, 2016 at 10:02 PM UTC

Updated on

November 21, 2016 at 1:26 AM UTC

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Lima, Peru (AP) -- Leaders of 21 Asia-Pacific nations ended their annual summit Sunday with a call to resist protectionism amid signs of increased free-trade skepticism, highlighted by the victory of Donald Trump in the U.S. presidential election.

The Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum also closed with a joint pledge to work toward a sweeping new free trade agreement that would include all 21 members as a path to "sustainable, balanced and inclusive growth," despite the political climate.