Trump Breaks Seclusion to Attend Diplomatic Stage and White House Briefing

Return to Work Through Normal Diplomatic Stage
Attends Official Event After One Week
Still Does Not Respond to Reporters' Questions
Remarks Interpreted as Admission of Defeat Made

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Donald Trump, the President of the United States, who had remained out of sight at the White House following his presidential election defeat, returned to the diplomatic stage through the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) virtual summit.

President Trump attended the APEC summit held virtually on the morning of the 20th (local time).

The White House stated in a press release, "President Trump reaffirmed America's commitment to promoting peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region through strong economic growth and unprecedented economic recovery from the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19)."

President Donald Trump (bottom right of the screen) is attending the APEC summit held via video conference. President Moon Jae-in and Chinese President Xi Jinping also participated in the event. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

The White House also explained, "President Trump, together with APEC leaders, adopted the 'APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040' and emphasized America's global health leadership, including the successful development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines."

President Trump's attendance at the APEC meeting marks his first participation in three years since 2017. In 2018, Vice President Mike Pence attended, and in 2019, the host country Chile canceled the event due to protests, preventing attendance.

President Trump's attendance at the meeting was uncertain until just before the event, but he decided to participate at the last moment.

Although President Trump appeared, his appearance differed from other leaders. While other heads of state appeared with the official APEC background on screen, President Trump appeared with the seal of the President of the United States as his background. AFP news agency, citing sources, reported that President Trump refused to use the official APEC background.

U.S. President Donald Trump is giving a briefing on the 20th. [Image source=AP Yonhap News]

President Trump also returned to regular duties that day. In the afternoon, he held a briefing at the White House on lowering drug prices but again did not answer reporters' questions. This was the first time in a week that President Trump appeared before reporters since the press conference on COVID-19 vaccines on the 13th. He also did not attend the COVID-19 task force briefing held the day before for the first time in four months.

While announcing new regulations related to lowering drug prices, President Trump said, "This will never happen. I just hope they follow through. I hope they have the courage to do so," referring to lobbying by the pharmaceutical industry.

This statement was interpreted as anticipating the incoming administration and acknowledging defeat, but President Trump soon repeated his claim that he won the election.

Since the victory of President-elect Joe Biden was confirmed on the 7th, President Trump has remained secluded at the White House and has been criticized for effectively 'shirking duties.'

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.