APEC Summit 2025: What the new trade deals mean for investors

The landmark agreements forged at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea mark a pivotal step towards deeper economic collaboration between the United States and major Asian economies.

But what are the implications for financial markets and global investors? The latest report from Deutsche Bank Private Bank’s Chief Investment Office provides detailed insights into how these developments could shape investment strategies and market dynamics moving forward.

What happened at the summit?

• Historic trade agreements: The U.S. and Asia-Pacific nations have committed to deeper trade integration, boosting near-term market confidence.
• Technology takes centre stage: Asia’s tech giants - especially in China, Taiwan, and South Korea - are poised to benefit from the AI-driven innovation wave.
• Despite optimism, structural vulnerabilities and potential geopolitical tensions could trigger volatility.

Why does this matter for Investors?

In the short term, Asian markets are expected to see improved sentiment and increased liquidity following the recent APEC Summit, creating a more favourable investment environment. However, the CIO team cautions investors to remain aware of medium-term risks, as trade frictions and policy uncertainties could re-emerge and potentially dampen market performance. Looking further ahead, the AI and semiconductor sectors continue to offer strong long-term growth prospects, supported by ongoing innovation and robust regional demand.

Explore the full analysis

The “APEC Summit – The Deals and Their Implications” report, authored by the Private Bank’s Chief Investment Office - Prof. Dr. Jacky Tang (Chief Investment Officer and Head of Discretionary Portfolio Management Emerging Markets), Dr. Dirk Steffen, (Chief Investment Officer EMEA), Jason Liu Head (Head of Chief Investment Office APAC), Wolf Kisker (Senior Investment Strategist), and Swati Bashyam (Investment Officer) - dives deeper into sector-specific investment implication, strategic opportunities in technology and energy, and risk management strategies for global portfolios.