Kuala Lampur, Oct. 31 -- Most Asia-Pacific countries want and are heading in the direction of free and open trade, a senior official at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) secretariat said, as US President Donald Trump's tariffs overshadowed the forum's annual summit.

Carlos Kuriyama, Director of the Policy Support Unit, also told Reuters today that he was confident the summit would reach a joint declaration, noting that all member countries, including the US, were working hard on it.

"I think many Apec members continue advocating for free trade. We heard some presidents and prime ministers, some economic leaders, do that earlier on (at the forum)," Kuriyama said.

The interview was conducted on the sidelines of the annual meet...