Although these ASEAN national customs and trade authorities coordinate with each other, disputes may arise. The ASEAN Secretariat has no legal authority to settle these disputes, so disputes are settled bilaterally through informal means or through dispute settlement. Read more: Apec Summit: Free Trade in Asia in the Age of Protectionism The Heads of State and Government Statement states that the agreement “shows our strong commitment to support economic recovery, inclusive development, job creation and strengthening of regional supply chains, as well as our support for an open trade and investment agreement, inclusive and rules-based.” . . .