SINGAPORE – Countries should continue to pursue economic openness and collaboration through forums and platforms like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grouping, even as the global consensus that has sustained openness has weakened, said Second Minister for Finance Jeffrey Siow.Speaking at the APEC finance ministers’ meeting in Hong Kong on Oct 20, he noted that inking free trade agreements may no longer be in trend.This comes as strategic competition is increasingly driving countries to impose trade restrictions and distribute industrial subsidies to protect their critical sectors and secure supply chains.Against this backdrop, Siow said: “We need more forums and platforms like…