Australia's trade minister is refusing to give up on the all-but-doomed Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal after meeting his United States counterpart at the APEC summit in Peru.
Their meeting comes as world leaders are set to touch down in Peru's capital, Lima, for the annual Asia-Pacific trade talks.
The entire setting is being dominated by the man who is not there -- US president-elect Donald Trump.
It is the sound of the daily ceremony at Peru's presidential palace.
But even in Peru, it is the looming change of the man in the White House in Washington that is preoccupying everyone gathered for APEC 2016.
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The gathering represents half of the world's trade and is dedicated to opening markets, but the attention is on United States president-elect Donald Trump.
Those attending are wondering what will happen when the next leader of the United States, one of APEC's biggest members, wants to put up barriers.
APEC stands for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, but what if the cooperation is not there?
Peru's Second Vice President, Mercedes Araoz, acknowledges Mr Trump's protectionist campaign is influencing the talks here.
"What they're taking issue with is valid in all societies in the face of globalisation, and perhaps a bit of rejection of it. The request is to apply some mechanisms to make it more inclusive."
Before the leaders' arrival, their ministers and secretaries were already getting to work.
Australian trade minister Steve Ciobo has already met with his South Korean and US counterparts before Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's arrival.
Bilateral talks are common on the sidelines of such global meetings, but he admits all talks focus on the US situation.
"Everyone's been watching with great interest things happening in the United States."
And while US president Barack Obama's major, 12-nation trade deal, the Trans Pacific Partnership, is all but dead, Steve Ciobo says he sees life elsewhere.
"That is only one agreement, as well as part of a broad tapestry of different agreements that are currently under negotiation, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, as well as discussions here around the free-trade agreement for the Asia-Pacific region."
In the new economic climate, those deals are a harder sell, but Mr Ciobo says he will keep making the case.
"To join the dots in a very clear way so Australians get that, as a consequence of trade agreements that we undertake, it's not about losing jobs or outsourcing work, it's actually about opening new markets for Australian exporters."
Malcolm Turnbull will also be holding a number of one-on-one discussions, including his last one with President Obama.
The pair are expected to discuss the deal they have been working on since January for the United States to take up to 1,600 refugees from Manus Island and Nauru.
