The heads of state and heads of government of the eighteen countries participated in the summit . 14 of the 21 attendees had attended the 2017 APEC Economic Leaders ' Meeting in Đà Nẵng , Vietnam just two days prior ( November 11 ) , including host of the Summit , Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte . U.S. President Donald Trump initially planned to attend the summit , having already entered the venue , the Philippine International Convention Center , but left before the group photo due to a two hour delay . Secretary of State Rex Tillerson attended in President Trump 's place
2017 APEC Economic Leaders ' Meeting
APEC Vietnam 2017
Twelfth East Asia Summit