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Asia

IPEF negotiations expected to start in August
6-Jul-2022 Business Korea
The US and South Korean governments are expected to initiate negotiations on the framework proposed by US President Joe Biden in August (2022).
Biden’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is a paradigm shift
4-Jul-2022 Foreign Policy
The United States can no longer afford to buy geopolitical allies with market access.
Why the US’ Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is really all about India
17-Jun-2022 South China Morning Post
The framework is another attempt to bring India into the Western fold while positioning it more strategically in the Indo-Pacific trade network
14 nations hold informal IPEF ministerial meeting
13-Jun-2022 Nippon.com
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai convened an informal ministerial meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework partner countries.
Competing US, Canadian strategies in the Indo-Pacific
30-May-2022 CCPA
Minimum core labour standards appear to be a first principle of the US’ IPEF whereas Canada has already signalled to the Indonesian government that worker rights are negotiable in its Indo-Pacific trade deals.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework seeks to protect US, not Malaysian, interests
30-May-2022 New Straits Times
The Consumers’ Association of Penang is extremely concerned over the announcement by Senior Minister of International Trade and Industry that Malaysia will join a new economic agreement led by the United States.
The what, where, how and why of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
27-May-2022 Madhyam
Unlike traditional FTAs, the IPEF employs a menu-based approach in which countries would launch separate negotiations under the four pillars of the initiative.
Fiji to join Biden’s economic framework aimed at countering China
27-May-2022 Al Jazeera
Fiji will become the 14th country and first Pacific island nation to join the US’ economic framework, the White House announced, delivering a boost to Washington’s efforts to counter growing Chinese influence in the Asia Pacific.
Farmers for Free Trade asks value of IPEF without tariff reduction
25-May-2022 The Fence Post
The IPEF will see commitments with partners that facilitate agricultural trade through science-based decision making and the adoption of sound, transparent regulatory practices, says USTR.
Statement: International Civil Society reactions to announcement of IPEF member Countries
24-May-2022 Public Citizen
Academics and representatives of CSOs in IPEF member countries, reflect a shared demand for any Indo-Pacific discussions to advance a genuine alternative to the failed 20th century free trade model, which has undermined governments’ ability to regulate Big Tech and other large corporations.
Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is not an FTA: 5 things to know
20-May-2022 Nikkei Asia
Tailored pact seeks to counter China’s clout while protecting US workers.
The US kicks off neocolonialism via Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
20-May-2022 CGTN
The IPEF represents continuity between the colonialist past and neocolonialist present in the Indo-Pacific region.
Thailand to join talks on US-led Indo-Pacific framework
19-May-2022 Nikkei Asia
This decision to engage in negotiations is not a commitment by Thailand to join the final arrangement, the government said.
US picks negotiators for Biden’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework
19-May-2022 Bloomberg
Sharon Yuan, a veteran of the Treasury Department who worked on the abandoned Trans-Pacific Partnership, has been hired to oversee staff work on the main points of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
What consequences will joining Biden’s IPEF have for S. Korea?
19-May-2022 Hankyoreh
The US-led economic framework is designed to reorganize supply chains around the US — possibly sowing the seeds of conflict with China.
‘Indo-Pacific Economic Framework’ not a blessing to Asia
16-May-2022 Khmer Times
IPEF is created to encourage regional economies to “decouple” from the Chinese market by leading them to alternative supply chains.
US proposes pick-and-choose Indo-Pacific economic framework
13-May-2022 Hindustan Times
A State Department spokesperson said the US was still discussing the mechanics of the framework with its partners but will design IPEF to prioritise flexibility and inclusion
AfCFTA: Cross-border service integration will boost African oil and gas industry, says Briggs
11-May-2022 This Day
Chief Dumo Lulu Briggs, Chairman of Platform Petroleum Limited, has admonished that cross-border service integration through the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will boost the African oil and gas industry.
US Indo-Pacific economic initiative launch eyed in May: Japan envoy
10-May-2022 Kyodo
The US government aims to launch its Indo-Pacific economic engagement initiative around the time of President Joe Biden’s visit to Japan later in May.
IPEF at the crossroads
10-May-2022 Eyes on Trade
"Lobbyists for the giant corporations are celebrating IPEF as the second coming of the TPP," warned Senator Warren.