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Malaysia touts trade access as US Indo-Pacific plan only a ’good beginning’
16-May-2022 Reuters
Malaysia views US President Joe Biden’s proposed Indo-Pacific economic bloc as a welcome initiative but sees a bigger immediate opportunity in selling its access to a China-led trade pact.
‘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
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.
South Korea’s incoming government considers joining US economic pact
10-May-2022 Reuters
South Korea is "positively considering" joining an Indo-Pacific economic pact planned by the United States, a government official said.
Russia’s meandering return path to investing in Africa – OpEd
5-May-2022 Eurasia Review
United States, European Union and their Pacific allies’ sanctions are fast-driving Russia towards Africa. As the sanctions bite, Russia continues stepping up to realign with Africa, stemming its policy with mountainous pledges.
Biden’s Indo-Pacific Framework: ‘Cloud cuckoo land’
3-May-2022 Inside Sources
Asian and American trade experts characterize the framework as “weak tea,” consisting of “all of the things the US considers important” but little for Indo-Pacific nations in return for their membership obligations.
Ardern confirms interest in US economic framework
2-May-2022 Newsroom
Speaking to a US business summit, Jacinda Ardern has confirmed NZ interest in a major economic initiative out of Washington while calling on the US to be more engaged in the region on trade
S. Korea presses US to ratify key international labor conventions
28-Apr-2022 Hankyoreh
With the Korean government last year having ratified three conventions, including one prohibiting the use of forced labor, it has now ratified seven of eight core ILO conventions. Meanwhile, the US has ratified only two.
US, UK trade officials to meet for 3rd round of talks in Boston
27-Apr-2022 Reuters
US and British trade officials will meet again in Boston in June to continue their dialogue on strengthening trade ties.
NI protocol the main barrier to trade deal, says US official
26-Apr-2022 Euractiv
The impasse over the status of the Northern Ireland protocol is one of the main obstacles to a US-UK trade deal, Washington’s trade representative Katherine Tai said.
Britain’s hopes of post-Brexit US trade deal ‘depend on workers’ rights’
25-Apr-2022 The Guardian
Unions from both sides of the Atlantic accuse Boris Johnson’s government of failing to grasp importance of labour rights.
UK ministers expect first trade deals with individual US states to be secured ‘within weeks’
21-Apr-2022 Institute of Export
The planned agreements will not be legally binding or cut tariffs, UK trade minister said.
Groups to USTR, USDA: Panama must fully implement trade pact
21-Apr-2022 DRGNews
Panama submitted a formal request to revise the agricultural tariff elimination terms of the US FTA. US agriculture groups urge the Biden administration to oppose any changes to agricultural tariffs, TRQs or safeguards.
What is IPEF, and will it help the US counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific?
14-Apr-2022 South China Morning Post
The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework seeks to establish trade rules and is widely seen as an effort by the US to counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific region.
Biden’s Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is at a crossroads
12-Apr-2022 The Hill
Unless the Biden administration chooses the right path, the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework will be more or less forgotten by the end of the year.
India-Australia trade pact pushes back against ’panda in the room’
11-Apr-2022 Nikkei Asia
Both members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue along with the U.S. and Japan, look to manage difficult relations with China and promote a "free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific."
S. Korea, Australia discuss US-proposed economic framework, supply chains
6-Apr-2022 Yonhap
Top trade officials of South Korea and Australia vowed to boost cooperation on the US-led economic initiative in the Indo-Pacific region and other trade issue.
Negotiations to begin on US Indo-Pacific trade pact, but more details needed
1-Apr-2022 AFTINET
It remains unclear as to whether the agreement will be legally binding, whether it will contain dispute resolution mechanisms, and whether it will be an ‘all in’ agreement or allow parties to choose what they sign up to.