bilaterals.org logo
bilaterals.org logo

Asia

Decoding the IPEF
5-Jul-2023 Third World Network
IPEF is designed by the US for its own prosperity, with developing countries unlikely to gain anything significant from it. Even if the IPEF does not eventually include dispute settlement provisions, and despite some of the provisions appearing to be only statements of intent and more in the nature of cooperation
New economic framework IPEF an empty US pledge: Financial Times
13-Jun-2023 Xinhua
Without substantial new access to the US market or other trade privileges on offer, there’s little incentive for partner countries to make big commitments themselves.
US seeks to wrap up IPEF this year, with sustainability in ag chapter
6-Jun-2023 Agri-Pulse
The US aims to wrap up negotiations on the 14-nation Indo-Pacific Economic Framework this year, but not before key provisions on sustainability are added to the agriculture chapter of the deal, Chief US Agriculture Negotiator Doug McKalip said.
14 IPEF nations forge stronger supply chains to reduce reliance on China
30-May-2023 Mint
In an evident attempt to decrease their dependency on China and prepare for potential future supply chain challenges, 14 nations involved in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework have reached an agreement.
CSO letter to the Commerce Minister on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) and India joining the trade pillar
29-May-2023 Focus on the Global South
On behalf of the Forum for Trade Justice, a CSO letter has been sent to the Indian Commerce Minister. The letter highlights the perils of participating in the IPEF and urges the Commerce Minister to withdraw from the IPEF processes.
Empty promises and prospects: The US-led economic agreement is a liability for Fiji
26-May-2023 PANG
This weekend in Detroit, Trade Ministers from eleven countries will be meeting for the latest round of negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a secretive geopolitical and economic agreement aimed to curtail China.
Civil rights groups warn trade talks may hurt efforts to counter discriminatory algorithms
26-May-2023 The Washington Post
A coalition of civil rights and consumer protection groups warned in a letter to President Biden that ongoing trade talks risk eroding efforts to mitigate algorithmic discrimination.
What to watch at the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial in Detroit
26-May-2023 Public Citizen
As trade ministers gather for the second ministerial meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework talks, recent developments on the ground in Detroit indicate that politically powerful groups are watching with great anticipation.
Disagreements between US, Asian nations complicate IPEF negotiations
24-May-2023 South China Morning Post
The challenges underscore the scheme’s ambitious nature and ‘great difficulty in reaching agreements among a very heterogeneous group of countries’, say analysts.
US-led trade talks with 14 countries, including India, close to reaching supply chains pact
19-May-2023 The Economic Times
Fourteen countries in US-led Indo-Pacific trade talks are nearing an agreement on supply chain coordination and may announce a deal as soon as next week.
IPEF talks underway in Singapore
9-May-2023 Politico
US trade negotiators are in Singapore this week for the latest round of talks over the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, the economic initiative that top administration officials have said they’re on track to conclude by year’s end.
Google, Amazon lobbyists helped US shape new Indo-Pacific Trade Framework
9-May-2023 Bloomberg
US trade officials have solicited the advice of lobbyists for Amazon.com Inc., Alphabet Inc.’s Google and other major technology companies to help craft the new Indo-Pacific trade framework.
USTR’s Tai: Indo-Pacific trade talks could see results this year
21-Apr-2023 Reuters
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Indo-Pacific Economic Framework trade negotiations are progressing "at a very quick pace" and she expects results from the talks as early as by the end of the year.
Corporations dominate trade advisory panels
19-Apr-2023 The American Prospect
Trade advisers get special access to agreements and can comment on them before they are made public. More than 4 out of 5 advisers represent corporations.
International “digital trade” agreements: the next frontier
19-Apr-2023 AI Now
International trade agreements, typically negotiated in secret and without public deliberation, could prematurely deter or undercut ongoing efforts to regulate the tech industry.
International preemption by “trade” agreement: Big Tech’s ploy to undermine privacy, AI accountability, and anti-monopoly policies
19-Apr-2023 Rethink Trade
The bottom-line is that the USMCA and related TPP digital rules that represent the agenda promoted by Big Tech interests must not become the model or starting text for future agreements.
Asean nations in IPEF pushing for all members to join trade pact: Indonesia’s chief negotiator
7-Apr-2023 The Straits Times
The Asean members who are part of the framework have been pushing for the inclusion of Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.
US agenda revealed at IPEF talks in Bali
5-Apr-2023 AFTINET
The summaries of US inputs at the recent Bali round of negotiations for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) reveal US pressure of the other 13 states to adopt US standards.
Position paper on pure food and genetic modification
21-Mar-2023 Ngā Toki Whakarururanga
Ngā Toki Whakarururanga believes IPEF provisions would cut across the rights, interests, duties and responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples throughout the region.
Why Britain joining the CPTPP is clearly not about the economy
20-Mar-2023 South China Morning Post
‘Global Britain’ needs new friends and trading partners as the economic harm from Brexit becomes clear.