2nd IPEF Negotiators’ Meeting: United States...

According to Jetro, on March 19, following the conclusion of the 2nd IPEF (Indo-Pacific Economic Framework) Negotiators’ Meeting held from March 13 to 19 in Bali, Indonesia, the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Commerce issued a joint statement. As in the first negotiators’ meeting, the U.S. delegation was led by Sarah Alarman, Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and Chief Negotiator, along with Sharon Yang, Senior Advisor and Chief Negotiator from the Department of Commerce.

At the ministerial meeting held in Los Angeles in September 2022, the 14 IPEF member countries established negotiation objectives in four areas: (1) trade, (2) supply chains, (3) clean economy, and (4) fair economy. The first negotiators’ meeting took place in Australia in December 2022, followed by a meeting in India in February 2023 covering supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy.

According to the joint statement, ahead of the 2nd negotiators’ meeting, USTR shared draft negotiation texts on labor, environment, digital trade, and technical assistance with participating countries. Additionally, the governments of Australia and New Zealand proposed texts on inclusivity. Prior to the first negotiators’ meeting, USTR had shared texts on trade facilitation, agriculture, domestic regulation of services, transparency, and good regulatory practices. The Department of Commerce has also provided texts on other areas, including supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy. At the latest meeting, IPEF participants exchanged views on these newly proposed texts and followed up on discussions from previous meetings.

The joint statement also noted that IPEF members remain committed to an active negotiation schedule throughout 2023. Details of future negotiators’ meetings will be announced at a later date. In its March publication, “Trade Policy Agenda and 2022 Annual Report”, USTR emphasized its intention to conduct intensive negotiations in 2023 to achieve high-standard agreements under IPEF.

Participating IPEF Countries: United States, Japan, India, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Australia, and Fiji.

(Report by Hiroyuki Kaino)