For more information on how these developments may affect your business, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
IPEF
The U.S. will host the third in-person ministerial meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Nov. 13-14 in San Francisco. This meeting will follow the latest IPEF negotiating round, currently underway in the same location, and will “review the progress to date” on those negotiations, which are focusing on the issues of trade, clean economy, and fair economy. Press sources note that the latter two issues could be wrapped up at the ministerial but that talks on trade are likely to continue. An IPEF agreement on supply chain issues was concluded earlier this year.
China
Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is expected to meet with Chinese Premier He Lifeng in San Francisco this week ahead of a potential meeting between President Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum meeting later this month. A Voice of America article noted that bilateral working groups on economic and financial policy are expected to meet during the Yellen-He talks but that no significant developments are expected to result.
Latin America
According to a Department of Commerce press release, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Marisa Lago is traveling to El Salvador and Costa Rica Nov. 8-14. Topics of discussion are expected to include business environment, digital economy, trade facilitation, cybersecurity, and health technology. Lago will also discuss with U.S. and local businesses in Costa Rica bilateral efforts to strengthen supply chain resiliency and support economic growth in critical digital technology sectors.
Taiwan
According to a Reuters article, Taiwan has signed an enhanced trade partnership with the United Kingdom that it “hopes will further boost its case to join a major pan-Pacific free trade pact and bolster the island’s ties with other European states.”
Uzbekistan
Following the third session of the U.S.-Uzbekistan Strategic Partnership Dialogue held Nov. 7 in Tashkent, the two sides issued a statement noting the following trade-related developments: (1) the U.S. reaffirmed its support for Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization, (2) the U.S. welcomed Uzbekistan’s ongoing reforms aimed at liberalizing the economy as part of an effort to grow and diversify trade and investment, and (3) the two sides signed a cultural property agreement that commits them to combating the illicit trade of antiquities, historical artifacts, and cultural objects.
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