U.S.-led Pacific trade framework may see results this year: USTR

U.S. Trade Representative Tai says goal is not to decouple from China

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai speaks at a media briefing in Tokyo on April 20. The U.S. is working to create the 14-nation Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. (Photo by Natsumi Kawasaki)

NATSUMI KAWASAKI, Nikkei staff writer

April 20, 2023 17:16 JST

TOKYO -- Talks to hammer out the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) are making "very good progress," and could see tangible results as early as this year, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said Thursday.

Tai was speaking at a media briefing in Tokyo, where she met Japanese officials to discuss details of the U.S.-led initiative, with a third round of negotiations scheduled for next month in Singapore.