
TOKYO/SEOUL -- U.S. President Joe Biden's five-day trip to Asia was an attempt to show the world, and especially China, that the Indo-Pacific is the priority region for his administration.
In a two-pronged approach, Biden sought to strengthen both security and economic ties during his visit. On the security front, whether intentionally or by a slip of tongue, he left nobody doubting he would use force to defend Taiwan if China attempts to invade. On the business front, he launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) as an alternative to Asian trade pacts that don't include the U.S.