Biden's IPEF trade pact lacks core policy: CSIS head

John Hamre says U.S. needs to rebuild Japan's confidence in nuclear deterrence

CSIS President John Hamre tells the CSIS/NIKKEI Symposium in Tokyo on Oct. 21 that "the Biden Administration needs to address" Japan's misgivings about America's commitment to keeping its nuclear umbrella over its Asian allies. (Photo by Mayumi Tsumita)

KEN MORIYASU, Nikkei Asia diplomatic correspondent

October 21, 2022 12:35 JST

TOKYO -- The Biden administration's lack of a coherent trade policy will hamper Washington's efforts to place a greater focus on the Indo-Pacific, John Hamre, CEO of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said on Friday.

"Where I fault the Biden Administration is on their weak policy concerning trade," the head of the Washington-based think tank told the CSIS/Nikkei Symposium in Tokyo via video.