WASHINGTON -- Top Japanese and American economic officials have called for speedy implementation of Washington's proposed Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, as the U.S. seeks partners for an economic bloc to counter China's growing influence.
"We agreed that we should bring together as many like-minded countries as possible and launch it in the near future," Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Koichi Hagiuda told reporters after meeting Wednesday with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.
