Progress, No Deals at IPEF Round Six

Negotiators on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework reported progress was made at the sixth round of talks in Malaysia, but no agreements were reached, even as the Administration hopes to substantially wrap up a deal before the end of this year.

IPEF countries continued to make progress on negotiations towards high-standard outcomes under Pillars I (Trade), III (Clean Economy) and IV (Fair Economy), according to a joint readout from the US Trade Representative’s Office and Commerce Department.

Officials also continued discussions on next steps for the proposed IPEF Supply Chain Agreement (Pillar II) following substantial conclusion of negotiations in May and public release of the text in September.

The sixth round was held October 15 through 24 in Kuala Lumpur. The US delegation was co-led by Sarah Ellerman, Assistant USTR for Southeast Asia and the Pacific and IPEF Pillar I Chief Negotiator and Sharon H. Yuan, Commerce Counselor and IPEF Pillars II-IV Chief Negotiator.

During the negotiating round, USTR and Commerce officials also briefed Congressional committee staff and cleared advisors in attendance.

Additional negotiating rounds are expected this year.
The Administration has been hoping the IPEF would be largely completed in time for next month’s summit of Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders in San Francisco. Reuters news service reported yesterday that agreement on the trade pillar is not likely to happen by that meeting, but there could be progress to report in the clean energy and anti-corruption pillars.