Commentary
President Joe Biden took advantage of his first Asia trip to announce a so-called Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). He floated the idea to an assembly of 12 nations from the region, notably not including China and Taiwan.
The White House heralded the president’s visit and the announcement as indicative of America’s return to Asian engagement. The IPEF will do little as it stands, but it does have the potential to bring nations in the region closer to the United States while at the same time excluding China. To enjoy even a modicum success, this initiative will require a lot of additional effort on Washington’s part….