Parallel request for comments by USTR on the Framework trade pillar at
https://www.aeaweb.org/forum/2428/pacific-economic-framework-seeks-input-resilient-trade-pillar
Mar 11 -- The U.S. Department of Commerce seeks comments regarding multiple pillars of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) -- including digital and emerging technologies; supply chain resilience; infrastructure, clean energy, and decarbonization; and tax and anti-corruption. The deadline for the submission of written comments is April 11, 2022.
On October 27, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden announced that the United States would explore the development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to deepen economic relations in the Indo-Pacific region and coordinate approaches to addressing global economic challenges. The Secretary of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative will co-chair the U.S. team leading the negotiations of the framework. The United States Trade Representative will lead the Framework's pillar on fair and resilient trade, and the Department of Commerce will lead the Framework's pillars on: (1) Supply chain resilience; (2) infrastructure, clean energy, and decarbonization; and (3) tax and anti-corruption.
Accordingly, the Department of Commerce is seeking public comments on key areas of interest, including: Digital and emerging technologies; supply chain resilience; infrastructure, decarbonization, and clean energy; and tax and anti-corruption. Launching negotiations on these topics under the IPEF is an important step towards strengthening U.S. economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region and presents a novel approach to promoting durable, broad-based economic growth. This notice requests comments and information from the public to assist the Secretary of Commerce in developing the U.S. position in these negotiations.
The Department of Commerce is developing negotiating objectives and positions to shape cooperation with potential IPEF partners which could include various types of commitments, cooperative actions, and other measures. To that end, via this general solicitation, the Department of Commerce invites interested parties to comment on issues that the Department of Commerce should address in the negotiations, including whether those issues have particular relevance for any of the economies in the Indo-Pacific region. The Department of Commerce seeks broad input from all interested stakeholders—including industry, researchers, academia, labor, and civil society. To the extent commenters choose to respond to particular matters related to the negotiations, they may comment on any of the following:
1. General negotiating objectives for the IPEF.
2. Digital and emerging technologies-related issues.
3. Supply chain resilience-related issues.
4. Infrastructure-related issues.
5. Clean energy-related issues.
6. Decarbonization-related issues.
7. Tax-related issues.
8. Anti-corruption-related issues.
9. Issues of particular relevance to small and medium-sized businesses that should be addressed in the negotiations.
10. Other issues for consideration.
FR notice:
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2022-05206