ALI Hosts Department of Commerce Officials to Discuss IPEF

ALI members only event

Speakers:

• Sharon Yuan, Chief IPEF Negotiator, U.S. Department of Commerce

• Elizabeth Economy, Special Advisor, U.S. Department of Commerce

• Luis Jimenez, Deputy Chief of Staff

ALI hosted the senior IndoPacific Economic Framework (IPEF) negotiating team from the Department of Commerce (DOC) for a conversation. The negotiators gave an update on negotiations, including the enthusiasm by all the countries to join all the pillars (except India). The negotiators acknowledged the challenge of negotiating a new type of agreement, with no precedent. While the negotiators have accomplished the goal of inclusivity, they will now seek to achieve high standards. The group discussed the digital part of the framework, including the need for internet infrastructure and strong standards to guard against the pressure of authoritarian standards. There was a discussion of DOC’s initiative to provide digital upskilling for women and girls in the IPEF countries and group discussed how broader partnerships with the private sector could help countries align with IPEF’s goals.