ALI Hosts Discussion on the Digital Elements of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)

ALI members only event
Speakers:

• Congressman Ami Bera, Chair, Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia, and Nonproliferation

• Congresswoman Suzan DelBene, Vice Chair, Ways and Means Committee, and Chair, New Democrat Coalition

ALI hosted a discussion on the Digital Elements of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. Participants recognized that establishing U.S. standards in the Indo-Pacific puts U.S. workers and business across sectors in the best position to compete and applauded the Administration’s strategy. The group discussed potential elements and partners for a high-standard agreement, and how to make sure countries that can’t meet the standards have a chance to phase-in the agreement over time. The members of Congress agreed that while the plans are for the negotiation to yield an Executive Agreement which will not pass Congress, they will be working closely with the Administration during the course of the negotiations.  There was conversation regarding the carrots and sticks involved in negotiating an agreement with high labor, environmental, and digital standards, and how such an agreement could be enforced, especially without market access provisions. Participants raised need for a single responsible official for the IPEF initiative, given responsibility now seems disbursed across multiple agencies.