Nikkei: US Wants To Postpone IPEF Talks On Digital Rules

Nikkei reports that the US, "wants to postpone Indo-Pacific Economic Framework [IPEF] talks on high-standard digital rules on concerns that Congress will criticize them for benefiting giant tech companies."

• David Boling, former deputy USTR during the Trump administration, told Nikkei: "Many Democrats and Republicans are critical of large digital firms. This domestic political climate is affecting the U.S.'s position in international trade negotiations. The U.S. is now unwilling to promote international trade policies that help large digital firms."
• Nikkei notes: "IPEF members likely will hold more talks going forward, but the strong reluctance from the U.S. raises concern that in-depth discussions over digital rules will remain shelved."
• IPEF, the Biden administration's flagship economic integration framework in the Indo-Pacific includes, Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, in a broad grouping designed to offer an alternative to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade pact which the US withdrew from during the administration of former President Donald Trump.
• The IPEF ministerial summit, hosted by USTR Katherine Tai and US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, is scheduled to take place in San Francisco November 13-14.