U.S. President Joe Biden is due to visit South Korea and Japan this month, and it seems likely the formal launch of the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework or IPEF may take place then.
Speaking virtually to an event in the U.S. on Monday, Japan's ambassador to the U.S., Koji Tomita, said Washington and Tokyo have been working out the details.
He added that Biden's visit to Japan may signal the U.S. remains heavily focused on Indo-Pacific matters despite Russia's war on Ukraine.
The IPEF is a U.S.-led effort to build strong ties and supply chains in the Asia-Pacific, while freezing out China.
Last year, the U.S. said it plans to launch the IPEF in early 2022.
But that was pushed back, due to a delay in the negotiations.
South Korea has already said it wants to join, with the framework also expected to include Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore.
02:23
Heavy rain front moves from Seoul to Chungcheong-do Provinces on Thursday
02:16
00:38
02:27
01:46
02:00
02:31
