Nesting the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) in Pacific-region Trade Agreements

The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is an initiative for engagement in the Indo-Pacific region that covers several trade policy areas, but excludes tariffs. Many of the fourteen IPEF members participate in reciprocal trade agreements (RTAs) that include tariffs as well as other provisions including in areas similar to those being negotiated in IPEF. This EBOT summarizes the participation of IPEF members in other RTAs in the Indo-Pacific region, such as the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). It also compares the broad provision areas included in these RTAs to those under negotiation in the IPEF trade pillar.