US Trade Representative Katherine Tai has declined to say whether Taiwan will be invited to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
The framework is part of the Biden administration's efforts to counter Beijing's increased economic and military coercion in the Indo-Pacific region. It aims to coordinate members on supply chain security, infrastructure, labor standards, and clean energy. Taiwan says it hopes to join the framework as a full member.
Speaking on Thursday, Tai called Taiwan an indispensable partner to the US. But when asked by Senator Bob Menendez if Taiwan would be invited to join, Tai said no decisions have been made yet on membership. Menendez says not including Taiwan in the framework would be a missed opportunity.
On Wednesday, 200 members of the US Congress wrote a letter to Tai and the US Secretary of Commerce urging them to include Taiwan in the pact. The letter says Taiwan’s inclusion would send a clear message that the US stands with its allies and partners against bullying by China.
However, some analysts say that if Taiwan becomes part of the framework, other countries in the region may be hesitant to join the pact for fear of angering China.
Taiwan’s representative office in Washington says Taiwan is discussing the issue with US officials.