United States to host Indo-Pacific economic framework ministerial in Detroit

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai today announced that the United States will host an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) ministerial meeting in Detroit, Michigan on May 27, 2023.

“I am pleased that we are maintaining positive momentum and a fast pace on negotiations with our IPEF Partners,” said Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Ambassador Tai and I look forward to hosting the IPEF Ministers in Detroit to continue the progress we have made and deepen cooperation in the region on our shared economic priorities.”

“Over the last year, the United States and our IPEF partners have made tremendous progress in developing a robust framework that will deliver inclusive, meaningful benefits for all of our citizens,” said Ambassador Katherine Tai. “I look forward to hosting trade ministers in Detroit as we build on this momentum and negotiate a 21st-century trade framework that addresses today’s pressing challenges.”

The ministerial will be an opportunity for Ministers to review current progress on the work to date and provide additional direction to the negotiators to advance progress on the framework’s four pillars. Secretary Raimondo and Ambassador Tai will hold a press conference at the conclusion of the ministerial on May 27.

This ministerial meeting will take place shortly after IPEF partners, including the United States, participate in the third negotiating round in Singapore from May 8-15, 2023.

The Detroit meeting is an important milestone in IPEF negotiations, as it will mark one year since the framework was officially launched in Tokyo in May 2022. In September 2022, the IPEF partners released ministerial statements and negotiating objectives for the four pillars: Trade, Supply Chains, Clean Economy, and Fair Economy.