EWC Insights: New Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF): Should it Include Taiwan? ft. Shirley Kan
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East-West Center Insights featuring Shirley Kan, Independent Specialist in Asian security affairs
On May 23, 2022, while in Tokyo, Japan, United States President Joe Biden announced the launch of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) with a dozen initial partners: Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. On May 26, Fiji joined as the 14th founding member. The members represent 40% of the world's gross domestic product (GDP). However, the new cooperation raised an issue about whether to include Taiwan, which was disappointed by the initial exclusion. Judging by objective criteria, it makes sense to include this major democratic, economic, and technological player in the world.
Ms. Shirley Kan will discuss whether Taiwan's participation would advance the shared strategic goal of a free and open Indo-Pacific that is more inclusive, connected, prosperous, secure, and resilient. She will address what is IPEF? What is it not? What are the context and considerations for Taiwan's potential participation? And what are Taiwan's challenges and options?
