US President Joe Biden will host high leaders and officials from the Association of Southeast Asian nations (ASEAN), in Washington DC on May 12 and 13, because Washington remains focused on the Russian-Ukraine war and wrestles with China’s influence in the Pacific. “Special Summit” ASEAN was postponed from the end of March and arrived a few days before Mr. Biden to Asia as President.
Myanmar ASEAN member countries, whose junta overthrown the government in a coup on February 1 last year, will not be represented at the Summit. The US wants a ‘non-political’ representative from Myanmar to attend the meeting. There will be a “empty chair” at the top to reflect “dissatisfaction of leaders with what happened” in the country, a senior US administration official, who did not want to be named, told reporters for a briefing call on Wednesday. ASEAN’s ‘five -point consensus’ to end the chaos in Myanmar has not developed since it was released in April last year.
In addition to discussing Myanmar, leaders are also expected to discuss Ukraine and regional problems. ASEAN members are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
With the administration of former US President Donald Trump withdrew the US from what was later called Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP, is now called a comprehensive and progressive agreement for TPP, or CPTPP) and the US does not join the Regional Comprehensive Regional Economic Partnership (RCEP) Trade, where China is part, Washington handed over land for Beijing in the ASEAN region, especially as far as the economy.
Obviously, Indo-Pacific is a large area, and we talk too often about Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and
India. But it is as important to focus on the Pacific, and you will see indications going forward, “the official told reporters on Wednesday.
Mr. Biden is expected to discuss the economic plan of his government for the region – the Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) during the Summit this week. The framework – which will compile cooperation in several pillars from infrastructure and supply chains to taxation – is likely to be officially launched during Mr. Biden to Asia then in May. The President will travel to South Korea for bilateral talks with South Korean president New Yoon Suk-Yeol and then to Japan for the Summit of Quad’s leader with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. MR Modi is considering India’s participation in IPEF, Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman said during his visit to Washington DC in April.
During their visit to Washington, ASEAN representatives will meet with the Chairperson of the US Representative Council Nancy Pelosi and members of both parties for the work lunch. They will also hold a meeting on Thursday with business leaders _ and join US officials including the Trade Secretary Gina Raimondo and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai _ to discuss challenges, such as those related to technology, post-Covid-19 recovery, energy and climate , said administrative officials on Wednesday.
Mr. Biden will also have a “fast personal time” with each leader, in addition to holding dinner for them as a group, the official said. Vice President Kamala Harris and State Secretary Antony Blinken will also hold a meeting with officials and discuss health security, maritime cooperation, and pandemic recovery. Mr. Biden will also host the second Global Covid-19 Summit on Thursday, virtually.
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