Southeast Asian nations are increasingly disappointed with the U.S. over a lack of progress on trade issues, undermining President Joe Biden’s efforts to strengthen ties with the region’s leaders at a summit this week in Washington.
The administration has repeatedly highlighted the importance of U.S. leadership in Asia and building relationships to counter China. But when it comes to substance, specifically free-trade deals, the U.S. has little to show.
The main U.S. initiative now, known as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, is supposed to deal with regional supply chains, infrastructure and other areas. But details are hazy and the administration has stressed it won’t include lower tariffs or better access to U.S. markets.