Opposition to China marking US President Joe Biden’s visit to Asia is expected to culminate in a visit to Japan, as the country has gradually become a subordinate US to China and hopes to end its regional impact, as Biden arrived in Japan on Sunday. In Japan, Biden is reportedly set to launch the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a US-led plan to fight China, and it is predicted that China-related topics will dominate both bilateral talks between Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in next Quad summit.
Tangible regional benefits
The Experts believe that the trip which, began with a thunderstorm, will end in anticlimax, as the IPEF, even before it was officially launched, received widespread criticism over the lack of tangible regional benefits, and met with a lukewarm response from Southeast Asian countries, President US is willing to put him in it. Also, the Quad conference is unlikely to produce a strong statement against China, as divisions between Quad members in India and the US deepen in certain international issues. In addition, the joint statement between Washington and Tokyo can touches the many issues which can affects the China’s core interests.
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said
Biden arrived in Japan on Sunday afternoon, embarking on the second leg of his Asian tour after South Korea. In Tokyo, Biden will summon Governor Naruhi to on Monday ahead of talks with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. On the same day, Biden will also launch the IPEF, a US-based program that hopes to bring regional countries to similar standards in areas including supply-chain strength, clean energy, infrastructure and digital trade, Reuters reported on Sunday. Commenting on the program, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai said during an interview on Friday that all of that would demonstrate “a lasting US commitment as a partner in the region” as Washington seeks to keep China’s influence growing but with the exception of US partners, only a handful of Southeast Asian countries, including Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia have shown any willingness to join.
High amount of resistance
The reports are coming out that the Biden and Kishida were expected to discuss Japan’s plans to expand its military capabilities and reach a turning point in China’s growing power. In the second leg of his first Asian tour as president, Biden will meet with leaders of Japan, India and Australia, Quad, another cornerstone of his retreat strategy against China’s growing influence.
