Fiji was welcomed by the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) members at the informal dialogue hosted by the United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Katherine Tai, in Paris on 11 June 2022.
This was the first engagement of Fiji under IPEF since Prime Minister Bainimarama accepted the United States President’s invitation to join the IPEF.
Fijian Permanent Secretary for Commerce, Trade, Tourism and Transport, Shaheen Ali, recognised IPEF’s potential of becoming “a trailblazing agreement” that could be the answer to “present day challenges, including those faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS)".
Mr Ali acknowledged that this is the first time a large negotiating bloc has taken a decisive step to include a small nation like Fiji, an “actual” Pacific nation.
During the briefing, Permanent Secretary Ali delivered a statement on behalf of Fiji, informing IPEF members of the challenges faced by SIDS, such as access to global markets and integration to international trade. He also emphasised the inherent challenges faced by Fiji and the ever present threat climate change poses to sustainable development.
“The United States and the founding parties of IPEF must be commended for connecting countries, of diverse economic characteristics, dispersed across a vast geography, in order to galvanise regional cooperation in vital areas of trade, digitalisation, decarbonisation, and fostering resilience in supply chains and sustainable inclusivity," said Permanent Secretary Ali.
Mr Ali stated that Fiji looked forward to discussing how these hurdles could be overcome through innovative solutions.
“After all, other Pacific Island Nations and SIDS of the Indo-Pacific Region would be closely watching Fiji in these negotiations”, said Permanent Secretary Ali.
Permanent Secretary Ali concluded by stating that “As the first Pacific Island joining the IPEF, Fiji looks forward to contributing, with the key focus on climate-conscious engagements in the four negotiating pillars of the Framework".
The informal IPEF briefing was attended by Fiji, Australia, Brunei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.