Trade has played an important role in the impressive economic growth of the Indo-Pacific region in recent years, and it continues to do so. This dynamic region has been intrinsically linked to the U.S. through its global supply chains, business relationships and investment flows. Partners and allies in the Indo-Pacific are seeking stepped up U.S. economic engagement, and they welcome the development of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework as a first step. However, many in the region are disappointed at the lack of U.S. leadership in this area, and the growing disinterest from the U.S. in providing better access to its significant market. China is also a critical trade partner for these countries, and one that is – in contrast to the U.S. – actively pursuing a robust trade agenda, including concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and applying to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA).

As the U.S. prepares for the Presidential election in November, join the Asia Society Policy Institute in a virtual panel discussion on how the next U.S. administration may approach its trade and broader economic policy for the Indo-Pacific region.

ASPI Vice President Wendy Cutler will moderate a discussion with former U.S. Administration officials Greta Peisch and Clete Willems, as well as key voices from the region, Gita Wirjawan and Takemasa Sekine.

SPEAKERS

Gita Wirjawan is the chairman of Ancora Group, an Indonesian business group with interests in real estate, natural resources, arts and technology, which he founded in 2007. His public service has included positions as Indonesia's Minister of Trade, chairman of its Investment Coordinating Board, and chair of a 159-nation WTO ministerial conference in 2012 that focused on easing global trade barriers. As an investment banker, he has held key appointments at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan, where he led many mergers, corporate restructuring, corporate financing and strategic sales involving leading companies in Southeast Asia.

Greta Peisch is a Partner at Wiley Rein, where she brings nearly 15 years of experience in international trade matters. Most recently, she served as General Counsel for the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) where she was a primary legal advisor to the agency, including with respect to trade enforcement and trade agreement implementation and negotiations. At USTR, she oversaw negotiations related to Critical Minerals Agreements with Japan, the EU, and the United Kingdom and advised on legal issues in trade agreement negotiations and implementation, including with respect to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the U.S.-Taiwan Initiative on 21st Century Trade.

Clete Willems is a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, where he advises multinational companies, investors, and trade associations on international economic law and policy matters. Until April 2019, Mr. Willems was Deputy Assistant to the President for International Economics and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. In this role, he was a key negotiator with foreign governments, including China and the European Union, and the President's lead negotiator at the G-7, G-20, and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum. Prior to joining the White House, Mr. Willems was a trade negotiator and WTO litigator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. He also worked as Legislative Director for Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI).

Dr. Takemasa Sekine is a Professor at Yokohama National University, Graduate School of International Social Sciences. He is currently a board member of Japan’s Government Procurement Review Board and an assistant secretary-general of the Japan Society of International Economic Law. He has also been engaged in research projects for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry. His recent research focuses on the relationship between the World Trade Organization (WTO) and free trade agreements, subsidy regulation under FTAs, and the WTO dispute settlement procedures. Please click here to view an introductory video from Dr Takemasa Sekine.

Wendy Cutler (moderator) is Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and the managing director of the Asia Society’s Washington, D.C. office. She focuses on leading initiatives that address challenges related to trade, investment, and economic security, as well as women’s empowerment in Asia. Wendy draws on her extensive network across Asia and the US Government to grow ASPI’s presence in Washington and promote policy exchange. She has published a series of ASPI papers on the Asian trade landscape and serves as a regular media commentator on trade and investment developments in Asia and the world. She joined ASPI following an illustrious career of nearly three decades as a diplomat and negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), where she also served as Acting Deputy U.S. Trade Representative. During her USTR career, she worked on a range of bilateral, regional, and multilateral trade negotiations and initiatives, including the U.S.-Korea Free Trade Agreement, the Trans-Pacific Partnership, U.S.-China negotiations, and the WTO Financial Services negotiations.