The supply chain pillar statement is the most detailed, the most operational, and the road to reality is quite apparent, which may become a key area for the US side to capitalize on. The statement outlines the roadmap and operational steps established by the US side in terms of supply chains, such as identifying key supply chains and key commodities whose supply may be disrupted and then establishing corresponding prevention and response mechanisms based on the results of the identification.
The main concept is a carbon copy of the Biden administration’s related domestic policies, namely to perform a supply chain review first, and then proceed item by item in each major area based on the review results. The recent United States drafting of the “Chip and Science Act” aimed against China, as well as the creation of the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative, are the most recent outcomes of this process.
It is extremely possible that the US would utilize the relevant pillars of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to exert pressure on other countries by tightening its “regulatory lock” on China, hence sustaining momentum for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework follow-up talks.
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Of course, the US has two calculations. On one hand, it is to “conquer China,” while on the other, it is to “harvest allies,” putting increasing political and economic pressure on all parties concerned. Japan and South Korea have recently criticised the United States’ semiconductor and electric car policy, claiming that the US has sought to “compete” with China in these industries.
It is understandable that the US would want to include the “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework” talks in this track in order to gain more “benefits” from its partners. The game that all parties are playing around this topic may decide the eventual course of the “Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.”
M. Raihan Ronodipuro was awarded the Chinese MOFCOM Scholarship and earned a Master of Law in International Relations from the School of International and Public Affairs at Jilin University in China. He serves as an Associate Researcher in the Department of Politics and Security at the Center for Indonesia-China Studies (CICS).