Biden says 13 countries to join new Asia-Pacific trade framework

TOKYO: President Joe Biden announced Monday in Tokyo the launch of a new Asia-Pacific trading network with an initial 13 countries signing up, including India and Japan, although questions remain over the pact's effectiveness.
"The United States and Japan together with 11 other nations will be launching the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. This framework is a commitment to working with our close friends and partners in the region, on challenges that matter most to ensuring economic competitiveness in the 21st century," he said.