President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. today virtually joined leaders of ASEAN member states and representatives from Australia, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), India, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, and Russia during the annual East Asia Summit (EAS), where they discussed regional and international challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.

President Biden reaffirmed the enduring U.S. commitment to the Indo-Pacific, and he outlined his vision for the region, which seeks a region that is open, connected, prosperous, resilient, and secure.

President Biden also announced that the United States will explore with partners the development of an Indo-Pacific economic framework that will define our shared objectives around trade facilitation, standards for the digital economy and technology, supply chain resiliency, decarbonization and clean energy, infrastructure, worker standards, and other areas of shared interest.

The President also reiterated the U.S. commitment to the international rules-based order and expressed concern over threats to that order. He made clear that the United States will continue to stand with allies and partners in support of democracy, human rights, rule of law, and freedom of the seas.

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