(23 May 2022)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bangkok – 23 May 2022
1. Various of media briefing in Bangkok by Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Bianchi, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative:
"Well, I don't want to speak to what happens in the future, but obviously right now we're extremely concerned about what's going on with, with, Ukraine and unprovoked attacks in the country. So, we'll have to wait and see how all these issues play out. But certainly, we wanted to make an important statement at this APEC meeting that that kind of action is unacceptable."
3. Wide of the meeting
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Bianchi, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative:
"I mean, I think we've seen a lot of really positive signs just this week in the ways that countries can work together on trade. I think the IPEF launch was very broad, very inclusive. We have a lot of work to do, a lot of work ahead. I think it will be very successful. I think the APEC meeting here in Thailand was very successful. So, I think there is important work going on. Certainly, the Russia issue persists, then we'll have to see how that plays out in the coming months. But I am very optimistic about what we can do together working on trade issues."
5. Wide of meeting
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Bianchi, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative:
"We are just thrilled that the president (Joe Biden) launched the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework today in Tokyo. That is a big initiative for us. We are absolutely thrilled that the Thai, that Thailand is an inaugural part of this really important initiative. We think that this is a great way for the United States to really engage in the region economically, deepen our economic ties. And we are really looking forward to getting started. And throughout the summer, really begin to start negotiations."
7. Various of meeting
STORYLINE:
The United States and four other nations emphasized their support for host nation Thailand after they walked out of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation group meeting in Bangkok.
In a statement on Monday from the five nations, joined also by South Korea and Chile, said they had "unwavering support for APEC" but condemned "the unprovoked war of aggression by Russia."
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and delegates from Japan, Australia, New Zealand and Canada walked out of Saturday's session just as Maxim Reshetnikov, Russia's minister for economic development, was set to deliver his opening remark during a two-day trade ministers meeting.
Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi, who took over from Tai at the APEC talks once Tai left Thailand to join President Joe Biden in Japan, told reporters in Bangkok on Monday that she couldn't say whether the walkout was a one-off, or whether countries would shun Russia at future meetings.
"Obviously right now we're extremely concerned about what's going on with Ukraine and unprovoked attacks in the country, so we'll have to wait and see how all these issues play out," she said.
"But certainly, we wanted to make an important statement at this APEC meeting that that that kind of action is unacceptable."
The 21-member APEC forum is meant to promote economic integration and trade throughout the Asia-Pacific region.
Thailand is this year's host nation for meetings of APEC.
President Joe Biden launched a new trade deal with 12 Indo-Pacific nations in Tokyo on Monday aimed at strengthening their economies.
Bianchi said negotiation on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework among the member countries will begin this summer.
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