Status and timelines
The United States first publicly announced the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity concept at the East Asia Summit in October 2021.
Following that, the United States invited New Zealand and other regional partners to participate in informal discussions on the development of the Framework.
On 23 May 2022 New Zealand leant its support to the United States and other regional partners in announcing the beginning of discussions toward the launch of negotiations. These discussions enabled interested parties to understand each others’ views on the four pillars, and to undertake a full assessment of the opportunities that a negotiation might represent.
Ministers met virtually on 26 and 27 July 2022 to discuss positive progress made by Senior Officials and Chief Negotiators at an in-person meeting in Singapore (13 and 14 July 2022).
On 9 September 2022, IPEF economies agreed the scope of negotiations for all four pillars. New Zealand formally joined negotiations on all four pillars of the Framework.
Between 10-15 December 2022, New Zealand Officials attended the first round of negotiations on the IPEF in Brisbane, Australia. This followed the conclusion of the scoping phase, and agreement of the four Ministerial Statements (Trade, Supply Chains, Clean Economy, Fair Economy) in September 2022.
See the report on round one below.
Between 8-11 February 2023, a Special Negotiating Round on the IPEF took place in New Delhi, India, covering the three pillars (Supply Chains, Clean Economy & Fair Economy) led by the US Department of Commerce. Discussions on the USTR-led Trade Pillar were not included in this round.
See the report on the Special Negotiating Round below.
Between 13-19 March 2023, Indonesia hosted the second negotiating round in Bali, covering all four IPEF pillars.
See the report on round two below.
Between 8–15 May 2023, NZ officials participated in the third negotiating round in Singapore. This round had a particular focus on the Supply Chains pillar, but included discussions on the full suite of IPEF issues.
See the report on round three below.
On 27 May 2023, Minister for Trade and Export Growth Damien O’Connor joined other IPEF Ministers in Detroit to announce substantial conclusion of negotiations on the supply chains agreement.
Partners released joint press statements on the substantial conclusion of the IPEF supply chain agreement(external link), and on the Trade, Clean Economy, and Fair Economy Pillars(external link).
On 28 June 2023, IPEF ministerial representatives met virtually to discuss the Clean Economy and Fair Economy Pillars. Readout of Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity Virtual Ministerial | U.S. Department of Commerce(external link)
Between 9-15 July 2023, Korea hosted the second negotiating round in Busan, covering all four IPEF pillars.
See the report on round four below.
Between 7–16 September 2023, Thailand hosted the fifth negotiating round in Bangkok, covering the Trade, Clean Economy and Fair Economy Pillars.
See the report on round five below.
From 15 – 24 October 2023, the sixth negotiating round was hosted in Kuala Lumpur by the Malaysian Government, covering the Trade, Clean Economy and Fair Economy Pillars.
US Commerce and USTR released a joint report on the sixth negotiating round in Kuala Lumpur: Joint USTR and U.S. Department of Commerce Readout of Sixth Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Negotiating Round in Malaysia | United States Trade Representative(external link)
The seventh negotiating round was then hosted in San Francisco by the United States from 5 – 12 November, covering the Trade, Clean Economy and Fair Economy Pillars.
Ministers met on 13 and 14 November 2023 and Leaders on 16 November to announce substantive conclusion of the Clean Economy Agreement and Fair Economy Agreement. They also noted substantial progress in the Trade Agreement negotiations and to sign the Supply Chain agreement.
Once signed, the IPEF Parties can complete the approval procedures necessary for ratification and entry into force of the three concluded IPEF Agreements. Negotiations will continue under the Trade Pillar.
Officials will continue to consult closely with stakeholders and Māori partners throughout the process to ensure that their views shape the positions that New Zealand will take into IPEF negotiations, and ultimately to ensure that the benefits of the IPEF flow to all New Zealanders.