For more information on how these developments may affect your business, please contact Nicole Bivens Collinson at (202) 730-4956 or via email.
El Salvador
During a Nov. 10 meeting the U.S. and Ecuador pledged to collaborate on realizing El Salvador’s aspirations to become a regional technology hub through pursuing a sound digital regulatory environment and improving the overall business climate. They also plan to share best practices on facilitating job-creating inbound business investment in El Salvador.
Indonesia
The U.S. and Indonesia announced Nov. 13 that they have elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, under which they will further expand cooperation on “all issues of common concern.” This will include increasing trade and deepening cooperation on economic policy, including through the U.S.-Indonesia trade and investment framework agreement, which will feature cooperation on trade in services, intellectual property, labor, investment, and agricultural and industrial goods.
The two sides also committed to (1) developing a critical minerals action plan that includes collaboration on reducing supply chain dependencies and vulnerabilities, promoting supply chain transparency, and expanding access to secure and sustainable critical minerals sources, and (2) supporting the development of Indonesia’s domestic semiconductor ecosystem with a view to enhancing local value creation, diversifying global supply chains, and supporting U.S. industry.
Japan
At the second ministerial meeting of the Japan-U.S. Economic Policy Consultative Committee held Nov. 14 in San Francisco, the two sides pledged to (1) continue addressing the systemic challenges posed by non-market policies and practices that are increasingly used to create and reinforce strategic dependencies and systemic vulnerabilities, (2) improve their ability to deter and mount a coordinated response to instances of economic coercion, (3) assess potential impacts of export restrictions on critical minerals, which could affect production of solar panels, semiconductors, and other inputs for electric vehicles, computers, and smart devices, and (4) formulate transparent, resilient, and sustainable supply chain strategies that promote reliable and trustworthy sources for strategic goods.
Kazakhstan
During the annual U.S.-Kazakhstan Enhanced Strategic Partnership Dialogue held Nov. 7, the two sides discussed facilitating and diversifying trade and investment, cooperating to expand clean energy deployment and combatting the climate crisis, and critical minerals and geology partnership. They also emphasized the importance of facilitating the sustainable development of transport routes, expressed a shared desire to continue working toward permanent normal trade relations status for Kazakhstan, and said they intend to continue consultations on sanctions policy.
Ukraine
The 12th meeting of the U.S.-Ukraine Trade and Investment Council held Nov. 14 in Washington, D.C., focused on ways to help lay the foundation for a sustainable economic recovery and long-term reconstruction in Ukraine in the wake of its war with Russia, with the U.S. reiterating the importance of predictability, transparency, and the rule of law to attract foreign investment.
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