Perhaps concerned about the backlash at President Trump's no-show in Bangkok, the U.S. State Department has put out a new report underscoring its commitment to fostering strong ties with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
The report called "A Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Advancing a Shared Vision" was published on Monday,... just as the RCEP agreement was reached in Bangkok.
In the report, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said President Trump has made U.S. engagement in the region a "top priority" of his administration and they were strategic partners.
The report also underscored Washington's cooperative ties with South Korea,... along with its efforts with the region to tackle nuclear proliferation and cyber attacks by North Korea.
The China-led RCEP deal appears to have thrown a spanner in the works of the Trump administration's Indo-Pacific strategy, which aims to counter Beijing's military and economic rise in the region as many countries there are feeling nervous about it.
