13 countries have joined a new, US-led Asia-Pacific trade initiative names as Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity.
Thirteen countries including US, India, and Japan are part of the trade initiative.
Others on the starting list of members are Australia, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
IPEF is intended to offer US allies an alternative to China's growing commercial presence across the Asia-Pacific.