Question for U.S.-Led Infrastructure Fund: Where Is the Money?
- Think tank says partners may fall short of countering China
- Fund designed to bolster influence of U.S. and its allies
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A bid by the U.S., Japan and Australia to create a new Indo-Pacific infrastructure fund to help counter China’s rising influence appears to be lacking in one key element: Cash.
Next to China’s ambitious infrastructure plan, which includes spending $60 billion in Pakistan alone, U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo’s statement that his nation had earmarked $113 million for the Indo-Pacific region poses little competition. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop on Tuesday announced the trilateral partnership that “represents our commitment to an Indo-Pacific region that is free, open and prosperous” -- without giving funding details.