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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br />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.<br /><br />
