US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo addresses the Indo-Pacific Economic Ministerial forum in Los Angeles, where regional dignitaries addressed trade and the growing influence of China - Copyright AFP Kazuhiro NOGI The United States began a series of meetings with ministers from the Asia-Pacific in Los Angeles on Thursday at an economic summit aimed at countering China’s growing influence in the region. The two-day event is the first face-to-face meeting between members of the new Indo-Pacific Economic Prosperity Framework (IPEF), an initiative launched in May by US President Joe Biden. With this new trade partnership, the Biden administration hopes to reinforce...