Rules needed

WASHINGTON: US Presidentelect

Joe Biden said yesterday the United States needed to negotiate with allies to set global trading rules to counter China's growing influence but declined to say whether he would join a new Chinabacked Asian trade pact signed on Monday.

Asked whether the United States would join the Asianfocused 15country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, Biden said he could not yet discuss US trade policy because he had not taken office ``and there's only one president at a time.'' — Reuters