Wang Wentao, China’s commerce minister, is pictured on 31 March meeting with his counterparts from Japan and South Korea, Photo: Yao Qilin/Xinhua News
China, Japan and South Korea have discussed a joint response to the US-imposed tariffs, but official Tokyo denies that such an agreement has been reached. Reuters reports this with reference to Chinese state media and official statements by the Japanese government.
The talks between the three Asian economic giants were held for the first time in five years in an attempt to strengthen regional trade. Chinese media reported that the parties discussed the possibility of jointly countering the tariffs imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump, in particular by strengthening cooperation in supply chains and export controls.
Conflicting statements from partners
However, official Seoul and Tokyo reacted with restraint. A spokesperson for the South Korean Ministry of Commerce said that “the information about a coordinated response is somewhat exaggerated”. And Japanese Trade Minister Yoji Mutou said on Tuesday that during the talks between the three countries “there was no discussion of joint action on US tariffs”. According to him, the meeting was more of an exchange of views.
According to a statement released following the trilateral talks, the parties agreed to speed up negotiations on a free trade zone between China, South Korea and Japan to strengthen regional economic cooperation.
Tensions before Trump’s decision
The US President is expected to announce new tariffs on Wednesday, which he calls a “liberation day” for the US economy. China, South Korea, and Japan remain key trading partners of the United States, although they have disagreements on a number of issues, from territorial disputes to Japan’s environmental policy, including the discharge of water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.
