China, Japan, and South Korea Unite to Counter US Tariffs

Beijing: China, Japan, and South Korea have decided to jointly respond to US tariffs following their first economic dialogue in five years. According to a report by Yuyuan Tantian, affiliated with Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the three Asian export powers aim to strengthen supply chain cooperation and engage in more discussions on export controls.

First Economic Dialogue in Five Years

The economic dialogue, held on Sunday, focused on facilitating regional trade as the countries brace for new tariffs expected to be announced by US President Donald Trump on Wednesday, dubbed “liberation day.” Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo, being major US trading partners, have faced economic pressure due to Washington’s protectionist policies.

Strengthening Supply Chains and Export Control Talks

During the meeting, Japan and South Korea expressed interest in importing semiconductor raw materials from China. In return, China is exploring the possibility of purchasing chip products from Japan and South Korea. The three nations agreed to strengthen supply chain cooperation and continue dialogue on export control policies to stabilize regional trade.

Push for South Korea-Japan-China Free Trade Agreement

The trade ministers also agreed to cooperate closely for comprehensive and high-level talks on a South Korea-Japan-China free trade agreement. This agreement aims to promote regional and global trade while reducing dependency on the US market.

Regional Tensions Remain

Despite their economic cooperation, the three countries continue to have disagreements over territorial disputes and Japan’s release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. However, their united stance against US tariffs signals a potential shift in the region’s trade dynamics.