U.S. tariffs trigger unprecedented alliance between China, Japan, and South Korea
China, Japan, and South Korea have agreed to coordinate their response to recent U.S. tariffs, signaling a rare show of unity among the three East Asian economic giants, according to a report by Reuters citing Chinese state media.
The agreement was reportedly reached during high-level trade talks held in Beijing, where officials from the three countries gathered to discuss the escalating trade tensions with the United States.
The trilateral meeting comes amid growing concerns over Washington’s protectionist trade measures that have targeted sectors ranging from semiconductors to electric vehicles and key industrial components.
According to Reuters, citing a post from Yuyuan Tantian — a social media account affiliated with China Central Television — the three nations agreed that unilateral tariffs imposed by the United States are damaging to the global trade system and regional economic stability.
While diplomatic relations among China, Japan, and South Korea have often been strained due to historical and territorial disputes, shared economic interests appear to be driving increased collaboration.
The report highlights that Japan and South Korea are seeking to import semiconductor raw materials from China, while China is also looking to purchase advanced chip products from both Japan and South Korea. This growing interdependence in the technology sector has raised the stakes for all three countries in light of U.S. trade restrictions.
Analysts say the cooperation marks a strategic shift in how East Asia may approach future trade frictions with the U.S., especially as the global economy faces uncertainty.
Although no specific countermeasures were announced, the joint statement from the trilateral meeting emphasized the importance of resisting protectionism and preserving multilateral trade norms. The three nations also expressed interest in accelerating talks on a long-stalled China-Japan-South Korea Free Trade Agreement (CJK FTA).
