Japan aims to counter US attempts to include it in an economic alliance against China, prioritizing its substantial trade relationships with Beijing. This decision is driven by Japan's desire to secure permanent relief from US tariffs, a goal they hope to achieve before the 90-day reprieve on tariffs expires, potentially around the G7 summit in June.
While actively seeking a bilateral trade agreement with the US to address concerns about automobiles and agriculture, Japan wants to avoid being drawn into a broader US strategy to increase trade pressure on China. China remains Japan's largest trading partner and a crucial source of goods and raw materials.
Japanese officials have indicated to China that their approach to issues such as chip exports and semiconductor restrictions does not fully align with the US stance. While no formal requests regarding China have been made by the US to Japan, Japan has made clear it would prioritize its own national interests if such requests were made.
The officials, who asked not to be identified, said that Japan is pushing to strike a deal before the current 90-day reprieve in tariffs expires, with one person saying the country hopes to finalise an agreement around the summit of leaders from the Group of Seven major democracies in June.
At the same time, the officials said Japan does not want to get caught up in any US effort to maximise trade pressure on China by curbing its own economic interaction with Beijing, which is Tokyo’s biggest trading partner and an important source of goods and raw materials.
Although the US has not made any specific requests to Japan regarding China, Tokyo would prioritise its own interests if that occurs, Japanese officials said. One of the officials added that Japan has conveyed to China on multiple occasions that it does not fully align with the US on chip-related exports and semiconductor restrictions.
Japan’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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