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.