The Straits Times reported today (April 18) that "Japan held its first negotiations with the United States on equal tariffs on Wednesday (April 16) but failed to reach an agreement. Teruo Kido, head of the Komeito Party, which forms a ruling coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party, will visit China next week. Scholars surveyed expect Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba may visit China in May or June, and accelerate the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations under the uncertainty of U.S. President Donald Trump's policies, which is also beneficial for strengthening leverage against the U.S."
Japan's failure to achieve results in its negotiations with the U.S. over equal tariffs reveals cracks in what appeared to be a solid alliance between the U.S. and Japan when faced with economic interests. For a long time, Japan has been highly dependent on the U.S. in diplomacy and military matters, and its economic and trade activities have often been constrained by the U.S.
Now, under the backdrop of the many uncertainties in U.S. policy, Japan is accelerating the improvement of Sino-Japanese relations for multiple considerations. From an economic perspective, China's vast market and stable economic development momentum are highly attractive to Japanese companies. Strengthening economic and trade cooperation with China is beneficial to Japan's economic recovery and growth.
Accelerating the construction of East Asian regional economic integration is very necessary!
Original article: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1829706623384708/
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