Prior to the imposition of US tariffs, China was predicted to be a major issue at Friday’s high-level economic security negotiations between Britain and Japan.
Britain’s economy is the sixth largest in the world, followed by Japan’s at number four. Despite being US allies, neither is likely to be immune to President Donald Trump’s broad tariffs on important trading partners.
This week’s joint negotiations between the nations’ trade and foreign ministers in Tokyo have been hailed as an opportunity to advance free trade and fortify commercial relationships in industries ranging from renewable energy to technology and defense.
“Economic growth and future prosperity depend upon strong security foundations, a reliable trading system, resilient supply chains, energy security, and an economy resilient to shocks,” the UK Foreign Office said in a statement on Thursday.
Similar language was previously used by the United States and its Group of Seven allies, including Japan and Britain, to indirectly refer to economic coercion by Beijing.
China has “effectively weaponized the targeted use of trade restrictions, sanctions, embargoes, and boycotts” to exert pressure on countries that contradict its values, according to a 2023 report by a US Congress committee.
However, because Trump’s steep 25 percent tariffs on US imports from Canada and Mexico, with limited exceptions, went into effect this week, the ministers’ strategic talks may potentially cover more ground.
Officials are now framing the so-called “2+2” talks as an effort to demonstrate a reasonable and rational path ahead, without specifically targeting any state.
“In the current global context, any effort to increase coordination and collaboration, especially among key partners like the UK and Japan, is highly welcomed,” said Francesca Ghiretti, research leader in economic security and China at RAND Europe.
“Because of the service-based nature of the UK economy and little internal manufacturing, the UK should be more aware of the vulnerabilities of and potential disruptions to global supply chains,” Ghiretti told AFP.
“In that collaboration from Japan will be key,” she said.
After Brexit Without the combined power of the European Union, Britain is “more vulnerable” in terms of economic security, but it can participate in international frameworks more readily, Ghiretti continued.
In an effort to increase investment and collaboration with Japanese businesses, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds will arrive in Japan on Thursday with a business delegation.
Lammy and Reynolds are also anticipated to speak with their Japanese colleagues Takeshi Iwaya and Yoji Muto about matters pertaining to the conflict in Ukraine.
Although its pacifist constitution prohibits them from exporting weapons, Japan has sanctioned Russian individuals and organizations and given Kyiv material and financial support.
A new fighter plane is being developed by the UK, Japan, and Italy with plans to launch it by 2035. The three countries are allegedly talking about the potential of Saudi Arabia joining the project as well.
