South Korea, China and Japan met to respond to Trump’s introduction of customs

South Korea, China and Japan held their first economic dialogue on Sunday in five years, seeking to facilitate regional trade while three Asian export forces were struggling with US President Donald Trump.

Three of the two countries’ trade ministers agreed « closely working on a high -level comprehensive conversation » on the free trade agreement between South Korea, Japan and China to promote « regional and global trade », according to a statement published after the meeting.

« It is necessary to strengthen the implementation of the RCEP, which participated in all three countries, and to create a framework for expanding trade cooperation between three countries through negotiations on free trade agreement between Korea, China and Japan, » said South Korean Minister of Trade Ahn Duk-Geun, talking about a regional comprehensive economic partnership.

The ministers met before Trump’s announcement on Wednesday about additional customs on what he calls the « liberation day », as he violates the Washington trade partnerships.

Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo are the main trade partners of the United States, although they have been in disputes over questions, including territorial disputes and Japanese wastewater discharges from the destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Have not made significant progress in the Trilateral Free Trade Agreement since the start of the 2012 negotiations.

The RCEP, which entered into force in 2022, is a trade framework between 15 Asian-Pacific countries with the aim of reducing trade obstacles.

Last week, Trump announced imports of imported customs of 25% on cars and autodies, a move that could harm companies, especially Asian car manufacturers, who are among the largest vehicles in the United States.

After Mexico, South Korea is the world’s largest vehicle exporter in the US, followed by Japan, according to S&P.

Ministers agreed to hold the next ministerial meeting in Japan.