China, Japan, and South Korea Discuss Supply Chain Cooperation Amid U.S. Tariffs

China, Japan, and South Korea held their first economic dialogue in five years on March 30, 2025, focusing on regional trade and supply chain resilience as they brace for new tariffs from the United States. While Chinese state media claimed the three nations agreed to jointly respond to U.S. tariffs, officials from Japan and South Korea downplayed this assertion, calling it "somewhat exaggerated" and emphasizing broader cooperation instead.

The meeting, which took place in Seoul, centered on strengthening supply chain ties, particularly in semiconductors. Japan and South Korea are seeking to import raw materials for chip production from China, while China expressed interest in purchasing semiconductor products from its neighbors. The countries also agreed to accelerate negotiations for a trilateral free trade agreement (FTA) to promote regional and global trade. South Korea’s trade ministry clarified that discussions focused on economic collaboration rather than a unified stance against U.S. tariffs.

The dialogue comes ahead of U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of additional tariffs targeting key Asian exports. Dubbed "Liberation Day," the tariffs are expected to disrupt trade flows and impact sectors like semiconductors and critical minerals. China has already tightened export controls on rare earth metals such as gallium and germanium, which are essential for electronics and defense technologies.

While Beijing has positioned itself as a proponent of free trade, tensions remain among the three nations over issues like territorial disputes and Japan's release of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant. Despite these challenges, the meeting highlighted the importance of regional cooperation to mitigate external pressures.