Japan and the United States plan to pool their economic clout to prevent China from converting its enormous resources into strategic victories.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, and their Japanese counterparts stopped short of invoking the economic NATO concept that some U.S. lawmakers and allies have proposed. Still, they agreed that the coercive and retaliatory economic practices of the Peoples Republic of China, as Blinken put it, warrant a concerted and preparatory response.
For Japan and [the] U.S. to effectively respond to the unfair and opaque use of economic influence, it is necessary to think about diplomacy, security, and economy as a unit, Japan's foreign minister, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told reporters at the State Department. In particular, since the United States and Japan are No. 1 and 2 democratic economies in the world, it would be beneficial for us to discuss strategically about the policies to be implemented in such [a] situation.
The meeting Friday fell under the anodyne heading of the the U.S.-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee, a new format for the quartet of diplomatic and economic policymakers to coordinate their efforts to make our economies more competitive and resilient. Hayashi emphasized that they are not pursuing protectionism or bloc economy, but the joint statement released after the gathering made clear that the initiative is at least in part intended as a means to compete for global influence.
BLINKEN ACKNOWLEDGES PROSPECT FOR CONFLICT WITH CHINA OVER TAIWAN
The Ministers shared the view that the United States and Japan, as the worlds two largest democratic economies, can demonstrate that democracies provide the best model for prosperity, stability, and security, the joint statement said. The Ministers expressed grave concern about, and opposition to, harmful uses of economic influence, including economic coercion as well as unfair and opaque lending practices, in ways that threaten the legitimate interests of sovereign nations, as well as those of individuals and industries.
Those concerns are clear criticisms of China and not merely for pioneering an overseas lending model that Western officials regard as a predatory initiative to gain infrastructure in key locations around the world. China imposed severe economic penalties on Australia in retaliation for Canberras demand for a credible investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. And Beijing, more recently, tried to force major German companies that invest in China to cut their ties with Lithuanian companies as a way of punishing Lithuania for allowing Taiwan, which the mainland Chinese regime regards as its sovereign territory, to open a new unofficial embassy in Vilnius.
"The coercive and retaliatory economic practices of the Peoples Republic of China force countries into choices that compromise their security, their intellectual property, their economic independence, Blinken said. These and other challenges call for our two countries to work together even more closely on economic matters.
Officials from both countries hailed the passage through Congress of a law that devotes $52 billion to the manufacturing of semiconductors in the United States as a watershed moment in security and economic affairs. Its epoch-making, Japan's economy minister, Koichi Hagiuda, told reporters.
Raimondo concurred, adding that the law would allow for rebuilding the entire semiconductor supply chain in America and set the stage for more advanced joint research. Its impossible to overstate the significance of Congresss action yesterday and the opportunity for collaboration that that opens for the United States and Japan to strengthen the semiconductor supply chain, she said.
Chinas recent targeting of Lithuania has galvanized Western interest in coordinating preventative measures, as the showdown laid bare how Beijing will use even economic ties between allies Germany and Lithuania are both members of NATO and the European Union into a weapon. Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Menendez (D-NJ) asked a Blinken lieutenant this week about the creation of an economic version of the NATO Article 5, identifying that idea as a potential bulwark against the pressure applied to Lithuania.
We found out that we had some tools that, in some ways, we had not thought about, Jose Fernandez, the State Department undersecretary for economic growth, replied during the committee hearing on Wednesday. [The Export-Import] Bank doubled the export credits that China had given to Lithuania, to give one example. I know it's been discussed, the Article 5 idea. It's an interesting idea. I think we're developing a playbook now, and it's something that we will continue to consider going forward.
British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss endorsed the idea of "the G-7 acting as an economic NATO. The G-7 is a bloc of the worlds seven largest industrialized democracies. Japan is the only nation in the G-7 that is not also a member of NATO.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
The two-plus-two will not only be confined to Japan-U.S. bilateral [relations] but will be a foundation which will bring peace and prosperity widely in the Indo-Pacific region, Hagiuda told reporters. This is, as it were, [a] compass for realizing free and open Indo-Pacific. This is our belief.
Read the rest here:
US and Japan move toward founding of 'economic NATO' to counter China - Washington Examiner
- Dont come here: NATO sends message to Russia with Spring Storm training exercise - WTOP - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Former NATO commander warned White House Afghanistan pullout would go very bad very fast before botched operation that left 13 US forces dead - New... - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO and Armenia strengthen their defence education cooperation - NATO HQ - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- The 48th Annual Conference for the NATO Committee on Gender Perspectives focused on Military Planning and ... - NATO HQ - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO Chiefs of Defence discuss the strengthening of NATO's defence plans - NATO HQ - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO airborne forces train together in exercise Swift Response 2024 - b-roll - 17 May 2024 - DVIDS - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Allied Chiefs of Defence meet with NATO Secretary General - NATO HQ - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO and the Republic of Korea discuss cooperation at the military staff talks - NATO HQ - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Eucom Commander: NATO Is Transforming to Defend Every Inch of the Alliance - Department of Defense - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Dispatch from Estonia and Romania: How NATO burden sharing works on the ground - Atlantic Council - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Allied Strength Across Waters: Wet Gap Crossing with NATO Forces - United States Army - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO Deputy Secretary General: we must be big on cyber defence ambitions - NATO HQ - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO and Its South: Redefining the Terms - CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Top NATO commander: Russia's offensive won't succeed - POLITICO Europe - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO and Economic Security: A Political Oxymoron or Inevitability? - CSIS | Center for Strategic and International Studies - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO must 'win up front but be ready to win long' in modern warfare, says General Christopher Cavoli - Atlantic Council - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- The Washington NATO Summit: Ukraine and transatlantic security in the age of marching authoritarians - Atlantic Council - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Friday Briefing: NATO Considers Sending Trainers to Ukraine - The New York Times - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Zelensky and Iohannis discuss support for Ukraine, NATO summit priorities, and security in Black Sea - Ukrinform - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- S-300: The Air Defense System Built to Attack NATO Fighters and Bombers - The National Interest Online - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff says NATO will deploy troops to Ukraine - WSWS - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- US says NATO military trainers will eventually be sent to Ukraine: report - Fox News - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- The Minister of Defense Zukan Helez is visiting the NATO headquarters - Sarajevo Times - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- NATO chief 'shocked and appalled' by shooting of Slovak PM Fico - Yahoo! Voices - May 21st, 2024 [May 21st, 2024]
- Trump says he'd 'encourage' Russia to attack NATO allies who don't pay their bills - NPR - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump suggests he'd disregard NATO treaty, urge Russian attacks on allies - The Washington Post - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- 'You got to pay!': Trump threatens to 'encourage' Russia to attack NATO allies behind on payments - FRANCE 24 English - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump says Russia can do what it wants to Nato allies who pay too little - Financial Times - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- White House calls Trump comments on NATO appalling and unhinged - The Hill - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump says Russia could do 'whatever the hell they want' to NATO countries that don't pay their share - Yahoo News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump Says He Gave NATO Allies Warning: Pay In or He'd Urge Russian Aggression - The New York Times - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- White House says Trump comments on refusing to back NATO allies 'unhinged' - The Times of Israel - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- NATO allies warn Hungary not to hold up Sweden's membership as US patience wears thin - The Associated Press - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump comments on Russia, NATO 'appalling and unhinged' -White House - Yahoo News Canada - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- NATO Allies Pressure Hungary Over Blocking Sweden's Accession - Voice of America - VOA News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump says he warned NATO: Pay in or he'd tell Russia 'to do whatever the hell they want' - The Spokesman Review - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Vladimir Putin on invading Poland, the war in Ukraine, American 'spies' and Russia joining NATO - Sky News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump says he would support Russia in attacking NATO allies who dont pay' up - Hindustan Times - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump says he will encourage Russia to attack NATO states that pay too little - Ukrainska Pravda - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Orbn's party boycotts a session of Hungary's parliament to further stall Sweden's bid to join NATO - The Associated Press - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- US, NATO Reaffirm Need to Support Ukraine - Voice of America - VOA News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Shocking moment Donald Trump tells cheering crowd he would encourage Russia to ATTACK fellow NATO members for - Daily Mail - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump says he warned NATO ally: Spend more on defense or Russia can 'do whatever the hell they want' - WV News - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump threatens to 'encourage' attack of NATO members behind on payments - Port Lavaca Wave - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- NATO, Gaza, and the future of US-Turkish relations - European Council on Foreign Relations - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- The Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict demands American diplomacy without NATO overreach - The Hill - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Putin tells Tucker Carlson Bill Clinton agreed that Russia could join NATO - WION - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump is slammed for encouraging Russia to attack NATO allies who 'don't pay their dues', with White House bra - Daily Mail - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Trump comments on Russia and NATO appalling and unhinged, says White House spokesperson - Firstpost - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Now we are not safe: Swedens Kurds fear Nato deal has sold them out - The Guardian - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Germany urges Orbn to ratify Sweden's NATO bid as 'a matter of loyalty' - POLITICO Europe - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Ukraine's Military to Receive Double Boost From NATO Allies - Newsweek - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg calls on Europe to ramp up arms production - The Hindu - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Nato chief urges Europe to ramp up arms production to avoid 'decades' of conflict with Russia - The Telegraph - February 11th, 2024 [February 11th, 2024]
- Russia likely upping jamming on NATO countries to test them: general - Business Insider - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Can NATO and the EU Survive and Thrive? - Gallup - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- NATO chief in DC trying to get blood from a stone - Responsible Statecraft - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- For Europe and NATO, a Russian Invasion Is No Longer Unthinkable - The New York Times - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Sen. Menendez Questions Witnesses During SFRC Subcommittee Hearing About the Possible Process for Ukraine to ... - Senator Menendez - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- NATO should be ambitious with its new Southern Flank Strategy - Atlantic Council - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Hungary parliament to meet on Monday at opposition request with Sweden's NATO bid on agenda - Reuters - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Pressure Grows on Hungary to Approve Swedens NATO Bid - Voice of America - VOA News - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Opinion | As war risks mount, Europe is sluggish to response - The Washington Post - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Opinion | How the E.U. and NATO should respond to Hungarys authoritarian Orban - The Washington Post - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- NATO chief warns 'Taiwan could be tomorrow' at Trump bastion - Nikkei Asia - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- ARTHUR CYR: NATO The Enduring Alliance | Opinion | henryherald.com - Henry Herald - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- NATO chief talks up alliance role in advancing US interests at think tank favored by Trump - Stars and Stripes - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Diplomacy Watch: NATO membership still on the table? - Responsible Statecraft - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- When will Sweden join NATO? | Opinion - Deseret News - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Trump hates NATO: Would he leave Canada out in the cold? - GZERO Media - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- China will learn that using force works if Russia prevails: NATO chief - Business Insider - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- NATO newcomer Finland's presidential election is headed for a runoff - NPR - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Letter | The US and NATO let 'never again' happen again in Ukraine - The Daily Progress - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Why Turkey Waited to Approve Sweden's NATO Membership - Foreign Policy - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Coalition of Three: BiH is grateful for all NATO Support - Sarajevo Times - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Former NATO head: Russia, Ukraine will have moment for potential negotiation after 2024 election - The Hill - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Code Red: How Russia Conquers the Baltics - Center for European Policy Analysis - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Orban Escalates Standoff Over Sweden's Accession to NATO - Yahoo News - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Trump Unleashes His Doubts On NATO: 'We Don't Get So Much Out Of It' - Yahoo News - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]
- Putin to visit NATO member Turkey on 12 February - EURACTIV - February 3rd, 2024 [February 3rd, 2024]