China-Japan-South Korea meeting: “A nearby neighbor is better than a distant relative”
Femy Francis

On 22 March, Tokyo hosted three foreign ministers – China’s WangYi, Japan’s Takeshi Iwaya, and South Korea’s Cho Tae-yul for a trilateral meeting on cooperation, trade, regional tensions, and geopolitical climate. This is the 11th meeting; the last meeting was held in 2023 calling for practical cooperation between the three. On the sidelines, after six years of hiatus, China and Japan held its sixth China-Japan High-Level Economic Dialogue.

Background
Japan’s foreign minister during his welcome remarks said: “Given the increasingly severe international situation, I believe we may truly be at a turning point in history.” The remark is hinting at the policies brought by the Trump administration. Trump’s executive order imposed 20 per cent tariffs on Chinese products in light of China’s failure to curb fentanyl production, and retaliatory tariffs by China on US agriculture produce and poultry. Chinese students also face an increasing threat of deportation as US representatives are introducing bills calling out for background checks and even canceling student visas from China. South Korea has been added to the list of “sensitive country,” by the US Department of Energy. It is now labeled as countries that pose a threat to national security and nuclear nonproliferation. South Korea vehemently opposed the listing and urged the US to reconsider. Both Japan and South Korea are worried about the “Fair and Reciprocal Plan” measure to be imposed by the Trump administration from 02 April 2025. Under which it aims“to counter non-reciprocal trading arrangements with trading partners by determining the equivalent of a reciprocal tariff with respect to each foreign trading partner,” issues the White House. 

Major themes of discussion
First, an unstable geopolitical climate. Iwaya noted: “It has become more important than ever to make efforts to overcome division and confrontation through dialogue and cooperation.” Cho called for peace and said: “We reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula is a shared interest and responsibility of the three countries.” Wang Yi called to jointly resist risks faced and to have a mutual understanding among their populations.

Second, trade and economic cooperation. Wang Yi focused on avenues of economic collaboration when he said: “Our three nations have a combined population of nearly 1.6 billion and an economic output exceeding USD 24 trillion. With our vast markets and great potential, we can exert significant influence.” He called for the need to resume free trade talks and to expand the collaboration to a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. This comes in light of the heavy tariffs imposed by the US as Trump's claims to strengthen “domestic market and business.”

Third, the North Korean threat. Both Seoul and Tokyo condemned Pyogyang’s participation in the Russia-Ukraine war. Cho said: “I also stressed that illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea should stop immediately, and that North Korea should not be rewarded for its wrongdoings in the course of bringing about the end of the war in Ukraine.” Iwaya also noted that the denuclearization of North Korea is a common goal for the three countries. Recently, North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un expressed unwavering support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kim gave unconditional support to uphold a major defense pact, which requires both countries to provide immediate military assistance in case of conflict.

Fourth, the future of trilateral cooperation. Three leaders affirmed to take the initiative ahead and agreed to focus on knowing each other, cooperation, and joint efforts against mutual challenges. They welcomed the upcoming “Opening ceremony of the Year of Japan-China-ROK Cultural Exchange 2025-2026.” During which events will be held throughout the year. They also looked forward to “Protocol Amending the Agreement on the Establishment of the Trilateral Cooperation Secretariat.” Aimed at promoting peace and cooperative relations.

References:
“The Eleventh Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,” Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 22 March 2025
“Japan, S Korea, China meet to strengthen ties at ‘turning point in history’,” Al-Jazeera, 22 March 2025
“Foreign minister attends in Tokyo 3-way talks with China, Japan,” Korea.net, 24 March 2025
“From Eleventh Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Foreign Ministers’ Meeting,” Eurasiaview, 24 March 2025
“Will South Korea’s ‘sensitive’ country designation impair cooperation with the U.S.?,” Los Angeles Times, 18 March 2025
“Reciprocal Trade and Tariffs,” The White House, 13 February 2025