The improving ties among China, Japan, and South Korea following Donald Trump’s comeback at the White House have sparked optimism for advancements in the region along with increased mutual comprehension.

The relationships among China, Japan, and South Korea have remained chilly for several years due to both Tokyo and Seoul moving nearer to the United States as Sino-American relations worsened. However, this situation changed considerably within the past two months following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, his aggressive initiation of tariff disputes, and the resulting doubt cast upon longstanding security partnerships.

Currently, Asia’s neighboring countries are actively seeking stronger connections, a positive shift. There are valid justifications for this move. Neither Japan nor South Korea has evaded the impact of Trump’s tariff measures, which affect both allies and adversaries indiscriminately. This week, Trump announced 25 percent duties on cars not produced within the United States. As their manufacturing facilities are located in Mexico, Japanese companies like Nissan, Honda, Toyota, and Mazda along with Korean firms such as Kia and Hyundai find themselves squarely in the crosshairs of these protectionist policies. Additionally, the U.S. has enforced 20 percent tariffs on all Chinese products.

Trump has shaken traditional security alliances, cosying up to Russia, clashing with Nato allies over support for Ukraine, and undermining an Atlantic Alliance that has preserved security in Europe since the second world war. Tokyo and Seoul too have reason to doubt the strength of their security ties with Washington.

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This all contributes to understanding the advancements celebrated during tripartite discussions between the three East Asian nations held in Tokyo towards the end of March. Following conversations with their hosts—Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya and South Korean National Security Adviser Cho Tae-yul—Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi advocated for open commerce, enhanced regional collaboration, and bolstered economic unification as means to address the “instability and turmoil” within the global arena. Both Wang and Iwaya concurred that the worldwide situation had grown increasingly “challenging,” emphasizing that we stand at a pivotal moment necessitating unity achieved via communication.

The ministers also agreed to accelerate preparations for a summit between Premier Li Qiang and his Japanese and South Korean counterparts later this year, and to continue talks on a free-trade agreement that were revived last year after being dormant since 2019. As regards North Korea, Wang described the situation on the peninsula as “complex, sensitive, unstable, and with increasing uncertainties”, adding that China would work with all stakeholders on a political solution. The three reaffirmed that maintaining peace and stability on the Korean peninsula was their shared interest and responsibility, the Yonhap News Agency quoted Cho as saying.

After years of drift, the three North Asian powers are at last speaking about a free-trade agreement, bolstering regional security, and arranging for summits. Given the global uncertainty, it is hoped that momentum from their sudden warming in relations can be sustained, and lead to progress that is significant and lasting.

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The article initially appeared on the South ChinaMorning Post (www.scmp.com), which is the premier source for news coverage of China and Asia.

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