The trade and commerce ministers of South Korea, Japan, and the United States committed to working together on critical issues such as supply chains for semiconductors, export regulations, safe use of artificial intelligence (AI), and sustainable energy.
At the beginning of the conference in Washington, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo declared, “We’re doubling down our efforts to work together.”
“Since our three economies are at the forefront of manufacturing, services, technology, and innovation, it is imperative that we collaborate not only for the betterment of our own nations but also for the global safety and security,” stated Raimondo.
According to reports, she was accompanied for the initial trilateral meeting by Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Ken Saito and South Korean Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Ahn Duk-geun.
The meetings were decided by the leaders of the countries at a summit held at Camp David in August.
Following the discussion, the ministers said that they will focus joint efforts on a set of strategic areas designed to enhance the security and prosperity of our people and the Indo-Pacific region.
Mr. Saito said the three agreed to realise a strong and reliable supply chain for strategic materials by working together with like-minded countries, including Japan, the United States, and South Korea, and designing a market where factors other than price are fairly evaluated.
Last month, President Joe Biden pledged to dramatically raise tariffs on vital minerals from China as part of Washington’s efforts to diminish China’s dominance in crucial mineral supply chains.
In March, a Commerce Department official stated that the US was encouraging allies to prohibit domestic enterprises from serving specific chipmaking gear or Chinese customers, as part of the US effort to limit China’s chipmaking capacity.
