Media: Beijing seeks Tokyo’s support in escalating trade dispute with US

Chinese Prime Minister Li Qiang has urged Japanese counterpart Shigeru Ishiba to collaborate in mounting a coordinated response to the United States’ escalating protectionist trade policies.

The appeal, delivered through a formal letter transmitted via the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo, underscores Beijing’s call for joint opposition to US President Donald Trump’s tariff measures, Caliber.Az reports citing foreign media.

Quoting multiple Japanese government officials, the source revealed that Premier Li emphasized the need to “fight protectionism together.”

Neither the Chinese nor Japanese foreign ministries have issued official comments on the letter at the time of reporting.

The message from Beijing comes as China steps up diplomatic efforts to counter what it views as a growing economic offensive from Washington. On April 21, Chinese officials warned other nations against entering broader trade agreements with the US at China’s expense, further intensifying the rhetoric in the ongoing trade dispute between the world’s two largest economies.

Japan, despite being a longstanding strategic ally of the United States, was not spared from President Trump’s sweeping tariff regime introduced earlier this month. In response, Tokyo has entered into negotiations with Washington in an attempt to mitigate the impact on its economy.

The outreach from Premier Li marks a notable move by Beijing to seek common cause with Tokyo, despite years of diplomatic strain between the two Asian powers stemming from territorial disputes and historical grievances, as well as competition in regional and global trade arenas.

Analysts suggest that while the likelihood of formal Japan-China economic alignment remains limited, the gesture signals Beijing’s broader strategy of seeking multilateral support to confront US trade aggression.

The situation continues to unfold as global markets watch closely for signs of shifting alliances and emerging economic blocs in response to the evolving trade dynamics.

By Vafa Guliyeva