EU, Japan Strengthen Trade, Defense Cooperation Amid Global Tensions

At the 30th EU–Japan summit in Tokyo, Japan and the European Union announced plans to strengthen their trade alliance and economic security cooperation amid global trade tensions and geopolitical challenges, including Russia's aggression in Ukraine and concerns over the Indo-Pacific region. Both sides launched a 'Competitiveness Alliance' aimed at enhancing supply chain resilience, reducing strategic dependencies, and promoting a stable, rules-based international trade order with the WTO at its core. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and EU leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa also agreed to expand cooperation on defense and economic security, including launching dialogue to reinforce defense industry bases. The efforts come as Japan recently reached a trade agreement with the US lowering tariffs on its exports, while the EU continues to face high US tariffs on steel, aluminum, and cars. The EU and Japan emphasized their commitment to multilateralism and free trade to counter economic coercion and unfair trading practices, underscoring the interconnected security of Europe and the Indo-Pacific. These moves reflect a strategic partnership seeking to address the complexities of the global geopolitical environment and economic challenges posed by China and the US.