China, Japan, South Korea Meet In Kuala Lumpur, Likely To Discuss US Tariffs, Countermeasures
BUSINESS • 08/04/2025 10:18 AM
By Harizah Hanim Mohamed

KUALA LUMPUR, April 8 (Bernama) -- China, Japan and South Korea, which have signalled alliances since the announcement of sweeping US tariffs, held their second trilateral meeting in just eight days after their first engagement this year, reflecting the urgency as Washington’s move has caused ripple effects globally.

The meeting between the three economic powerhouses on March 30 came under the spotlight after the US President announced a baseline tariff of 10 per cent on all countries, with higher duties for some, including China, which now faces a 34 per cent tariff on imports, and Japan, hit with a 24 per cent duty.

As for South Korea, it is bidding to lower the 25 per cent tariff rate.

It is understood the meeting raised concerns over the global and their respective economic outlooks, as tariff policies such as this hurt trade, business and consumer confidence, and ultimately strain diplomatic ties.

Global markets took a rout on Monday, reportedly wiping out more than US$10 trillion from major markets.

The Malaysian bourse reportedly lost RM93.15 billion in market capitalisation.

The trilateral meeting, held on the sidelines of the 12th ASEAN Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors’ Meeting (AFMGM), saw the attendance of China’s Vice Minister of Finance, Liao Min; Japan’s Vice Minister of Finance, Atsushi Mimura; and South Korea’s Deputy Minister for International Affairs, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Choi Jiyoung.

The three leaders are also likely to attend two sessions of the ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting (AFCDM+3) today.

This latest US move is expected to raise the total duties on Chinese goods to 54 per cent this year, while for South Korea, the Trump administration's global reciprocal tariffs chart shows a 25 per cent rate.

In response, China has fired back with retaliatory tariffs of 34 per cent on all US imports, effective April 10, according to international media reports.

The +3 economies had previously convened in late March and hinted at a joint response to the escalating tariff tensions.

The meeting marked the first economic dialogue in five years among the three Asian export powerhouses, who are seeking to bolster regional trade amid mounting US protectionism.

At the March 30 meeting in Seoul, China, Japan and South Korea reaffirmed their commitment to trilateral economic and trade cooperation to tackle “emerging challenges”—a partnership now seen as increasingly vital in light of the US measures that have sparked fears of a global trade war.

The three nations also agreed to accelerate negotiations on a trilateral free trade agreement, though concrete progress remains elusive.

-- BERNAMA

Source: https://www.bernamabiz.com/news.php?id=2410154

The European Union can't even be 100% united against the USA

Imagine CN KR JP with all the historical baggage between them

EU can't even agree as a bloc, much less tie up with CN KR JP + SEA + Africa + Latin America

Let me know when ASEAN can work together as a bloc (ref: Myanmar issues)

If Trump can unite the East Asian states with their historical baggage, SEA with the different priorities, Africa with their different problems, and how much does those 3 parties know about Latin America, that would be a literal achievement in its own right.

Which with Trump, one cannot rule out...........

Don't forget harmonising visa free entry between ASEAN nations, and interoperability between payment QR codes (between Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand for now)

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/a...tical-landscape

You mean its not because of:
- high cost of living
- Housing, education, and healthcare costs risen significantly
- 4-2-1 problem
- 996 work hours
- 2 generations brought up under the 1 child policy so they are used to only being the only child
- Smaller houses that are expensive

Nah, semua salah k-pop!

I didn't see that video; thanks for sharing

But it is consistent with my perceptions of my interactions with PRC's

2 generations have no concept of having siblings

And people act pikachu surprised why the "kids these days" only have 1 child, if at all

(The same way 2 generations in Malaysia have been brainwashed to go "Halal cert mana Halal cert?" and think that is normal)

Then act surprised why people aren't having children

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...it-in-kl/172145

Its being held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre

https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/202...-meeting/172187