歐盟與日本：合作引領經濟秩序
・關注中美關稅措施
・自由貿易與供應鏈聯盟即將啟動
《讀賣新聞》文章摘要
Draft Japan-EU joint statement:
The draft joint statement to be compiled by Prime Minister Ishiba and European Union (EU) leaders at a meeting within the month was revealed on July 14th.
There are concerns about economic coercion, such as tariff measures by the US and China.
1. Japan and Europe will launch a “competitiveness alliance” to lead the international economic order.
2. Strengthen cooperation between Japan and Europe in a wide range of fields, including economic security, trade, and the defense industry.
Japan-EU meeting to be held in Tokyo:
European Commission President von der Leyen and European Council President Costa will visit Japan for the meeting.
1. The two EU leaders will visit Japan and hold a meeting in Tokyo on July 23rd.
2. After the meeting, a joint statement and an annex on a competitiveness alliance are scheduled to be released.
EU-Japan Competitiveness Alliance: Main areas of cooperation:
1. Trade: Strengthen the principles of free trade policy in multilateral forums. Japan and the EU will also cooperate in the WTO and G7.
2. Economy and security: Monitor supply chains for strategic materials. Strengthen supply networks for critical raw materials such as rare earths and batteries.
3. Energy: Support investments for stable supplies of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and other fuels.
4. Bio: Share information on the use of biotechnology and promote collaboration between Japanese and European companies.
5. Space: Promote the development of a “citizen-based constellation” that uses a large number of small devices in one.
6. Defense industry: Establish a public-private dialogue in the defense industry to utilize advanced technologies and dual-use technologies.
Drafting the joint statement:
Japan and the EU emphasized that they “firmly share values and principles” regarding the rule of law and free trade.
They expressed the view that “Japan-Europe cooperation is more important than ever.”
1. The Chinese government is strengthening trade controls, including export restrictions on rare earths.
2. The Trump administration has notified Japan and the EU of high tariffs.
Japan and Europe want to contribute to “maintaining and strengthening a rules-based, free and fair economic order.”
Progress of Japan-Europe economic cooperation:
1. Japan and Europe have deepened their cooperative relationship through the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), which came into effect in 2019.
2. In January of this year, the new Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement officially came into effect.
The Competitiveness Union this time is based on these foundations and aims to further strengthen the strategic competitiveness of Japan and Europe, taking into account the current state of the global economy.
Specific areas of cooperation between Japan and Europe:
Trade and economic security will be the pillars. We aim to maintain a free trade system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core.
1. Japan and Europe would like to jointly lead the coordination of opinions in multilateral forums such as the WTO and G7.
2. Japan and Europe would like to monitor the supply chains of strategic materials and strengthen supply networks for raw materials such as rare earths, and batteries.
3. To strengthen energy security, we will also support investments aimed at stabilizing the supply of LNG.
4. The agreement also includes accelerating the development of “satellite constellations” of multiple small satellites.