Description: Social media accounts connected to the China Central Television posted indications on a trilateral cooperation between China, Japan and South Korea in response to US upcoming tariffs. South Korea’s trade ministry was the first to denounce such coordinated approach labeling the posts as exaggerated. Japan responded in a similar fashion stating that trade cooperation has been discussed over the weekend from official representatives but no coordinated approach to US tariffs was determined. The three countries have substantially developed trade and economic ties but are in constant territorial and geopolitical disputes.
Impact: Chinese social media indications on a trilateral approach towards Donald Trump tariff policies could be considered as an indirect pressure towards the US to reconsider their imposition. The three countries cooperate on economy and trade matters but are significantly divided when regional and global issues are concerned as Japan and South Korea are geopolitically aligned with the US rather than China. Japan and South Korea have so far maneuvered diplomatically in order to avoid possible economic consequences from Trump’s tariff policies however, the US President has effectively incentivized a global trade war which may or may not prompt traditional allegiances to considerably shift.