U.S. tariff fear brings South Korea, China and Japan closer

Neighbours who aren’t on good terms since decades, are now forced to come together and explore trade opportunities after the United States’ tariffs. In that process, Asian economic giants China, South Korea and Japan held their first economic dialogue in Seol on Sunday seeking trade cooperation.

According to reports, the trade ministers of the three nations agreed to "closely cooperate for a comprehensive and high-level" talks on South Korea, Japan, China free trade agreement deal. Aim is to promote "regional and global trade".

While South Korea, so far an ally of the United States, has been badly hit by the U.S. tariff, China has been a trade competitor the U.S. wants to counter at every step. Japan, a tech power with much less military strength after its ‘no nuclear weapon’ policy, wants to explore new vistas for trade.

Interestingly, these nations have been major trade partners of the U.S, though they hardly get along well among themselves over issues like territorial disputes and regional rivalry.