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© KYODO
China to weather Trump tariffs, seek better ties with Japan in 2025
By Maya Kaneko BEIJING©2025 GPlusMedia Inc.
47 Comments
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Tamarama
Good - that's excellent news for the region. China and Japan should most certainly be looking for better relations and to improve understanding and mutual trust, it should be a priority.
Mr Kipling
China's economic rise and the slow demise of the US cannot be stopped. All empires eventually fall to be replaced by the next.
Ricky Kaminski13
At what point will China pull back on its aggressive militarism in favor of saving its economy which is in dire straits and running on fumes? You can’t have a good trading relationship with a country while you are simultaneously threatening their borders and making threats. Even a child can understand that simple concept.
China has a clear choice to make, but watch them try and have their cake and eat it too.
dagon
Marubeni is a great example of how none of these entities are your friends.
https://www.reuters.com/article/markets/commodities/marubeni-pleads-guilty-to-pay-88-mln-for-indonesia-bribery-idUSL2N0MH02Q/
None of their economic manipulations, in this case tariffs, are to increase the prosperity of workers.
Not Trump MAGA. not Japan Inc., not China.
Workers need to become more savvy to these specious economic proposals.
TaiwanIsNotChina
China is going to be old and failing before it is anywhere near as wealthy as the US.
John-San
Tunarama: Totally agree. The so call land of free block the sale of USS and have push Japan into a position where they to allow China into TPP would a better option for them and place Japan in a better ecomonic position. Really I can not see Australia refusing China entry into the TPP and these two were the only opposition to China entry. Asia should look after Asia and come to term with Taiwan being a province of China. This has be the same position the USA as taken since 1979 and on paper have not changed. Yes Biden has said certain things but he is demented and there has never been any legal framework between USA/Taiwan as to say Taiwan is independent of China.
TaiwanIsNotChina
The 24 million people in Taiwan won't have it and their weapons get a vote, too.
The scummy UN threw Taiwan out so they and the US don't have to give a hill of beans what anyone thinks is legal for Taiwan. Indepedendent since 1912.
YeahRight
If China wants to improve relationships with Japan they can begin by start importing seafood again. But that's probably too easy for the CCP to understand. The CCP doesn't want to work towards good relationships. They just want to command them.
awomde
Japan has more historical claims over Taiwan than China does. Japan has ruled Taiwan longer than the Mainland Chinese ever did
John-San
China is going to be old and failing before it is anywhere near as wealthy as the US.
That is because of USA arms industry. Take away USA war weapon industry China would be the biggest exporter of good and services. So continuing wars is what is the only thing that is keeping the USA wealthier.
GuruMick
Rick san above....China has "necklace " or "noose " around its coastal entirety of US bases from South Korea/Japan through to the Philippines and then Guam.
Surrounded by the worlds preeminent war maker, the USA , what would you expect China to do ?
Roll over and show its belly ?
No. That was 100 years ago.
Desert Tortoise
To quote James Madison from his 4 August 1822 letter to WIlliam T. Barry:
" A popular Government, without popular information, or the means of acquiring it, is but a prologue to a Farce or a Tragedy; or perhaps both. Knowlege will for ever govern ignorance: and a people who mean to be their own Governours, must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives."
Desert Tortoise
A full frontal display of bigoted ignorance. While both the US and China face similar below replacement total fertility rates what keeps the US workforce young and vigorous are immigrants. They continually renew the workforce and, so far, have prevented the US from experiencing the kinds of demographic decline that all the nations of Asia face. That is what keeps the US economy strong.
US exports for 2024 total $1.29 Trillion. Of that $44 billion were arms. Arms are not among the top ten US exports by value.
Marc Lowe
How do we the people care whether China weathers it or not? In what way should we concern about ties between China and Japan? History has proven, over and over mind you, that Japan and China don't play well together.nNews outlets on both sides, and worldwide for that matter, do not help. Improving ties with Japan just because they are dependent on the USA will not help China with its global bullying. Now that the substitute teacher (Joe Biden) is out of the classroom and a tough as black nails teacher who is also the principal AND superintendent is coming back to the classroom with a new curriculum (DJT), the class clown (China) is in desperation mode. They will probably be expelled, despite news reports telling us otherwise.
deanzaZZR
History proves exactly the opposite with trade and cultural exchanges benefiting both sides stretching back to the 7th century with only the occasional Japanese invasion of Mainland Asia to cause problems.
EvilBuddha
Trump has not even been inaugurated yet and China wants to be friends with all its enemies.
Abe234
TaiwanIsNotChinaToday 07:25 am JST
China is going to be old and failing before it is anywhere near as wealthy as the US.
I think you completely overestimate the impact of an ageing society. Because one thing china has is a demographic imbalance. A preference for boys. Those young men are looking for a purpose in their lives, and if the CCP, embraces nationalism and takes Taiwan with a rallying call, suddenly, there is a purpose for young men to have meaning in their life. Secondly, China's trade isn't just with itself; there are other countries to trade with. Thirdly, China will raise the retirement age, making them work longer and pay more tax. The chinese military must be funded. The impact of an older population is real but it is not something that will happen next year. It will be over decades, and if China, for example, wants to take Taiwan, it would be better to do it sooner than later, and when everyone is greedy for Chinese business. One advantage the U.S has is that it can build an alliance as an English-speaking nation, has similar values, is rich, but also embraces immigration and supports and rules based world society created post WW2. Mr kipling is right, all empires fall.and the way the U.S sees debt, that's one way to fall. I'm just thinking though, where are the Empires of today? The Roman, French, German,Dutch, British, Spanish, Japanese, Russian empires were kept together by force. I'm not so sure about the U.S as an empire. Economy? Yes! and the population numbers show India, China will rise, but not as an empire, but as an economy.(me thinks).
Desert Tortoise
It never occurred to you that these young men have no interest in fighting a war. I don't think you understand how alienated from their government young Chinese are. Even in my own family the saying is "the government does what it wants and I do what I want". They don't take direction from the CCP any more. All their exhortations fall on deaf ears because everyone but the CCP members seem to know the CCP is utterly disconnected from the needs of the Chinese people and they are all corrupt to the core.
isabelle
Better relations would be good, but China must first accept that the "bad" relations are caused by its own aggression, revisionism, and outright refusal to abide by international law. I seriously doubt China under the CCP will ever do this and change for the better.
Japan should therefore just take a few "easy wins," but maintain its extreme caution and never fall for the usual CCP lies.
I very much doubt they are seriously considering China. The terms of the CPTPP are very clear, and would require China to stop its economic aggression, stealing, forced labor, market manipulation, massive government subsidies, environmental degradation, etc. etc. etc.
None of that will happen at least until Xi leaves Zhongnanhai feet-first.
Taiwan, however, already meets the CPTPP's high standards, and only pressure from China (on Singapore and Malaysia, I believe) is stopping it joining.
That's a much more realistic assessment.
isabelle
This is, word-for-word, the standard CCP line.
China's "rise" has already peaked, and Xi blew it spectacularly.
As I've told you before, the only time these 100% legal bases become a factor is if, like China, your aim is aggression and domination (cf. illegal occupation/militarization of the South China Sea, official policy of annexing Taiwan, attacks on lawfully-operating Philippine ships, etc.)
Were China peaceful and law-abiding it would have no problem with the bases. But it isn't, so it does.
Now, China builds illegal bases in the South China Sea, and attacks the ships of countries like the Philippines that are sailing legally in their own waters.
Not much of an improvement, is it?
Patient Zero
The very IDEA of Trump's inevitable return scares China into making nice.
The Trump-effect in action. Daddy's home.
isabelle
Why on earth should Asia "come to term[s]" with something that clearly isn't the case?
Total nonsense.
GuruMick
Trump has 4 years only...China has an entire history and an entire future.
Dont expect Trump to change the upward trajectory of a giant.
The world will live with China as "a" or "the " preeminent trade power....certainly the world has benefited from this so far.
Of historical interest to the west, but possibly keenly felt in China is that the US had military forces in China, including gunboats on the Yangtze River, for 100 years up until Pearl Harbour.
The US backed the wrong horse }Nationalists } in the Chinese Civil war.
isabelle
Comparing the term of an elected official to an entire country is apples-to-oranges. The USA also "has an entire history and an entire future."
And remember that the "USA" has been around far longer than the "PRC" (and I would bet it will last longer into the future too). Xi likes to claim credit for thousands of years of "China" history but his PRC is a newcomer, and one that has caused mostly misery to the Chinese people.
The ROC horse is still very much running on free Taiwan.
itsonlyrocknroll
"China"!
Come on!, the people of China are politically imprisoned, under constant surveillance . President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping is a ruthless despot dictator, a threat to global peace.
Even the basic desire for fundamental freedoms human rights could become a death sentence.
*Freedom of thought, conscience, and religion**: The right to change one's religion or belief, and to practice one's religion in public or private *
*Freedom of expression**: The right to hold opinions and to receive and share information and ideas without interference *
*Freedom of movement**: The right to move throughout one's country *
*Right to equality before the law**: The right to be treated equally under the law *
*Right to work and education**: The right to work and receive an education *
The global free world the, Japan people cannot do business, will never be able to trust dictatorships, despotism that commits genocide of its own people.
The constantly threaten regional neighbours,
Established trading shipping routes, demand that south and east China seas, are the sole property of the government of China.
Taiwan is living under the cloud of a despot regime.
GuruMick
Rocknroll above....Isnt the USA one of the worlds leaders when it comes to imprisoning people ?
That sounds a little despotic as well.
One cant deny Chinas rapid rise from feudal like era to industrial and now space entering powerhouse.
A remarkable triumph if seen objectively.
Mr Kipling
Most people in Taiwan DO NOT want independence. This is a lie put out by the US and it's able backers in the western media. Most people in Taiwan DO NOT want to be "unified" with China. Most want to continue just as they are. They know that Taiwan is totally dependent on China for its economy. They do not want a war.
itsonlyrocknroll
GuruMick, certainly "democracy" has been a get out of jail free card for corrupt governments, also has not prevented countries from openly abuses of human rights. And yes a surveillance society. A tendency for forced regime change with horrific results.
Face with a choice I would choose the "American way" over any other.
I admit to having a rather unsympathetic approach to the government of China.
China is the only country I have visited on business that insisted we had "minders".
Although that was a decade ago.
isabelle
The country is already independent, as stated many times by its government. The below still holds true:
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2023/08/16/2003804803
Disproved by the Taiwan government's official statements.
This is true.
It's true that they want their present way of life to continue, but without the PRC's nonsensical threat of annexation hanging over them.
So, I suspect that "continue just as they are, but without the PRC threat" would be the real answer.
Except it isn't.
Taiwan has been diversifying very well, through efforts such as Tsai's successful New Southbound Policy. FDI into China is at 30-year lows, and it is China that wants Taiwan to increase its engagement (read: dependency), not the other way around.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/foreign-direct-investment-to-china-slumps-to-30-year-low
This is true.
Sadly, it is the maniacal dictator of the totalitarian state next door that will decide this.
robert maes
China is economically dead. It never was what it pretended to be to the outside.
it is a communist, state controlled, giant on paper feet.
they can never be trusted to respect a contract or keep their word.
the only reason they can compete is the stealing of IP and technology mixed with no P/L worries as every company is state financed. Individual companies that try to run their company on western principles is immediately reigned in. ( Alibaba).
believing China is believing in santaclaus.
stickman1760
This is vintage Kyodo
send a Japanese reporter to Beijing and have her ask a bunch of Japanese guys what they think China will do. Maybe ask some Chinese?
Abe234
Desert TortoiseToday 10:44 am JST
It never occurred to you that these young men have no interest in fighting a war. I don't think you understand how alienated from their government young Chinese are. Even in my own family the saying is "the government does what it wants and I do what I want". They don't take direction from the CCP any more. All their exhortations fall on deaf ears because everyone but the CCP members seem to know the CCP is utterly disconnected from the needs of the Chinese people and they are all corrupt to the core.
Many have no interest in fighting a war.You're right! It's not a ZERO, and we aren't dealing with a democracy, but a dictatorship. I hope you are right! Some will join up, some will enlist and some will be drafted and its a very brave man who will stand up and say NO! Not in my name! especially to a dictator. The people you know may not take directions from the CCP, but just because some don't, it doesn't mean NOBODY WILL. Many will do as the CCP tells them for fear of repercussions and we can see that historically. We have seen this for decades. one-child policy, Homes torn down, fear of arrest, loss of social privileges, freedom of speech, Tianamin, The Uyghurs, and Tibetans. We shouldn't underestimate the power of, WELL, IT's NOT ME mentality. I hope you are right, but many will step up the plate. We saw that in Russia, Ukraine, the U.S U.K. et al.
TaiwanIsNotChina
There is a gun to the head of the Taiwanese. Remove the gun and you can get an honest poll. Meanwhile the one part of your post that is correct is that they want unification no way no how:
https://esc.nccu.edu.tw/PageDoc/Detail?fid=7800&id=6961
TaiwanIsNotChina
Press freedom is orders of magnitude more important than the number of people locked up on drug offenses:
https://rsf.org/en/country/china
But they remain in the stone age politically.
asdfghjkl
Seek better ties with Japan or find new ways to get its way with Japan? Usually it seems to be a one way conversation.
TaiwanIsNotChina
Well we certainly weren't going to back a Soviet puppet more interested in fighting the nationalists than the Japanese.
asdfghjkl
Didn’t they just release a Japanese woman, imprisoned for spying charges while she was in Japan!
itsonlyrocknroll
If there is one unescapable fact lesson.
No dictatorship prevails, either autocrat, authoritarian.
President of the People's Republic of China Xi Jinping imposes his will by brutal repression, authority through institutional structures, resorting to cruel tyranny.
Humanity very nature, will yearn for freedom, dismantling his militarisation of the state control one piece at a time.
Fos
As we all know the US State department disinformation has a track record of promoting manipulative narratives and the last thing Washington wants is Japan to get closer commercially and economically to China.
China is the model the world needs to study and replicate. For four decades China has rose to economic significance in relative peace, unlike United States of America.
The rise of China and its role in global capitalism have challenged the economic dominance of the west, and shattered the convenient notion that the market necessarily brings freedom. To create the impression that problems of political oppression or technological abuse are uniquely Chinese is to refuse knowledge of the complexity of governance, as well as of humanity.
The problem is the US refuses to change and accept the fact that it’s no longer the sole hegemon, and the anti-Beijing hysteria is clearly being led by the United States which is not concerned that China will attack other countries, but is worried that its world hegemony is being challenged
One more reality check: United States of America military spending in 2023 was over $900 billions, 3 times as much as China, based on the statistics from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute
Wondering who is the threat here...
isabelle
Well, wonder no longer: it's China.
Hope this helps.
TaiwanIsNotChina
We don't need countries emulating the repression of the PRC, nor the belligerence of its actions in the SCS or Taiwan Strait.
As well we should as we have to reach across the world to throw China back.
Desert Tortoise
Peak China was last year. They are at the apogee of their trajectory. Their economy will be dragged down by their irreversible demographic decline and by the brain dead central control policies of Xi Jinping. Unless Xi Jinping is deposed somehow, something that is increasingly unlikely despite two earlier coup attempts, Xi seems determined to repeat the mistakes of his idol Mao Zedong and run the Chinese economy into the ditch again.
Desert Tortoise
Maybe the CCP could start being a model for the world by giving my family back their home in Shanghai. The Red Guards took it during the Cultural Revolution and a party puke still lives there rent free. That was our home. Some model for the world to replicate. I want no part of it.
Fos
Desert Tortoise
Or perhaps the big US industrial military complex should have prevented their greed from producing hundreds of thousands deaths only in the last three years, (without counting too long far back), between Ukraine and Middle East. What is more important?
quercetum
Targeted tariffs are illegal. The U.S. do not have to abide by WTO rules. Superpowers like China and the U.S. can add tariffs for particular countries and ban imports, such as seafood, at their will. The whiners cry WTO but there’s nothing the WTO can do.
kaimycahl
LMFAO China cannot be trusted. Every country they have been to they double crossed. Look at whats happening in Africa, the people are so upset there they are burning down everything the Chinese built because of all the underhand tactics the chinese government has done. First they had ties with Lil Kim he was smart and sided with Russia, because china tried to play him then china was in bed with russia. Now they say they want to seek better ties with Japan in 2025. CHINA HAS NO FRIENDS!! They are leaving nothing but a trail of enemies, they don't believe in friendship they believe in ENDSHIPS!
isabelle
Only if they are so misguided/reckless that they don't care about the reputational costs.
If a country consistently breaks the rules on trade, other nations will not trust it. This will severely disadvantage that country in any future negotiations, and preclude it from joining important agreements like the CPTPP, where one of the requirements is-
"a demonstrated pattern of complying with trade commitments."
This is one of the many reasons why China is being blocked from the CPTPP by Japan and others.
And that lack of trust in trade will also extend to other areas: if you can't trust China to uphold a simple fisheries agreement, why should you trust it on anything else?
China is big, with an important market, but it can't break the rules with impunity. If it does it will suffer consequences, and this is happening right now.