G7 Urges Repeal of Import Curbs on Japanese Food, Expresses Concerns About Economic Coercion

For Environmental Activists, Concerned Citizens, and In-Depth News Readers

In a statement marked by its professionalism and neutrality, the Group of Seven (G7) trade ministers has called for the "immediate repeal" of import curbs on Japanese food products. Although China is not explicitly mentioned, these restrictions are widely seen as a reference to the measures put in place following Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The G7 trade ministers have come together to address the growing concerns surrounding economic dependencies and the need to build free, fair, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationships. They deplore actions that seek to weaponize economic dependencies, and this 10-page statement reflects their commitment to these ideals.

Two months ago, China imposed a blanket suspension on Japanese fish imports in response to Japan's release of treated radioactive water into the Pacific. Both Japan and the United States have criticized these restrictions as unfair, and this stance has been echoed by Russia, which recently announced a similar embargo.

This ongoing release of treated radioactive waste water into the sea, which is expected to continue for decades, has faced strong opposition from fishing groups and neighboring countries, including South Korea. The situation has raised concerns about its environmental impact and the safety of the Pacific Ocean.

In response to the G7's statement, China has urged the group not to "stubbornly adhere to double standards" and to take practical actions to maintain a normal international trade and investment order. They have labeled the G7's actions as "economic coercion," emphasizing the potential disruption to global production and supply chains.

Apart from the concerns related to food imports, the G7 has also expressed unease about recent control measures on the export of critical minerals. China, as the world's top graphite producer, has recently announced export restrictions on this key material, used in electric vehicle batteries. This move is seen as a response to challenges over China's global manufacturing dominance.

The G7 trade ministers share a common concern about reducing dependence on a single country for the supply of critical resources. Yasutoshi Nishimura, the trade minister of the host country, Japan, emphasized their unanimous agreement to build resilient and reliable supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, and batteries during a press conference.

The G7 ministers have also reaffirmed their concerns about "a wide and evolving range of non-market policies," which include "pervasive, opaque, and trade-distortive industrial subsidies," as well as forced technology transfer.

While addressing various global issues, the G7 officials condemned Russia's destruction of Ukrainian grain export infrastructure during its invasion of Ukraine. They also criticized Moscow's decision to unilaterally leave talks on an agreement that allowed Ukraine to export wheat and other products through the Black Sea.

However, it's worth noting that unlike a recent G7 finance ministers' meeting that condemned "terror attacks" on Israel by Hamas, the trade ministers did not directly address the Middle East crisis. Instead, they highlighted their intention to raise awareness about the challenges of moving humanitarian goods across international borders during natural disasters and other emergencies.

This comprehensive statement by the G7 trade ministers reflects their commitment to addressing global economic and trade challenges while maintaining a professional and neutral stance.

#G7Trade, #GlobalEconomy, #EconomicCoercion, #TradeRelations, #EnvironmentalConcerns

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