Export restrictions on electronic chips raise differences between China and Japan’s trade ministers

Official statements by the governments of China and Japan revealed differences between the two countries’ trade ministers during a meeting in Detroit due to restrictions on the export of chips to China and Beijing’s detention of Japanese nationals.

Trade Minister Wang Wentao complained during a meeting with Japanese counterpart Yasutoshi Nishimura in Detroit last Saturday about Japan’s restrictions on chip exports to China and the attack on the latter during the G-7 summit, hosted by the Japanese city of Hiroshima earlier this month.

In contrast, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry confirmed in a statement that Nishimura called on Wang to release an employee of Japanese pharmaceutical company Astelas Pharma who was arrested by China last March.

The meeting came as relations between the two Asian neighbors deteriorated, with Japan trying to maintain trade relations with China as its largest trading partner, but not in contradiction with its US ally’s national security policies.

At the same time, Wang informed his Japanese counterpart of China’s willingness to work with Japan to encourage cooperation in key trade and economic sectors, and Nishimura Luang said that ensuring the safety and security of Japanese corporate employees and maintaining a transparent business environment are important factors for sustaining economic cooperation.

According to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the two ministers agreed to maintain contacts between the two sides.