Japan and China, in recent months, have undertaken strategic measures to improve their trade relations in response to trade war measures against both countries by the Trump administration. Both governments are exploring closer economic relations to offset Washington’s trade war measures.

Japan, as the third largest economy in the world, is turning to China to offset the negative impact of the more openly predatory US policy. With the economies in the region closely linked, the US tariffs on Chinese goods will also indirectly impact Japan. However, Tokyo will use whatever foothold it can gain through this apparent thaw in relations with Beijing to ensure its imperialist interests are met. Rather than working as a junior partner of the US, the Abe government is increasingly pursuing a more independent foreign policy and remilitarizing so it can back it through force of arms if necessary.

For China, opening new markets would mitigate some of the effects of US tariffs already imposed on $50 billion worth of goods and another $200 billion that Trump is now proceeding with. To mend relations with Tokyo, Beijing has toned down its anti-Japanese chauvinism and also eased tensions over its territorial dispute.