China, Japan, South Korea seek to counter Trump’s tariffs with trilateral deal

China, Japan and South Korea have initiated trilateral dialogues to coordinate a joint response to Trump’s tariffs imposed by the United States. At their first economic meeting in five years, the three countries agreed to strengthen regional trade relations and mitigate disruptions caused by these measures.

As part of this cooperation, Japan and South Korea plan to import semiconductor raw materials from China, while China is interested in purchasing semiconductor products from Japan and South Korea.

The ministers also agreed to improve collaboration on supply chains and increase dialogue on export controls. In addition, they seek to advance negotiations on a trilateral free trade agreement to strengthen regional and global trade, despite the effects that Trump’s tariffs have generated in the Asian economy.

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Since 2024, during the Trilateral Summit, China urged Japan and South Korea to reject protectionism and to defend a free, open, fair and non-discriminatory trade and investment environment.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang emphasized opposition to turning economic and trade issues into “political games or security issues” and stressed that the three countries should see each other as partners and opportunities for development. In this context, Trump’s tariffs have been a key point of debate, as they have affected the dynamics of trade between the Asian powers.

Trump’s tariffs: Flow of raw materials for semiconductors.

Japan and South Korea depend on China for the supply of certain materials essential in semiconductor manufacturing. One of the most critical is rare earths, such as neodymium, dysprosium and gallium, which are critical for the production of advanced chips. China dominates the extraction and refining of these elements, giving it a strategic position in the global technology supply chain.

Another input is refined silicon and silicon wafers, the basis for the manufacture of integrated circuits. China has developed significant capacity to refine this material and produce it in large volumes.

In addition, it provides specialty chemicals, such as high-purity hydrofluoric acid, an essential component for chip etching, especially in the production of advanced semiconductors.

Semiconductor flow to China

Although China is a powerhouse in electronics manufacturing, it still relies on Japan and South Korea for advanced semiconductor procurement. Japan excels in the production of lithography equipment and materials, which are critical in the manufacture of next-generation chips. Japanese companies are leaders in the production of photoresist and optical lenses, essential inputs for the semiconductor industry.

South Korea, through technology giants such as Samsung and SK Hynix, produces DRAM and NAND Flash memory chips, essential for modern electronic devices. China needs these semiconductors to supply its growing technology industry, reinforcing the trade interdependence between these three countries. However, Trump’s tariffs have hindered some transactions, creating uncertainty about the future of semiconductor trade.

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Benefits and risks of cooperation in the face of Trump’s tariffs

This trade relationship offers significant advantages for the three nations. On the one hand, it makes it possible to reduce vulnerability to trade restrictions by the United States, which has imposed sanctions on the Chinese semiconductor industry. In addition, strengthening this cooperation helps maintain technological competitiveness in Asia, consolidating the region as a key player in the global chip industry. It also stabilizes supply chains in a context of growing economic protectionism.

However, there are also risks. Japan and South Korea may face pressure from the US to limit the sale of key technology to China, which could affect the trade balance between the parties. At the same time, China is seeking to accelerate the development of its local semiconductor industry to reduce its dependence on foreign suppliers, which could diminish cooperation in the future. In this scenario, Trump’s tariffs remain a barrier forcing the three countries to rethink their trade and diplomatic strategies.