Minister Hagiuda Attends G7 Trade Ministers' Meeting

Overview of the meeting

• On March 23, the G7 Trade Ministers' Meeting was held with Germany as the chair. As representatives of Japan, Minister Hagiuda and Mr. Hayashi Yoshimasa, Minister for Foreign Affairs, attended the meeting via video conference. (Minister Hagiuda participated online from Paris, France, where he was on a visit)

• At the meeting, G7 trade ministers held lively discussions on responses to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the maintenance and strengthening of the multilateral trading system in view of the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12), and other matters.

Comments by Minister Hagiuda (excerpt)

• The invasion of Ukraine by Russia is an attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by force, and it is absolutely unacceptable. I would like to continue working with G7 members to stop the Russian invasion and restore order to the international community.

• The WTO is the most important foundation for tying together a divided global economy. It is essential that we gain broad support from developing countries and bring back the functions of the WTO. I would like to move forward with discussions on WTO reform where it is possible.

• Maintaining and strengthening the free and fair multilateral trading system promoted by the WTO is also an attempt to build the foundation for peace by deepening economic interdependence.

• Although it depends largely on future developments, I would like to continue discussing the results at the MC12.

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Division in Charge

Multilateral Trade System Department, Trade Policy Bureau