METI Minister Nishimura Visits Detroit, the United States

1. 2023 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting

The 2023 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Meeting was held in Detroit, the U.S. It was chaired by Dr. Katherine Tai, Trade Representative of the U.S., the 2023 APEC chair economy. Minister Nishimura attended the meeting as a representative of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI). (Mr. Yamada Kenji, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, also attended as a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).)

At the meeting, participants held intensive discussions focusing on such subjects as supporting the multilateral trading system and advancing sustainable and inclusive trade.

The following are highlights of Minister Nishimura’s statements:

• A rule-based multilateral trading system is significant and requires the following actions to be taken to make progress towards MC13: WTO reform, restoring the WTO dispute settlement function; the substantial conclusion of the plurilateral negotiations on electronic commerce by the end of 2023; and the reaching of an agreement on the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmission.
• In addition, it is imperative that we establish a free and fair trade order in the Asia-Pacific region, and that we jointly address coercive economic measures and ensure a level playing field.
• It is important to achieve a Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy for sustainable growth and it is necessary to promote practical energy transition through various pathways, as each economy has different circumstances. The presence of startups that solve societal challenges through innovation also plays a significant role.
• Aiming to minimize the impact of recent supply-chain disruptions, Japan would like to work with emerging and developing economies to ensure reliable supply chains.
• Sophisticated business is important for sustainable growth. To this end, it is necessary to promote data free flow with trust (DFFT), develop new international rules for the digital economy, including the WTO e-commerce negotiations, and encourage data interoperability of each economy’s trade platforms.

Reference：2023 APEC Ministers Responsible for Trade Statement of the Chair

2. IPEF Ministerial Meeting

On May 27, 2023, the IPEF Ministerial Meeting was held in Detroit. Minister Nishimura attended the meeting as a representative of METI. (State Minister Yamada also attended as a representative of MOFA.)

The IPEF Supply Chain Agreement Negotiations was substantially concluded at the meeting. In addition, the participants welcomed the progress in the Trade Pillar, Clean Economy Pillar and Fair Economy Pillar, and agreed to accelerate negotiations for reaching an agreement as early as possible. In this regard, two press statements containing these points were released.

Along with this, the IPEF partners agreed to introduce a regional hydrogen initiative under the leadership of Singapore and Japan to encourage widespread deployment of low-carbon and renewable hydrogen and its derivatives in the region.

During the Ministerial, Minister Nishimura stressed the significance of advancing concrete efforts among reliable partner countries to enhance resilient supply chains. Following this, he also stated that through the hydrogen initiative, partner countries would need to promote concrete future-oriented cooperation, aiming to advance collaboration in new fields and organize a region-wide, seamless environment for using hydrogen. Moreover, he also announced that Japan will invite negotiators of the IPEF partners to “IPEF Japan Week”, a training program as an effort to enhance resilient supply chains.

• Reference：Press Statement on the Substantial Conclusion of IPEF Supply Chain Agreement Negotiations
• Reference：Press Statement for the Trade Pillar, Clean Economy Pillar, and Fair Economy Pillar

3. Bilateral meetings and other occasions

Minister Nishimura took the opportunity to exchange views with the representatives of participating members and others on cooperation for the success of the meetings and bilateral economic ties.

(1) Meeting with Hon. Damien O'Connor, Minister for Trade and Export Growth, New Zealand

The two ministers exchanged views on ideal approaches to cooperation in the field of trade, such as IPEF and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), while taking into consideration the Japan-New Zealand relationship as partners for strategic cooperation.

(2) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Juan Carlos Martinez Salazar, Minister of Foreign Trade and Tourism, the Republic of Peru

At the meeting, Japan and Peru confirmed that they are important partners sharing basic values, such as freedom, human rights, democracy and the rule of law.

The year 2023 is the 150th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Peru diplomatic ties. Taking this special year as an opportunity, the two ministers exchanged views on further reinforcing their bilateral economic ties.

(3) Meeting with Senator Hon. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism, Australia

The ministers noted the shared awareness of Japan and Australia, through their special strategic partnership, on the need to respond against economic intimidation and so forth. They mutually confirmed the importance of Japan-Australia collaboration in such efforts as cooperation in IPEF, WTO, CPTPP and the fields of resources and energy.

(4) Meeting with H.E. Dr. Zulkifli Hasan, Minister of Trade, Indonesia

The year 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation. Taking this special year as an opportunity, Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Minister Hasan, the minister responsible for the economy of Indonesia as the 2023 ASEAN chair country. The ministers exchanged views on the future direction of Japan-ASEAN collaboration, trade policies, including the full implementation of RCEP in a transparent manner, and the development of the business environment in Indonesia.

(5) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Richard Maru, Minister for International Trade, Papua New Guinea

The ministers held discussions on ideal approaches to future collaboration with island countries and other issues and confirmed that Japan and Papua New Guinea would further enrich their economic ties.

(6) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Industry and Trade, Viet Nam

The year 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-Viet Nam diplomatic ties. Taking this special year as an opportunity, Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Minister Dien, the minister responsible for the economy of Viet Nam. They agreed on enhanced collaboration in IPEF, CPTPP and RCEP and also confirmed that Japan and Viet Nam would continue to collaborate in a wide variety of bilateral policies.

(7) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce, China

Minister Nishimura stated the importance of ensuring the security of company staff involved in business in China and securing a transparent and fair business environment in order to advance economic cooperation between Japan and China. He also requested China to release a Japanese worker detained in China as early as possible and to remedy the preferential treatment for domestic products. In addition, he requested China to terminate its regulations on the import of Japanese foods as early as possible.

Moreover, the two ministers agreed to meet regularly for close communication.

(8) Meeting with H.E. Ms. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development, Canada

Japan and Canada, as partner countries having common values in the Indo-Pacific region, confirmed cooperation in the WTO, CPTPP and other issues in the field of trade. The ministers held discussions for further acceleration and specification of bilateral cooperation in battery supply chains and the field of advanced industrial technology.

(9) Meeting with H.E. Ms. Gina M. Raimondo, U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Japan and the U.S. held the Second Japan-U.S. Commercial and Industrial Partnership (JUCIP) Ministerial Meeting and issued a joint statement. In addition, they confirmed that the two countries would tackle IPEF through close collaboration mainly in the field of supply chains.

Reference: Minister Nishimura Holds the Second Japan-U.S. Commercial and Industrial Partnership (JUCIP) Ministerial Meeting with H.E. Ms. Gina M, Raimondo, United States Secretary of Commerce (May 27, 2023)

(10) Meeting with Mr. Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Trade and Industry, Singapore

Japan and Singapore, as countries advancing close collaboration in regional integration efforts, confirmed cooperation in such fields as trade, including IPEF, CPTPP and RCEP, and startups and also held discussions for specific collaboration in the field of energy.

(11) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Jason Smith, Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee, the U.S. House of Representatives

Minister Nishimura exchanged views with Chairman Smith, who is responsible for trade in the U.S. House of Representatives, on trade policies and enhancement of resilient supply chains.

(12) Meeting with H.E. Mr. Airlangga Hartarto, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and H.E. Mr. Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, Minister of Industry, Indonesia

The year 2023 is the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Japan-ASEAN friendship and cooperation. Taking this special year as an opportunity, Minister Nishimura held a meeting with Minister Airlangga and Minister Agus, the ministers responsible for the economy of Indonesia as the 2023 ASEAN chair country. The ministers confirmed collaboration in IPEF, a new economic framework in the ASEAN region, and exchanged views on cooperation to enrich future Japan-ASEAN economic ties.

Divisions in Charge

• APEC Office, Trade Policy Bureau
• Economic Partnership Division, Trade Policy Bureau