Tokyo/Washington: China is trying to use its economic might to bring about political and other changes in other countries. US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel assured that the United States would focus on strengthening trade cooperation with like-minded countries, including Japan, on countering these Chinese activities. Emanuel also explained that the United States would focus on increasing the partnership with Japan in the three sectors of chips, batteries and energy. Last week, Japanese Foreign Affairs and Trade ministers visited the United States. It was announced in this meeting that a consensus was reached on cooperation in the field of semiconductors.
In the past few years, China has used its economic and trade might to intervene in Asia, Africa, Latin America and European countries. From the Coronavirus pandemic to the issue of Taiwan, China has been continuously pressurising the countries that have taken a stand against the ruling communist regime in China. In this, China is using many methods, from stopping exports to cancelling contracts. Against this, the European countries, the United States, and the leading Asian-Pacific countries are trying to unite to contain China. For this, emphasis is being placed on strengthening economic and trade cooperation and the US ambassador also highlighted the same issue.
Emanuel said ‘Many examples of Chinese attempts at political change or other forms of interference through intellectual property theft, aggression, debt defaults, etc. have been exposed worldwide. Every country in every corner of the world seems to be waking up to this point now. European and Southeast Asian countries, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia, have experienced Chinese activities.’ He also pointed out that many countries, including Japan, are constantly raising the issue of growing Chinese bullying. The US ambassador claimed that Japan had taken the initiative on the defence front to deter China and economic and trade cooperation is also an important step in the strategic partnership.
Furthermore, Emanuel pointed out that electric car batteries, modular nuclear reactors, semiconductors, aerospace technology and energy partnerships are indicative of growing trade cooperation between the United States and Japan. 
He explained that while working as the Ambassador of the United States, he emphasises more especially on this cooperation.
Last week, a high-level delegation, including the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Japan, visited the United States. During this visit, it was announced to set up a joint research centre for ‘Next Generation Semiconductors’. At the same time, the US and Japanese companies will start production of semiconductors in Japan and for this, Japan will invest $700 million. Japan’s leading company ‘Panasonic’ has also announced to set up a new factory for electric car batteries in the United States.
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