EU and Japan hold first working group to discuss economic security and supply chains

This represents a success of the increasingly closer cooperation between the EU and Japan, aimed at creating synergies on their respective approaches to economic security.

Key objectives of the Working Group will be to reinforce the ongoing multilateral efforts to ensure a level playing field by regulating state intervention in support of industrial sectors. The Group will also discuss trade strategies aimed at diversifying supplies in areas at risk of economic dependencies and developing more sustainable and resilient supply chains.

The Working Group builds up on the discussions that took place at the High-Level Economic Dialogue in October 2023, between Commission Executive Vice-President and Commissioner for Trade Valdis Dombrovskis, Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yōko Kamikawa, and the then Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Nishimura Yasutoshi.

The newly established Working Group is especially relevant in light of the recent publication of the European Economic Security Strategy package, seeking further synergies with like-minded partners such as Japan on tools such as anti-coercion instruments, export controls and investment screening.