German Chancellor Friedrich Merz met with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in Tokyo on Wednesday, with the two agreeing to bolster cooperation on economic security and advanced technologies during Merz’s first visit to Japan since taking office last May. Noting the rapid pace of technological innovation and “escalating concerns over economic coercion profoundly shaping global security and prosperity,” Takaichi and Merz released joint declarations on economic security and advanced tech intended to guide relations forward on these issues. The two sides, which did not directly mention China or the United States in their joint statement or other declarations, appeared to offer implicit criticism of both Beijing and Washington, which have both wielded their economic policies as cudgels against partners and rivals alike.
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