TOKYO: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has called for closer international cooperation to defend rules-based trade, proposing an alliance of countries willing to respond collectively to tariffs and economic pressure.
Merz raised the proposal during a visit to Japan, where he met Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday.
According to Reuters, the German leader advocated stronger coordination among countries seeking predictable trade rules and greater resilience against economic coercion.
Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed that the two leaders agreed to deepen cooperation on economic security, critical minerals, advanced technologies and supply-chain resilience.
The discussions also addressed diversification of critical-mineral supplies and protection of strategically important technologies.
Merz has expressed interest in closer engagement between the European Union and countries belonging to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
China, responding to the initiative, called for Germany and the European Union to maintain a rational approach to trade relations.
The proposal comes amid international tensions over tariffs, export restrictions and industrial competition.
However, no formal new trade alliance has been established, and details of its membership or operating arrangements remain unclear.