The leaders of the G7 (G7) countries meeting at the Hiroshima summit from May 19-21 intend to discuss common concerns about China’s “economic coercion” against other states. On this subject informed Reuters, citing a US official who was aware of preparations for the summit.
According to him, the statement on China should be part of the general communiqué that the leaders of the G7 countries will issue following the meeting in Japan. In it, according to the source, it is intended to fix the will of the “Big Seven” to work together against all “economic coercion”, wherever it comes from.
The US official told Reuters the G7 statement will focus on “economic security” emphasizing “the tools used to counter economic coercive efforts by any country, including planning and coordination.”
Earlier, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said China had used economic coercion against Australia and Lithuania. She made the announcement as she traveled to a meeting with G7 colleagues in Niigata to discuss reducing “overreliance” on Chinese supplies.
The G7, which includes the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom, is economically closely linked to China, the world’s largest exporter and a key market for companies from many of the seven countries. According to Reuters, the upcoming summit will be a test of the ability of G7 states to agree on a common approach to China.
The agency notes that under US President Donald Trump, China-related issues were often touched on only superficially in G7 statements, but his successor Joe Biden’s administration insists on more direct and clear language. At the same time, the annual joint declaration of the leaders of the G7 countries traditionally does not provide for any specific action, but is only called for showing unity in the approach to certain political and economic issues.
In April, Chinese authorities called the G7 foreign ministers’ statement on the global economy “full of arrogance and prejudice against China” and filed a corresponding complaint against Japan, which is hosting the events of the G7 in 2023.
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