The Japanese and British governments will hold the 'Economic Edition 2+2' meeting, a consultative body for foreign and economic leaders. While the world is in turmoil due to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariff bomb, it is expected that a solution to this will be discussed.

The Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) reported on the 6th that the two governments will hold their first meeting in Tokyo, Japan on the 7th. Japan's Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yoji Muto will attend, while the UK's Foreign Minister David Lammy and Trade Minister Jonathan Reynolds will attend.

The U.K. is the second country after the U.S. in 2022 that Japan has created an "economic plate 2+2" consultative body. For England, Japan is the first opponent.

At this meeting, the two countries are expected to discuss ways to respond to President Trump's tariff policy along with securing supply chains for important goods. "Japan and Britain have not been subject to specific additional U.S. tariffs at this point, but are busy trying to avoid them," Nikkei reported. In fact, Muto plans to visit the U.S. next week to negotiate to exclude Japanese cars and steel products from tariff measures. Earlier, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reached an agreement to discuss a trade agreement to avoid tariffs during a summit with President Trump last month.

Both Japan and the United Kingdom will reaffirm the ideologies of "free and fair trade" and "fair competitive conditions and balanced economic relations" that have been emphasized in the G7 countries. It draws a line on protectionist movements. "Competition in advanced fields such as artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computers, and bio is intensifying in each country, including China," Nikkei said. "Both Japan and Britain are discussing innovation through technology alliances." At the same time, the two countries are expected to exchange memorandums of cooperation regarding offshore wind power generation to supply renewable energy. It is also expected to discuss the issue of Ukraine, which Russia has invaded.

[Tokyo correspondent Lee Seunghoon]