Tokyo. The G7 industrial powers called on Sunday for the “immediate repeal” of restrictions on imports of Japanese food products, a reference to the blockade imposed by China after Japan began disposing of wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear plant.
G7 trade ministers did not mention China in a statement after their weekend meeting in Osaka, but they also condemned what they see as increasing economic coercion through trade.
“We deplore the actions aimed at militarizing economic dependencies and commit to building on free, fair and mutually beneficial economic and trade relations,” the 10-page statement said.
China broadly suspended imports of Japanese fish two months ago, when Japan began disposing of radioactive treated water from the damaged Fukushima plant in the Pacific Ocean. While Japan and the United States described the restrictions as unfair, Russia announced similar restrictions earlier this month.
In response, China described the G7 move as “economic coercion” and urged the G7 not to “stubbornly adhere to double standards” but to take practical measures to preserve the normal order of international trade and investment.
“G7 members are undermining the level playing field and disrupting the security and stability of global production and supply chains,” the Chinese Embassy in Japan announced late Sunday.
The G7 – the United States, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Canada – also expressed “concern” about recent control measures on the export of vital minerals.
Regulating artificial intelligence
On the other hand, the G7 will agree, on Monday, on a code of conduct for companies working to develop advanced artificial intelligence systems, according to a document, at a time when governments are trying to mitigate the risks and potential misuse of this technology.
The voluntary code of conduct will mark a milestone in how major countries regulate artificial intelligence, amid concerns about privacy and security risks, according to the document seen by Reuters.
