Inaugural 2+2 Economic Policy Ministerial Underway Shortly

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will shortly welcome their Japanese counterparts at the Department of State for a 2+2 ministerial session - the US-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee [EPCC].

• According to the State Department, the ministerial will "drive bilateral economic cooperation to strengthen the rules-based economic order in the Indo-Pacific region and the world."
• The ministerial comes amidst a backdrop of evolving legislation in Japan and the US to diversify supply chains and limit dependence on China.
• According to the Diplomat: "Building up the effectiveness of a Japan-U.S. Economic 2+2 over the long term is more important than any immediate deliverable."
• The agenda will focus on domestic manufacturing of critical technologies, building robust energy supply chains, and countering what Washington and Tokyo believe are malign Chinese behaviours like leveraging debt to pursue geopolitical goals and corporate espionage.
• The session will begin with opening remarks at 09:00ET/14:00BST, then Blinken and Raimondo will deliver a joint presser at 12:00ET/17:00BST. Both will be available to stream at: www.youtube.com/statedept
• The Japanese delegation will be headed by Japanese Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry Haguida Koichi.
• At 13:00ET/18:00BST Blinken and Yoshimasa will hold a working lunch.
• State Department Spokesperson Ned Price will deliver a presser at 14:00ET/19:00.