Who would have thought that one man could prompt three of Asia’s most notorious rivals (and neighbors) to negotiate a deal and shake hands? The spring of 2025 has been rich in surprises in the international cooperation arena, one such event being the historical meeting between China, Japan, and South Korea when these Asian neighbors agreed to boost trade cooperation during a meeting in Seoul in early April. The three countries plan to expand cooperation in the fields of sustainable development, health, science and technology, and disaster management, as well as facilitating exchanges between the people of the region amid concerns over U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs. We asked several experts to share their opinions on the opportunities they foresee for these three countries to jointly shape the future of international development, particularly in Asia and Africa. Check out their insights below.
Key Takeaways:
- China, Japan, and South Korea have agreed to jointly respond to the U.S. tariffs and promote free trade among themselves.
- According to experts, this trilateral cooperation could prompt integrated initiatives in key areas such as education, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and the digital transition.
- Furthermore, the agreement could serve as the foundation for further regional integration, establishing Asia as a more independent participant in international trade with less dependence on the U.S. and other Western economies.
- To overcome barriers, experts suggest neutral technical platforms that focus on concrete development projects and avoid sensitive issues.
- The agreement could deliver a new benchmark for South-South development that is more efficient, technologically advanced, and respectful of local sovereignty.
DevelopmentAid: What opportunities do you see for Japan, China, and South Korea to jointly shape the future of international development, particularly in Asia and Africa?
“Japan, China, and South Korea have complementary strengths that enable them to jointly shape the future of international development, particularly in Asia and Africa. China excels in large-scale infrastructure, Japan is recognized for the quality and sustainability of its projects, while South Korea is at the forefront of technological and digital innovation. Together, they can launch integrated initiatives in key areas such as education, agriculture, infrastructure, energy, and the digital transition. A concrete example would be the creation of a smart agro-industrial zone in Africa, for example, in Gabon or Côte d’Ivoire. China would build basic infrastructure (roads, irrigation, warehouses), Japan would introduce sustainable agricultural technologies and quality standards, while South Korea would deploy digital tools (agricultural apps, e-commerce platforms). Such activities would increase productivity, create jobs, and strengthen local capacities while ensuring sustainable development. The trilateral cooperation sends a strong signal of Asian unity in the service of balanced co-development, providing a credible alternative to Western models. It is a strategic lever with which to strengthen regional stability and build long-term win-win partnerships.”
“During their first economic meeting in five years in early April, China, Japan, and South Korea decided to strengthen trade cooperation, indicating a move toward regional unity in the face of U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade tariffs. By decreasing reliance on foreign markets and lessening the effects of the tariffs, this agreement offers the three nations the chance to improve free trade in East Asia. They can build a more robust regional supply chain and promote economic growth by strengthening their economic ties. Furthermore, this collaboration could provide a foundation for further regional integration, establishing Asia as a more independent participant in international trade with less dependence on the U.S. and other Western economies.”
“Applauding this timely trilateral effort, a partnership will thrive when each voice shapes the journey. Collaborating across cultures, as defined by those of China, South Korea, and Japan, calls for subtle and careful readings. Each initiative will reflect not only who leads it, but also the territory and the dynamics in which it takes shape. These countries bring complementary talents that may either engage in dialogue or quietly challenge each other, depending on the context. China is remarkable for its ability to craft and implement long-term visions. South Korea stands out for its collective willingness to embrace and manage profound transformations. Japan, in turn, elevates both processes and outcomes through its relentless pursuit of excellence. In global contexts — such as Africa’s rapidly expanding cities or Asian regions still seeking greater harmony between rural and urban realities — such collaborations take on special meaning. Rather than replicating models, the real value lies in activating innovative methodologies that help to unlock and make possible synergies from the outset. As an urban architect and creator of URBAN MENUS — a best practice for accelerating resilience in complex contexts — I envision these trilateral encounters gaining true depth when locals, visitors and global partners learn how to weave the game together from the very first move.”
“There was no magic in successful economic development in East Asia. They started without any significant resource endowment, but tried hard to maintain macroeconomic balance to make growth sustainable, being especially careful about BOP and reserve issues so as to maintain economic independence. In recent years, supply shocks in the semiconductor and energy have tested the resilience of developing economies. Resource-rich economies could endure high oil prices or even benefit from this. The have-nots, meanwhile, could survive the disturbances, as Japan did during the oil shocks in the 1970s. Another serious issue of today, the U.S. trade barrier, may not necessarily be a curse. It was when Japan reduced the export car volume in response to U.S. Trade Act 201 in 1980s that Toyota, Honda, Nissan and others eventually increased their profits and added respective brand value.”
DevelopmentAid: Given their differing aid perspectives and geopolitical tensions, what are the biggest challenges to a coordinated trilateral approach and how can they be avoided?
“The establishment of trilateral cooperation between Japan, China, and South Korea faces several major obstacles. Firstly, geopolitical and historical tensions persist with territorial disagreements, colonial memories, and strategic rivalries (notably Japan and Korea’s alignment with the United States) fueling mutual distrust. Secondly, their aid philosophies diverge whereby China offers rapid, unconditional aid focused on infrastructure, while Japan and Korea prioritize transparency, governance, and sustainability. Finally, they often compete economically in the same markets in Asia and Africa. To overcome these challenges, it is possible to create neutral technical platforms that are focused on concrete development projects and avoid sensitive issues. A consensus around common minimum standards (quality, local impact) would allow for the harmonization of approaches while preserving flexibility. Finally, cooperation could begin in non-competitive sectors with strong synergies, such as sustainable agriculture, health, or training. This gradual approach would allow for the establishment of trust, the testing of a pragmatic Asian partnership model, and the proposal of a credible alternative to the Western cooperation model.”
DevelopmentAid: Could a Japan–China–Korea cooperation model serve as an alternative to Western-led development models, especially for countries seeking infrastructure and digital transformation?
“A cooperation model between Japan, China, and South Korea could offer a compelling alternative to Western development models, particularly for countries seeking infrastructure and digital transformation. This Asian model is distinguished by a pragmatic and results-oriented approach, unlike the Western model, which is often perceived as slower and conditional on political or institutional reforms. Thus, it could make it possible to introduce turnkey projects that can be deployed more quickly and have a strong, visible impact on the ground (energy, connected agriculture, digital health, etc.). Unlike Western top-down approaches, this model focuses on more egalitarian cooperation, adapted to local realities. However, it must avoid certain pitfalls such as excessive debt or a lack of transparency. In short, this trilateral partnership, if well structured, could become a new benchmark for South-South development that is more efficient, technologically advanced, and respectful of local sovereignty.”
See also: The impact of Trump’s tariffs on the global trade, economy, and U.S. businesses | Experts’ Opinions
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