What’s on G7 agenda? China, China and China

Hiroshima, a top US official announced that on Saturday, the G7 countries will reach an agreement on a “common set of tools” to address economic coercion and mitigate the risks posed by high-tech exports to China that could undermine national security.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated that the measures will primarily focus on establishing more resilient supply chains for G7 nations, many of which heavily rely on China in certain sectors. The agreement will also include steps to safeguard sensitive technology through export controls and outbound investment measures.

In recent months, the United States has been leading an assertive effort to limit China’s access to advanced chip-manufacturing tools, citing national security concerns. The US has been urging Japan and the Netherlands to take similar actions.

Sullivan highlighted that previous differences between the US and European Union (EU) countries regarding their approaches to China have largely diminished. The common strategy will prioritize the protection of Western powers while avoiding direct confrontation with China.

Sullivan explained that the G7 leaders will outline a comprehensive set of tools to address concerns shared by each country, particularly related to economic coercion. He assured that the language concerning China will be straightforward and not hostile, emphasizing the desire for stable relations and collaboration on mutual interests. Sullivan acknowledged that while the concerns will be outlined, they are already well-known to China.

He also mentioned that intense diplomatic efforts since President Joe Biden assumed office in January 2021 have led to G7 alignment on the issue. However, Sullivan emphasized that the approach to China is not simplistic or one-dimensional, but rather a multifaceted and complex policy due to the importance of the relationship with China.

A European Union official expressed readiness for cooperation and assessing risks related to strategic issues involving China. The official noted that all G7 leaders aim to address China’s systematic policies in acquiring critical resources and controlling supply chains through diversification.

A French diplomatic source added that cohesion among G7 members in China has significantly improved. The source stressed that there is no situation where the US pursues an aggressive policy towards China while others attempt to counter it.