ISTANBUL
Japan and Britain agreed Friday to promote free and open international trade amid concerns about US President Donald Trump's threats of tariffs against major trading partners, Kyodo News reported.
The agreement comes after Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Yoji Muto met with their British counterparts in Tokyo, David Lammy and Jonathan Reynolds.
During the first "two-plus-two" economic dialogue between the two countries, the ministers confirmed their commitment to collaborate on addressing energy and security challenges.
"Sharing fundamental values, Japan and Britain will continue to act together to uphold and reinforce the free, fair and rules-based international economic order," said Iwaya.
Britain is the second country Japan has established an economic "two-plus-two" ministerial framework, following the US -- their shared security ally.
The development comes as the Trump administration has imposed 25% tariffs on some goods from Canada and Mexico, and on Tuesday, he doubled an additional tariff on Chinese imports to 20%.