Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said the United States shared concerns of interest central to foreign and economic policy with Japan.
Speaking at the U.S.-Japan Economic Policy Consultative Committee, the Raimondo also offered her condolences for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, according to a July 29 news release of her remarks.
“I could not agree more with you, Minister Hayashi, that the international rules-based order that the United States and Japan, along with our friends and allies, built is being challenged, which means it’s incumbent upon us to strengthen our tie and step up to ensure that they cannot challenge this rules-based order,” Raimondo said in the release. “And I would suggest convenings of this kind are more important than ever, so thank you for enduring the long flight to be here with us.”
She said the two nations have a number of similar initiatives aimed at the same goal, including the U.S.-Japan Commercial and Industrial Partnership to cooperate on the promotion of competitiveness and innovation launched with Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Hagiuda Koichi, the release reported.
Her visit marked the first time they convened an "economic 2+2 to discuss shared concerns of interests that are central to foreign and economic policy," Raimondo added, according to the release.
“Our shared interests make it imperative for us to continue leveraging dialogues like this, like the 2+2, like the JUCIP, like the supply chain, like the [Indo-Pacific Economic Framework], to figure out concrete joint solutions for promoting economic growth, economic security that will also help us address the threats to the global economic order and enhance economic security and resilience,” Raimondo said in the release. "I’m excited to have a productive discussion today.”
