• Bipartisan House members introduced resolution December 22 condemning China’s coercive actions against Japan
• Lawmakers urge President Trump to work with Indo-Pacific allies to counter Beijing’s economic and diplomatic practices
• Resolution follows diplomatic crisis sparked by Prime Minister Takaichi’s November remarks on Taiwan contingency

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TDR) — Bipartisan members of the US House of Representatives introduced a resolution on Dec. 22 condemning China’s coercive actions against Japan and urging President Donald Trump to counter Beijing’s economic and military practices following a diplomatic crisis sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan.

House Resolution Targets Beijing’s Pressure Tactics

The draft resolution, submitted by Republican Representative Young Kim, who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s East Asia and Pacific Subcommittee, and Democratic Representative Ami Bera, condemns what lawmakers describe as China’s dangerous response to Japan’s legitimate policy discussions. The measure calls on China to cease coercive actions including travel warnings for Chinese citizens, suspension of Japanese seafood imports, and military provocations near Japanese territory.

“While urging China to cease its coercive actions, the draft urged U.S. President Donald Trump to work with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region to counter [China’s] coercive economic and diplomatic practices.”

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The resolution also affirms the Japanese government’s right to express views on matters of regional and international concern without fear of economic or military coercion. Representatives Bera and Gregory Meeks previously sent a letter to Trump seeking stronger support for Japan, noting that Beijing’s actions threaten Japan’s economic stability and undermine broader security interests across the Indo-Pacific region.

Taiwan Remarks Sparked Diplomatic Crisis

The congressional action responds to escalating tensions between Asia’s two largest economies that erupted in November. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told Japanese lawmakers on Nov. 7 that a Chinese attack on Taiwan involving military vessels could constitute an existential threat to Japan, potentially triggering Tokyo’s right to collective self-defense under the country’s 2015 security legislation.

Beijing swiftly condemned Takaichi’s statements as interference in China’s internal affairs and a violation of the one-China principle. Chinese Consul General in Osaka Xue Jian posted inflammatory remarks on social media, prompting Japan to lodge formal protests. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded Takaichi retract her comments and warned of strong countermeasures if Japan refused.

“The erroneous remarks made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan have fundamentally eroded the political foundation of China-Japan relations and triggered strong outrage and condemnation from the Chinese people.”

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Takaichi has refused to withdraw her statements, arguing they align with Japan’s longstanding security position. Japanese officials maintain that discussing potential scenarios falls within legitimate defense planning, particularly given China’s increased military activity around Taiwan and near Japanese territory.

China Deploys Economic Pressure Campaign

In response to Takaichi’s remarks, China reimposed a complete ban on Japanese seafood imports in November, reversing a partial lifting of restrictions that had been in place since 2023. Beijing cited safety concerns related to treated wastewater releases from the Fukushima nuclear plant, though the timing clearly linked the action to the diplomatic dispute.

The Chinese government also issued travel warnings advising citizens to reconsider trips to Japan, citing safety risks. Major Chinese airlines offered free ticket changes for Japan-bound passengers, leading to an estimated 500,000 flight cancellations. Tourism data revealed Chinese arrivals in Japan dropped from 716,700 in October to 562,600 in November, resulting in approximately $367 million in economic losses.

China additionally postponed releases of Japanese films in Chinese theaters and canceled at least 30 concerts and entertainment events featuring Japanese performers. Chinese coast guard vessels repeatedly entered waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands, which Japan administers but China claims as the Diaoyu Islands.

Senate Passes Similar Resolution

The House resolution follows similar action in the Senate, where Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced their own measure on Dec. 17 expressing unwavering support for the US-Japan alliance. That resolution, co-sponsored by Senator Bill Hagerty (R-TN) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), similarly condemned Beijing’s economic, military and diplomatic coercion.

“The United States will always stand strong with Japan. Since 1951, our alliance has served as the cornerstone of peace, security, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.”

Both congressional resolutions affirm that Article 5 of the Japan-US Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security applies to the Senkaku Islands, committing the United States to defend Japanese-administered territories. The measures also commend Japan’s efforts to manage tensions despite what lawmakers characterize as China’s continuous provocations.

Trump Administration Response Remains Measured

While Congress has taken strong stances supporting Japan, the Trump administration has maintained a relatively measured public response. US Ambassador to Japan George Edward Glass called China’s seafood ban economic coercion on Nov. 20 and reaffirmed American defense commitments, including protection of the Senkaku Islands.

However, higher-ranking administration officials have largely refrained from extensive public statements on the dispute. The congressional resolutions aim to push Trump toward more active engagement with allies to counter what lawmakers view as Beijing’s pattern of using economic leverage to achieve political objectives.

Representatives Bera and Meeks emphasized in their earlier letter that China has deployed similar coercive tactics against South Korea following THAAD missile defense deployment, against Lithuania after it expanded ties with Taiwan, and against Australia when it called for COVID-19 origin investigations.

Will congressional pressure push the Trump administration toward stronger action against China’s economic coercion of democratic allies in the Pacific?

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