More from the article ...

... The state media comments came after the three countries held their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday, seeking to facilitate regional trade as the Asian export powers brace against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs.

Japan and South Korea are seeking to import semiconductor raw materials from China, and China is also interested in purchasing chip products from Japan and South Korea, the account, Yuyuan Tantian, linked to China Central Television, said in a post on Weibo.

All three sides agreed to strengthen supply chain cooperation and engage in more dialogue on export controls, the post said.

When asked about the report, a spokesperson for South Korea's trade ministry said "the suggestion that there was a joint response to U.S. tariffs appears to have been somewhat exaggerated," and referred to the text of the countries' joint statement. ...

@#1 ... the suggestion that there was a joint response to U.S. tariffs appears to have been somewhat exaggerated," ...

"somewhat exaggerated"

But not denied.

Hmmmm...

So, the Trump tariffs may be pushing our long-term allies, Japan and South Korea, towards China?

My guess would be that Pres Xi is elated at Pres Trump's apparent short-term transactional "Let's Make A Deal" approach to international relations.

@#3 ... So, the Trump tariffs may be pushing our long-term allies, Japan and South Korea, towards China? ...

With all the recent pivoting of the Trump admin against China, it surprises me that the Trump admin would seem to be actively pushing our strong and long-term allies towards China.