The Group of Seven (G7) industrial powers have&nbsp;called for an "immediate repeal" of restrictions on Japanese food product imports.&nbsp;The move comes as a clear reference to China's measures following Japan's decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. &nbsp;

During a weekend meeting in Osaka, the G7 trade ministers issued a statement expressing their disapproval of actions that exploit economic dependencies and committed to fostering "free, fair, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationships." The statement, which does not specifically mention China, underscores growing concerns throughout the world about what the G7 views as increased economic coercion through trade.

China had previously imposed a comprehensive ban on Japanese fish imports two months ago when Japan commenced the release of treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima facility into the Pacific Ocean. Both Japan and the United States have criticised these restrictions as unfair, and Russia similarly imposed a comparable ban earlier this month. &nbsp;

In response, China has characterised the G7's actions as "economic coercion" and urged the group not to adhere to double standards but to take practical measures to preserve normal international trade and investment patterns. The Chinese embassy in Japan expressed concerns that G7 members' actions disrupt global production and supply chains' security and stability.&nbsp;

Other economic concerns&nbsp;

The G7, composed of the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Canada, also voiced concerns about recent measures to control the export of critical minerals. China, the world's leading graphite producer, announced export restrictions on this crucial material, which is extensively used in electric vehicle batteries. This move was seen as an attempt to bolster control over the supply of critical minerals, as China faces challenges to its global manufacturing dominance.&nbsp;

The G7 trade ministers emphasised the necessity to reduce dependence on any single country for critical resources and underscored the importance of building dependable supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, and batteries.&nbsp;

The ministers also reaffirmed their worries about various non-market policies, including what they characterised as "pervasive, opaque, and trade-distortive industrial subsidies" and the forced transfer of technology. While there was no mention of the West Asia crisis during the trade ministers' meeting, the group did express their commitment to raising awareness about the challenges associated with moving humanitarian goods across international borders during natural disasters and emergencies.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Recent events in West Asia have raised concerns and calls for a ceasefire to facilitate aid delivery to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Western nations have generally supported Israel's right to self-defence but are increasingly concerned about the impact of the conflict and the need for humanitarian aid.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

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The Group of Seven (G7) industrial powers have called for an "immediate repeal" of restrictions on Japanese food product imports. The move comes as a clear reference to China's measures following Japan's decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant.

The Group of Seven (G7) industrial powers have called for an "immediate repeal" of restrictions on Japanese food product imports. The move comes as a clear reference to China's measures following Japan's decision to release treated wastewater from the Fukushima nuclear power plant. During a weekend meeting in Osaka, the G7 trade ministers issued a statement expressing their disapproval of actions that exploit economic dependencies and committed to fostering "free, fair, and mutually beneficial economic and trade relationships." The statement, which does not specifically mention China, underscores growing concerns throughout the world about what the G7 views as increased economic coercion through trade. China had previously imposed a comprehensive ban on Japanese fish imports two months ago when Japan commenced the release of treated radioactive water from the damaged Fukushima facility into the Pacific Ocean. Both Japan and the United States have criticised these restrictions as unfair, and Russia similarly imposed a comparable ban earlier this month. In response, China has characterised the G7's actions as "economic coercion" and urged the group not to adhere to double standards but to take practical measures to preserve normal international trade and investment patterns. The Chinese embassy in Japan expressed concerns that G7 members' actions disrupt global production and supply chains' security and stability. Other economic concerns The G7, composed of the United States, Japan, Germany, Britain, France, Italy, and Canada, also voiced concerns about recent measures to control the export of critical minerals. China, the world's leading graphite producer, announced export restrictions on this crucial material, which is extensively used in electric vehicle batteries. This move was seen as an attempt to bolster control over the supply of critical minerals, as China faces challenges to its global manufacturing dominance. The G7 trade ministers emphasised the necessity to reduce dependence on any single country for critical resources and underscored the importance of building dependable supply chains for critical minerals, semiconductors, and batteries. The ministers also reaffirmed their worries about various non-market policies, including what they characterised as "pervasive, opaque, and trade-distortive industrial subsidies" and the forced transfer of technology. While there was no mention of the West Asia crisis during the trade ministers' meeting, the group did express their commitment to raising awareness about the challenges associated with moving humanitarian goods across international borders during natural disasters and emergencies. Recent events in West Asia have raised concerns and calls for a ceasefire to facilitate aid delivery to Palestinian civilians in Gaza. Western nations have generally supported Israel's right to self-defence but are increasingly concerned about the impact of the conflict and the need for humanitarian aid. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

G7 urges repeal of bans on Japanese food products; China denounces 'economic coercion' 

Ukraine wants to file a complaint with the World Trade Organisation against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia for their restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural exports, according to Ukrainian officials who told Reuters on Monday.

According to a source, the plea might be submitted "in the near future" and came after the three nations surrounding Ukraine decided to restrict imports of many of its main exports.

Earlier on Monday, Ukrainian Trade Representative Taras Kachka was quoted by Politico as indicating in an interview that Kyiv intended to sue the three nations.

Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and other countries were able to apply restrictions in May that prevented the domestic sale of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds while allowing the transit of such cargoes for export to other countries.

Following the executive European Commission's decision not to extend its embargo on imports into Ukraine's five EU neighbours, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary announced their own limitations on the purchase of Ukrainian grain on Friday.

According to Warsaw, Bratislava, and Budapest, such actions are being taken to benefit their local businesses and farmers.

According to Kachka, if Warsaw continued with its extra steps, Ukraine may apply reciprocal restrictions on the import of fruit and vegetables from Poland.

According to Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus, the restriction in Warsaw now extends to meals made from the following cereals: maize, wheat and rapeseed.

The leader of Poland's parliamentary foreign affairs department, Radoslaw Fogiel, was quoted by PAP as stating that Ukraine's plan to suit will "reverberate badly in Poland" and that Ukraine should be aware of this.

"Our decision is not aimed at Ukraine, it is dictated by the protection of the Polish farmer and the protection of Poland's interests," Reuters quoted him as saying.

After Ukraine announced it will take steps to tighten supervision of shipments to neighbouring countries, the EU permitted its ban to expire on Friday.

According to Kachka, Kiev would enact a system of "real time" export licences for grains and was prepared to "take on the responsibility to ensure that export from Ukraine is not creating any tsunami in neighbouring countries."

According to data from the farm ministry, 1.4 million tonnes of farm products from Ukraine, out of a total export volume of 4.5 million tons—left the country by train in the first quarter of the 2023–24 July to June season. Train crossings with Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary are used by Ukraine to transport grain. Additionally, Ukraine transported 1 million tonnes of additional oils and oilseeds by rail.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Ukraine wants to file a complaint with the World Trade Organisation against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia for their restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural exports, according to Ukrainian officials who told Reuters on Monday.

Ukraine wants to file a complaint with the World Trade Organisation against Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia for their restrictions on Ukrainian agricultural exports, according to Ukrainian officials who told Reuters on Monday. According to a source, the plea might be submitted "in the near future" and came after the three nations surrounding Ukraine decided to restrict imports of many of its main exports. Earlier on Monday, Ukrainian Trade Representative Taras Kachka was quoted by Politico as indicating in an interview that Kyiv intended to sue the three nations. Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, and other countries were able to apply restrictions in May that prevented the domestic sale of Ukrainian wheat, maize, rapeseed, and sunflower seeds while allowing the transit of such cargoes for export to other countries. Following the executive European Commission's decision not to extend its embargo on imports into Ukraine's five EU neighbours, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary announced their own limitations on the purchase of Ukrainian grain on Friday. According to Warsaw, Bratislava, and Budapest, such actions are being taken to benefit their local businesses and farmers. According to Kachka, if Warsaw continued with its extra steps, Ukraine may apply reciprocal restrictions on the import of fruit and vegetables from Poland. According to Polish Agriculture Minister Robert Telus, the restriction in Warsaw now extends to meals made from the following cereals: maize, wheat and rapeseed. The leader of Poland's parliamentary foreign affairs department, Radoslaw Fogiel, was quoted by PAP as stating that Ukraine's plan to suit will "reverberate badly in Poland" and that Ukraine should be aware of this. "Our decision is not aimed at Ukraine, it is dictated by the protection of the Polish farmer and the protection of Poland's interests," Reuters quoted him as saying. After Ukraine announced it will take steps to tighten supervision of shipments to neighbouring countries, the EU permitted its ban to expire on Friday. According to Kachka, Kiev would enact a system of "real time" export licences for grains and was prepared to "take on the responsibility to ensure that export from Ukraine is not creating any tsunami in neighbouring countries." According to data from the farm ministry, 1.4 million tonnes of farm products from Ukraine, out of a total export volume of 4.5 million tons—left the country by train in the first quarter of the 2023–24 July to June season. Train crossings with Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary are used by Ukraine to transport grain. Additionally, Ukraine transported 1 million tonnes of additional oils and oilseeds by rail. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Ukraine looking to sue Poland, Hungary, and Slovakia over their bans on food imports

China is set to tighten its scrutiny on Japanese food. Beijing will maintain curbs on some Japanese imports over security concerns. Japan is discharging treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima plant into the sea. The Japanese plan, approved by the UN nuclear watchdog, has faced opposition at home & abroad. Japan insists the released water will be safe & meet global standards.

Why is China planning to ban food imports from Japan?

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