00:00China, Japan and South Korea held the first trade talks in five years on Sunday amid concerns
00:07over U.S. President Donald Trump's import tariffs. The three Asian manufacturing giants
00:12agreed to, quote, closely cooperate for a comprehensive and high-level talks to improve
00:17free trade in the region. That's according to a statement released after the meeting.
00:22Trade ministers from the three nations met ahead of Trump's planned announcement on Wednesday
00:26of more tariffs in what he calls, quote, Liberation Day. Last week, Trump announced
00:3225 percent import tariffs on cars and auto parts, a move that may hurt companies, especially
00:38Asian automakers, which are among the largest vehicle exporters to the U.S.
00:43Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo are major U.S. trading partners, although they have been at loggerheads
00:49among themselves. Disagreements over issues, including territorial disputes, have prevented
00:54them from making any substantial progress on a trilateral free trade deal since starting
00:59talks in 2012. The ministers agreed to hold their next ministerial meeting in Japan.
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