Seoul, Beijing and Tokyo are major U.S. trading partners, although they have been at loggerheads among themselves over issues, including territorial disputes.

Industry ministers from Japan, China, and South Korea have returned to the idea of free trade between their countries. This comes just days before the US is expected to introduce new tariffs worldwide,

The trade chiefs of China, Japan, and South Korea met on Sunday to discuss boosting trade cooperation as US President Donald Trump's tariff war has sent shockwaves worldwide. Held in the South Korean capital Seoul, it was their first trilateral ministerial meeting in nearly six years, according to Yonhap News.