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Recommendation on the changing geopolitical situation in East Asia and the need for closer cooperation with like-minded partners in the region

TA-10-2026-0246 · P10_TA(2026)0246 · PE776.904

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Parliament recommends closer EU cooperation with like-minded East Asian partners, notably Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, to uphold the rules-based order, maritime security and economic security. It urges deepening security and defence partnerships, including defence-industrial cooperation, and addressing challenges from China, North Korea and Russia. It calls for a structured EU-Taiwan framework, stronger trade ties, and support for Taiwan's participation in international bodies. It also stresses cooperation on supply chains, digital issues, climate, and people-to-people links, and asks for contingency planning against escalation.

Key points

  1. Intensify EU strategic focus, presence and cooperation with East Asia, avoiding bloc confrontation and promoting democracy, rule of law and international law.
  2. Strengthen strategic foresight and contingency planning with East Asian partners to coordinate deterrence and discourage unilateral changes to the status quo.
  3. Deepen cooperation with Japan, South Korea and Taiwan on economic coercion, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, maritime security and emerging defence technologies.
  4. Facilitate military-industrial cooperation and security partnerships focusing on interoperability, joint development and procurement of defence technology.
  5. Advance EU-Japan Security and Defence Partnership and Competitiveness Alliance, and EU-Republic of Korea Security and Defence Partnership with a joint defence industry dialogue.
  6. Address Russia's cooperation with North Korea, including nuclear and ballistic support, and call on North Korea to cease provocations and denuclearise.
  7. Establish a structured EU-Taiwan cooperation framework covering trade, critical technologies, supply chains, cybersecurity and maritime security.
  8. Reject coercive change of Taiwan Strait status quo, develop contingency plans including for a naval blockade, and ensure freedom of navigation.
  9. Use EU economic security instruments like the Anti-Coercion Instrument and coordinate export controls to deter economic coercion.
  10. Negotiate trilateral or quadrilateral agreements on digital partnerships, AI, semiconductors, and defence technology with like-minded partners.
  11. Fully implement trade agreements with Japan and South Korea, including labour and sustainable development chapters, and foster SME cooperation.
  12. Increase engagement in the Indo-Pacific, support NATO IP4, and strengthen cooperation with ASEAN and regional security initiatives.

Who is affected

  • Japan, South Korea and Taiwan: EU seeks deeper security, economic and digital cooperation with them.
  • China: EU will engage pragmatically but coordinate with partners on security issues and deter coercion.
  • North Korea: EU calls for denuclearisation, end to provocations and compliance with UN resolutions.
  • ASEAN and its member states: EU aims to intensify structured engagement and security dialogues.
  • Overseas countries and territories: to serve as platforms for cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

Figures and deadlines

  • Japan and EU together account for almost 25 % of global GDP.
  • Japan has provided and pledged over USD 20 billion to Ukraine since 2022.
  • Taiwan produces around 50 % of the world's semiconductor output.

Legal basis: Title V of the Treaty on European Union