PARIS - Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi conveyed to his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday Tokyo's strong concern about a European Union plan to favor European-made electric vehicles, according to the Japanese government.
Motegi and Barrot, who met on the sidelines of a Group of Seven foreign ministers' meeting in Paris, confirmed that they will continue close discussions on the matter, the government said.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi expressed the same concern to French President Emmanuel Macron during their phone talks last week.
The European Union is considering preferential treatment for EVs produced within the bloc as part of its efforts to protect strategic sectors, including EVs, amid a push by Chinese automakers in the European market.
The French and German governments said in a joint statement on Oct. 16 that vehicles manufactured in Japan should not be eligible for the envisioned incentive framework in EU legislation.
During their talks, Motegi and Barrot also pledged coordination between the two countries over Indo-Pacific affairs, including North Korea's nuclear weapons and missile programs, as well as Russia's war against Ukraine, the government said.
