Japan and Australia as Indo-Pacific middle powers focus on minilateralism to enhance regional cooperation in economics and security, addressing challenges from major powers.
The Role of Japan and Australia in Minilateralism
Japan and Australia, as important middle powers in the Indo-Pacific region, are focusing on minilateralism to enhance regional cooperation in economics and security. They aim to counter coercive economic practices by major powers like China by building minilateral institutions. These countries are actively participating in security minilateral initiatives like the Quad and AUKUS, while also expanding their focus to geoeconomic initiatives through partnerships like the Trilateral Infrastructure Partnership.
Challenges in the Indo-Pacific Region
The economics-security nexus is crucial in addressing geoeconomic challenges in the region, where economic tools are used for strategic purposes. Japan and Australia are working together to prevent coercive economic practices that aim to influence and shape the regional economic order. While they have been more involved in security minilateralism, there is a growing emphasis on tackling geoeconomic challenges through nimble and adaptable minilateral approaches.