UK and Japan Target China with Economic Security Pact as Fighter Jet Funding Stalls

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Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on June 14, issuing a joint declaration to strengthen cooperation on economic security—with China's economic coercion and export restrictions on rare earths and other critical minerals firmly in mind.

Critical Minerals, AI, and Iran

Takaichi expressed her intention to elevate the Japan-UK relationship, which she characterizes as a "quasi-alliance," to an even higher level.

Following the summit, both leaders attended a Business Roundtable with Japanese and British business representatives, where Takaichi said: "We will lead the G7 discussion in areas such as energy security and the strengthening of critical mineral supply chains."

The joint declaration explicitly states that both governments "express grave concerns regarding economic coercion and arbitrary export restrictions, including on critical minerals, that destabilise global supply chains and undermine economic security and resilience."

The two sides also established a Japan-UK Frontier Technology Partnership to advance cooperation in advanced technology fields including AI. They further agreed to continue diplomatic efforts toward early de-escalation of the situation in Iran—including ensuring safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz—and to coordinate on support for Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression.

Political Reassurance Without Financial Commitment

On the joint next-generation fighter development program, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) involving Japan, the UK, and Italy, Starmer told the Business Roundtable that he had confirmed the two countries' shared commitment to the project, describing it as central to the bilateral relationship.

Concerns about delays had been growing on the Japanese side as the UK has struggled financially to develop a long-term defense investment plan.

Just days earlier, on June 11, UK Defense Secretary John Healey resigned in protest, stating that the Defense Investment Plan was inadequate. The plan was originally scheduled for release in late 2025 but has been significantly delayed due to a deepening budget dispute between the Ministry of Defense and the Treasury.

The UK has set a target to raise defense spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2035, in response to President Donald Trump's criticism that European nations are underspending on defense.

According to Healey, however, the plan's budget makes that target extremely difficult to achieve. The episode sparked criticism of Starmer from both ruling and opposition parties for passivity and lack of leadership—making GCAP a politically convenient banner for him to rally behind at the summit.

The first international contract signed under GCAP in April expires at the end of June. Both leaders agreed to support the conclusion of a new contract by that deadline. However, there was no commitment from the UK side on financial contributions, and it remains unclear whether the new contract will be a full long-term agreement or another short-term arrangement.