Following a recent meeting of heads of state in Washington, the U.S. and Japan issued a joint statement pledging closer cooperation on ensuring the security of global supply chains. Stating that “there is an urgent need to better address manmade and natural disruptions which could adversely impact our security, economic prosperity, and ways of life” while also facilitating trade, the two countries said they intend to take the following bilateral actions.
• enhance the trade facilitation benefits provided to members of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism and Japan’s authorized economic operator program
• accelerate discussions on an air cargo security mutual recognition arrangement
• coordinate capacity•building in the Asia•Pacific region to strengthen border, port, maritime and aviation security, within existing resources
• support the development and deployment of new technologies to enhance global supply chain security
• pursue joint counterproliferation investigations through relevant law enforcement agencies
• promote dialogue, information exchange and sharing of best practices between public and private sectors
The joint statement also commits the U.S. and Japan to multilateral efforts within the World Customs Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, the Universal Postal Union and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum on global supply chain issues, including the following.
• supporting the development and maintenance of risk management guidelines
• assisting in the development of robust global pre•departure information requirements in alignment with the discussions on the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards
• developing common definitions, standards and recommended practices for high-risk air cargo
• actively reporting shipping information and intelligence through the WCO’s Global Shield program and facilitating the expansion of regional participation in this program
• advancing the development of AEO programs consistent with the WCO SAFE Framework of Standards
• guiding the establishment of international standards for trade recovery collaboration and information requirements
