Japan's minister of economic revitalisation Ryosei Akazawa is set to meet with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on April 16, as the country begins tariff negotiations with the US. The talks aim to address sweeping duties imposed by President Donald Trump, which have caused market volatility and recession fears.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/japan-set-kick-trump-tariff-talks-washingtonLeaders from Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland will attend a summit with PM Modi, focusing on trade, innovation, green energy, climate change, and the blue economy. Geopolitics is also likely to be discussed, including global peace and security and the Russia-Ukraine war. PM Modi recently spoke with Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, discussing bilateral and global issues, including expanding their Green Strategic Partnership in various fields.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/pm-modi-to-visit-norway-for-india-nordic-summit-in-may-geopolitics-likely-to-be-in-focus-13880381.htmlPrime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump share cordial ties, with billionaire investor Mark Mobius predicting that a free bilateral trade agreement between India and the US would benefit the country. Mobius believes that eliminating non-tariff barriers, such as quality control inspection agencies, would be ideal for India to sign a free trade pact with the US. The two nations are working towards signing the first tranche of a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) by 2025, which could calm markets and prevent a major slowdown in the world economy.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/business/pm-modi-trump-share-cordial-ties-trade-pact-set-to-benefit-india-mark-mobius/Singapore's Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized the importance of developing varied and deeper relations with multiple partners to increase resilience in the face of rising global trade tensions. He advocates for a tariff-free trade across the Asean region, suggesting that this would make the group more connected and resilient.
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/asean-should-aim-tariff-free-trade-pm-wongRomania's interim President Ilie Bolojan met with eight U.S. Congress members at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, reaffirming his country's commitment to democratic standards and a strategic partnership with the US. The meeting focused on security, economic cooperation, and Romania's inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, which is a priority for both countries. Bolojan emphasized the importance of strengthening the US presence in Romania and cooperating closely with NATO to address regional security challenges.
https://www.actmedia.eu/daily/acting-president-bolojan-welcomes-us-congress-delegation/113535China has imposed tariffs of up to 125% on American goods in retaliation against US trade restrictions, while halting exports of critical rare earth metals like dysprosium and yttrium, essential to the US tech, EV, and defense industries. The move escalates tensions between the two nations, with diplomatic relations deteriorating further.
https://www.ibtimes.sg/did-white-house-spokeswoman-karoline-leavitt-really-wear-made-china-dress-79504Chinese Communist Party officials are visiting companies in coastal provinces to help them cope with the impact of US President Donald Trump's tariffs. Top officials such as Zhou Bin, Zhang Wenjie, Shi Zhijun, and Kong Fanping have embarked on tours to meet with manufacturers and mayors in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Huaian, and Shandong provinces, respectively. They aim to provide support and guidance to exporters facing difficulties due to the trade war, with a focus on finding new markets and stabilising trade and exports.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3306759/chinese-officials-embark-tour-rally-export-firms-facing-trump-tariff-shocks?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionA senior Pentagon official, Under Secretary of Defence for Policy Elbridge Colby, has described US President Donald Trump's defence policy as "not a recipe for isolation" but a "common sense" approach amid concerns about its impact on US alliances and partnerships. Colby made the remarks in a social media post after being sworn in by Vice President J.D.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/international/senior-pentagon-official-calls-trumps-policy-not-recipe-for-isolation-but-common-sense-approach/U.S. Trade Representative Robert Cuerpo expressed confidence in negotiating a trade deal with the European Union before July, following a meeting with Spanish officials. He stated that the U.S. is open to discussing tariffs and other non-tariff barriers with the EU, citing European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič as a key figure in reaching a balanced agreement.
https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-scott-bessent-treasury-chief-jabs-spain-on-defense-spending/