Japan, the largest foreign investor in the US and a major trade partner, engaged Washington in tariff negotiations after Trump's announcement on April 2. Led by Economy Minister Ryosei Akazawa, Tokyo offered investments in energy and steel sectors during seven visits to Washington between April and June. In return, they sought to drop tariffs on the automotive sector, which employs one-tenth of Japan's workers, and avoid US demands for Japan to lower agricultural product levies, including rice. Analysts say Ishiba's ruling coalition is at risk of losing its majority in an upcoming upper house vote, casting doubt on his government and future.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/fantastic-spoiled-how-japans-trade-effort-woo-trump-backfiredChinese Premier Li Qiang met with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on July 8, 2025, to discuss global governance and cooperation. The two leaders emphasized the importance of multilateralism and collaboration to address pressing issues such as climate change and pandemics. During their meeting, they also touched upon regional security concerns, including the situation in Ukraine.
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337930.shtmlBrazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has expressed concern about India's relatively low trade volume with his country, despite both nations being part of the BRICS grouping and sharing common interests in poverty reduction and biofuel production. Brazil's trading partners include China, the US, Argentina, and Germany, dwarfing its commerce with India.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/07/09/world/politics/brazil-lula-modi-india-trade-partner/Malaysia's Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan emphasized the importance of upholding human rights in Southeast Asia as the region moves towards greater integration. He welcomed efforts to develop two key human rights declarations, one focusing on environmental protection and the other promoting economic and social development. Malaysia's representative to AICHR, Edmund Bon Tai Soon, described the proposals as "timely but vital" and highlighted their significance in addressing climate threats, displacement, and inequality. The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) aims to adopt these declarations at the upcoming Asean Summit, with Malaysia proposing November 18 be designated Asean Human Rights Day to mark the adoption of the 2012 declaration.
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2025/07/09/human-rights-the-top-focusPakistan's ambassador stated that there is credible evidence of collaboration between the Taliban (TTP) and other groups like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Majeed Brigade, aimed at disrupting Pakistan's infrastructure and economic projects. Afghanistan's problems are affecting Pakistan, which has hosted millions of Afghans for decades while protecting vulnerable ones. Since August 2021, an additional one million undocumented individuals entered Pakistan, causing law-and-order concerns. The ambassador emphasized the need for a more equitable sharing of the burden with the international community, and the revival of Afghanistan's economy and banking system, including unfreezing financial assets to enable trade and investment.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1327274-ttp-a-global-threat-pakistanUS Senator Rubio's visit to Kuala Lumpur coincides with summits involving Russian and Chinese counterparts, as he seeks to rebalance US trade relationships in Southeast Asia. The region has expressed concern over Trump's protectionist measures, which have been partially suspended. Vietnam has already reached a tentative agreement with the US, while Malaysia and Laos face 25% and 40% tariffs respectively. Rubio aims to address concerns over critical minerals, a key resource dominated by China, affecting western Europe and the US.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/rubio-departs-for-whirlwind-asia-trip-overshadowed-by-tariffs/article_0a65d94a-fd12-5950-a4e7-55d0bb977270.htmlThe Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is hosting its 25th session, marking a significant milestone. The summit brings together prominent leaders from member states including Belarus' Alexander Lukashenko, China's Xi Jinping, Iran's Dr Masoud Pezeshkian, Kazakhstan's Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Kyrgyzstan's Sadyr Japarov, Pakistan's Shehbaz Sharif, Russia's Vladimir Putin, Tajikistan's Emomali Rahmon, and Uzbekistan's Shavkat Mirziyoyev. India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also in attendance. Afghanistan has been invited to the summit for the first time since 2021, following its reactivation as an observer member in 2012.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40371738/modi-may-skip-sco-heads-of-state-summit-in-chinaSoutheast Asian foreign ministers will meet in Kuala Lumpur on July 9 to address US trade tariffs and a territorial dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which threatens the bloc's unity. The meetings will be followed by discussions with major trade partners including the US, China, Japan, Russia, India, and the European Union. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov are expected to attend, as well as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on his first trip to Asia.
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/us-tariffs-take-centre-stage-asean-meets-malaysiaA high-level Turkish delegation led by Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and Defence Minister Yasar Güler has arrived in Pakistan to strengthen bilateral ties with the country, which shares a rich history of cooperation between the two nations. The delegation was welcomed by Ambassador Syed Ali Asad Gillani at the Foreign Office's Additional Secretary (West Asia) office.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/613125-turkish-ministers-in-pakistan-with-defence-cooperation-on-cards