International Relations NewsFeed

April 2, 2025

Ueda Warns Tariffs Will Hit Small Nations Hardest

Kazuo Ueda, a parliament member, warned that US tariffs could significantly impact trade activities in affected nations depending on their size and area. He also highlighted the potential effect of tariffs on household and business sentiment, which could influence overall spending. Ueda's comments come as US President Donald Trump unveiled a 25% auto tariff last week, with Ueda continuing to monitor developments without offering hints about the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) rate hike path.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/04/02/economy/boj-ueda-tariffs-impact/

April 2, 2025

US Offers Minerals Deal to Boost Ukraine's Economy

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesperson announced that British, French and Ukrainian military leaders will meet to boost Ukraine's security. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the US to increase sanctions on Russia for violating the ceasefire on energy infrastructure. The US proposed a minerals deal with Ukraine, which would require Ukraine to nominate a legal company to work on the draft.

https://www.firstpost.com/world/zelenskyy-ukraine-to-negotiate-foreign-troop-deployment-for-security-assurances-13876471.html

April 2, 2025

US Targets Australia's News Code in Trade Report

Australia's News Media Bargaining Code has been named as a global trade issue by the US in its annual Foreign Trade Barriers report, amid Donald Trump's preparations for "liberation day" and new tariffs. The code, which aims to ensure news outlets are fairly remunerated for their content, was passed by Parliament in 2021 but has faced controversy, including Meta blocking access to news content and threatening to pull all news from Australian platforms if forced to pay. The US trade office has set its sights on Australia's pharmaceutical sector, biosecurity protections, and the code itself, which could be tightened with an incentive tax on platforms that do not make deals.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-02/media-bargaining-code-tariffs-trump/105124278

April 2, 2025

US Targets Quebec's French-Language Trade Barrier Law

The US Trade Office is targeting Quebec's controversial French-language law, known as Bill 96, which was adopted in 2022 and has been a barrier to trade with the US. The move may complicate Canada's decisions on responding to President Donald Trump's tariffs.

https://news.bloomberglaw.com/esg/us-trade-office-takes-aim-at-quebecs-french-language-law

April 2, 2025

US Threatens Tariffs Over Australia's Media Laws

Australia is facing potential US trade retaliation, with the latest report from the United States Trade Representative's office targeting the country's pharmaceutical sector, biosecurity protections, and laws requiring social media giants to pay for news. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned that weakening Australian laws to avoid tariffs would be "cutting off our own nose", while the US is set to announce a fresh round of tariffs on Thursday, dubbed 'Liberation Day'.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-02/nucoal-mining-nsw-donald-trump-liberation-day-tariffs-joe-hockey/105128078

April 2, 2025

Zelensky Demands Tougher Sanctions on Russia's Energy Sector

Ukraine and Russia have accused each other of violating agreements made in Saudi Arabia, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky calling on the US to strengthen sanctions on Moscow. Zelensky's Defense Minister Rustem Umerov met with US officials, passing on information about Russian violations in the energy sector. The White House stated that both countries agreed to develop measures for implementing an agreement to ban strikes against energy facilities.

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/01/ukraine-russia-complain-to-us-about-strikes-on-energy-sites-a88571

April 2, 2025

Abu Rumman Presents Credentials to Maltese President

Ambassador Abdullah Abu Rumman presented his credentials to Maltese President Myriam Spiteri Debono, becoming Jordan's non-resident ambassador to Malta. The ceremony took place at the Presidential Palace in Valletta, where Abu Rumman conveyed King Abdullah's greetings and best wishes for Malta's progress and prosperity.

https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordans-ambassador-malta-presents-credentials

April 2, 2025

African Union Delegation Arrives in Juba for Mediation

A delegation from the African Union (AU) led by members of the "Council of the Wise" including former Burundian President Domitien Ndayizeye and former Kenyan judge Effie Owuor, has arrived in Juba to ease tensions and support the peace process. The AU's Peace and Security Council had previously called for the immediate release of Riek Machar, leader of the SPLM-IO party, warning that his detention threatens the 2018 peace deal. Kenya's former Prime Minister Raila Odinga also visited Juba on Monday to mediate between rival factions as part of an East African regional bloc.

https://africanews.com/2025/04/02/african-union-mediators-arrive-in-south-sudan-to-salvage-peace-deal/

April 2, 2025

Asian Markets Rise Ahead of Trump Tariff Announcement

Asian markets edged up on Wednesday as investors braced for US President Donald Trump's announcement of tariffs, dubbed "Liberation Day", which could lead to a global trade war. The planned duties have sparked uncertainty, with economists warning that economic growth could take a hit and inflation reignite. Markets in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Wellington, Taipei, and Manila rose, while Tokyo remained flat, as investors sought some certainty before the announcement. Chinese tech giant Xiaomi swung higher after a recent fall, while HSBC strategists warned of potential further uncertainty on April 2.

https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/capital-markets-currencies/asia-markets-edge-uncertainty-rules-ahead-trump-tariffs