ASEAN faces significant challenges in countering a global trade war if its anchor state, Singapore, remains economically fragile. The region's efforts to implement the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) and Asean Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) are being hindered by external crises. For instance, Indonesia's economic struggles have impacted regional cooperation on environmental issues. ASEAN must diversify its trade relationships and strengthen its institutions to mitigate the effects of a global trade war.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2025/05/08/india-pakistan-tensions-are-tearing-at-aseans-strategic-core-phar-kim-beng/175960Malaysia is set to host Asean meetings amid high-stakes US-China trade talks in Switzerland this weekend. The summit aims to unite Asean nations against "excessive tariffs" and follows progress made on finalizing an Asean-China free trade deal. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Washington is negotiating with 17 major trading partners, including China's top trading partner Saudi Arabia, as part of efforts to isolate China economically.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2025/05/08/china-premier-li-qiang-set-for-malaysia-visit-end-may-as-beijing-rallies-asean-gcc-bloc-against-us-tariffs/176021US President Trump imposed tariffs on US trading partners last month but temporarily froze most of them to facilitate trade deal negotiations. He claimed countries were lining up for deals with the US, but a trade agreement with Britain remains unclear. Britain recently struck a free trade agreement with India, its largest since leaving the EU in 2020, after negotiations resumed following US tariff threats.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/trump-trade-deal-with-uk/article69551850.eceChina is urging the US to drop its tariffs ahead of their first trade talks, warning that it will not sacrifice its principles to reach an agreement. The warning comes as top Chinese and US officials meet in Switzerland this weekend. China's stance is led by President Donald Trump, who began ramping up duties on imports from China in 2020.
https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3309595/show-sincerity-china-urges-us-drop-tariffs-ahead-first-trade-talks?module=top_story&pgtype=section#commentsThe Copernicus Climate Change Service reported that April was the second-hottest month in its dataset, with all but one of the last 22 months exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. A recent study by dozens of climate scientists concluded that global warming reached 1.36C in 2024, and Copernicus projects 1.5C could be reached in mid-2029 or sooner. Climate scientist Samantha Burgess warned that the target is no longer attainable, while Julien Cattiaux said it would likely be beaten before 2030, but emphasized the need for continued action despite alarming figures.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/global-temperatures-stuck-at-near-record-highs-in-april-eu-monitor/article_d729c883-bd1b-5f31-aea5-e277c0496fa1.htmlThe European Union's Copernicus climate monitoring agency reported that April 2024 was 1.51 degrees Celsius hotter than the pre-industrial average, continuing a trend of nearly two years where months have breached the 1.5C threshold. Over the past year, temperatures rose to 1.58C above pre-industrial levels, primarily driven by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
https://www.politico.eu/article/this-april-was-worlds-second-hottest-on-record-eu-scientists-say/European leaders must take decisive action against US President Donald Trump's trade war, securing strategic autonomy in defense and high-tech sectors. They should form alliances with countries like Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Australia, who have also faced Trump's aggression. To counterbalance Trump's influence, Europe may seek to strengthen ties with nations in the Global South, reducing pressure from both him and Russian President Vladimir Putin, while preserving the multilateral system.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/3990479-it-would-be-absolute-stupidity-to-shift-relations-between-europe-us-toward-confrontation-extop-diplomat.htmlThe Copernicus Climate Change Service has reported that April was the second-hottest month globally, with all but one of the past 22 months exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, a target set by the Paris agreement. A recent study by dozens of climate scientists suggests global warming reached 1.36°C in 2024, while Copernicus projects that the current rate of warming could reach 1.5°C as early as mid-2029 or sooner.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/603613-global-temperatures-stuck-at-near-record-highs-in-april-eu-monitorThe Copernicus Climate Change Service has reported that April was the second-hottest month globally, with all but one of the past 22 months exceeding 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. A recent study by dozens of climate scientists predicts global warming will surpass this limit in a matter of years, with projections suggesting it could be reached as early as mid-2029.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1309547-unprecedented-heat-streak-continues-april-temperatures-near-record-highs