China's Foreign Ministry stated it will ignore US tariffs if the country continues to play the "tariff numbers game". The White House recently released a fact sheet outlining China's total duties, including a 125% tariff and 20% tariff on goods related to the fentanyl crisis. In response, Beijing raised its own levies on US goods without seeking talks, citing a need for mutual respect and equality. China has also filed a complaint with the World Trade Organisation over US tariffs, accusing Washington of violating global trade rules. The US has appointed a new trade negotiator, Li Chenggang, to engage in potential talks with China, while President Trump insists Beijing should make the first move to resolve the escalating tariff war.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/china-says-it-will-ignore-us-tariff-numbers-game/article69459319.eceEl Salvador has become a "black hole" for US deportees, with critics expressing concerns over the country's treatment of asylum seekers and deportees from the United States. The situation has been exacerbated by the Biden administration's decision to end COVID-19-related restrictions on deportations, allowing thousands of individuals to be sent back to El Salvador without proper processing or support. Many are now facing poverty, violence, and exploitation in their home country, with some reporting being forced into prostitution or human trafficking.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/el-salvador-becoming-black-hole-for-us-deportees-critics-fear/article_3def3412-2154-55c5-a721-6251b8d9bebc.htmlThe European Union has proposed a list of countries deemed "safe" for asylum seekers, with exceptions including conflict zones like Ukraine. The plan aims to harmonize rules and ensure all members have the same baseline, but human rights groups have criticized it as "misleading and dangerous". EU candidate nations will be included on the list if they meet certain criteria, which can be expanded or reviewed over time. France already has a list of countries considered safe for asylum, including Mongolia, Serbia, and Cape Verde. The plan must be approved by the European Parliament and member states before it can take effect.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eu-lists-seven-safe-countries-of-origin-tightening-asylum-rules/article69457248.eceIndonesia's Foreign Minister Sugiono has discussed deregulation measures with US Senator Mario Rubio, emphasizing cooperation amid global geopolitical tensions. The two ministers also touched on regional issues such as the South China Sea and Palestine, where Sugiono highlighted President Prabowo's efforts to promote peace through visits to Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the UAE, and Turkey. Indonesia is prepared to temporarily evacuate injured Palestinians from Gaza for medical treatment in Indonesia, with plans for their eventual repatriation.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1997765/indonesia-and-u-s-reaffirm-commitment-to-bilateral-cooperationThe Indonesian government's plan to award a hero title to former President Soeharto has been met with strong opposition from human rights groups, including KontraS. Jessenia Destarini, a member of the Impunity Monitoring Division at KontraS, views the proposal as an attempt to "whitewash dark history" and erase the consequences of crimes committed during Soeharto's rule. She argues that awarding the title would be a "disgrace to the dignity of the victims" and contradict the spirit of the 1998 Reform, which demands change towards a democratic government and respect for human rights.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1997520/social-affairs-ministry-to-proceed-with-soehartos-national-hero-proposal-despite-outcriesA specialist military publication, Janes, has stood by its story that Russia requested to base long-range warplanes in Indonesia, despite Indonesian officials denying the claim. The report, which cited anonymous sources within the Indonesian government, claimed Russia had asked to base aircraft at a military base in Papua. However, Indonesian Foreign Ministry spokesman Rolliansyah Soemirat said Indonesia has never granted permission for foreign military bases and would only permit peaceful visits from other nations. Russia's ambassador to Indonesia, Sergei Tolchenov, issued a statement that appeared to justify the move, while former Home Affairs Department secretary Mike Pezzullo suggested semantics could explain the conflicting claims.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/it-is-accurate-website-stands-by-controversial-russian-aircraft-story-20250417-p5lsfh.htmlSingapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong expressed concern over the US postponing most of its proposed tariffs, saying it has created great uncertainty worldwide. The delay until July does not alleviate concerns as the US still imposes a 10% baseline tariff. Wong warned that the trade war between the US and China would lead to a halt in trading between the countries, affecting economies globally. This sentiment is particularly relevant for Singapore's small, open economy, which has been impacted by Trump's trade policies. The country's central bank recently loosened monetary policy, while its economic growth forecast was lowered for 2025.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/singapore/2025/04/17/singapore-pm-wong-us-tariffs-delay-offers-little-comfort-as-trade-war-pain-will-be-felt-everywhere/173359The US government has acknowledged the genocide committed by the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan, a paramilitary group. The Trump administration had previously refused to directly acknowledge the determination of genocide against the group. Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the bloodshed as "the world's largest humanitarian catastrophe" on January 7. This acknowledgement comes ahead of the two-year anniversary of the start of the Sudanese civil war between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/04/16/sudan-genocide-declaration-trump-administration/8361744838755/The World Trade Organization (WTO) has warned that global trade is expected to plummet this year due to President Donald Trump's tariff offensive, with merchandise trade forecast to fall 0.2 percent in 2025 and grow only 2.5 percent in 2026. The WTO chief, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, expressed concern over the "severe negative consequences" for vulnerable economies, citing a potential decline of 81 percent in US-China trade volumes. The organization also warned that services trade could be adversely affected, with global commercial services trade forecast to grow by only 4.0 percent.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/04/17/wto-warns-trump-tariffs-could-slash-global-trade-spark-7pc-gdp-hit-from-us-china-decoupling/173355