The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is facing potential challenges as three member countries - Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso - are set to officially withdraw from the organization on January 29. Despite currently having strong support in their respective countries, analysts anticipate that economic difficulties and high levels of insecurity will lead citizens to demand more effective solutions to local problems, requiring significant external support from ECOWAS.
https://www.voanews.com/a/analysts-weigh-in-ahead-of-ecowas-members-exit-deadline/7930082.htmlA recent debate among ECOWAS officials highlighted a disagreement over how to address regional security issues. While some members focused on practical solutions and regional security, others emphasized the importance of adhering to ECOWAS' legal and institutional principles. The differing views raised concerns about whether the organization can effectively navigate its challenges.
https://africanews.com/2025/01/09/can-ecowas-survive-the-sahel-split-africanews-debates/Elon Musk, the world's richest person and ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, has been involved in British politics, calling for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to resign. According to sources, Musk is seeking information on building support for alternative political movements to potentially destabilize the Labour government. This move has drawn criticism from European leaders who view it as meddling in elections and a threat to Western civilization.
https://www.trtworld.com/europe/european-leaders-angry-over-musks-interference-in-national-politics-18251878Rahm Emanuel's nearly three-year tenure as U.S. ambassador to Japan has seen significant developments in the bilateral alliance between the two countries. Notably, Emanuel played a key role in securing Japan's commitment to double its defense spending, a long-standing demand from Washington. He also facilitated an agreement allowing U.S. Navy ships to be repaired in Japan, marking a major upgrade in ties between the two nations.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/01/09/japan/politics/us-japan-ambassador-rahm-emanuel/US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel has expressed concerns that American defence companies are prioritizing their own financial interests over national security by focusing on share buy-backs rather than delivering weapons to the US military and its allies, particularly in Asia. This prioritization is seen as a potential risk to the nation's security, according to Emanuel.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3293991/envoy-says-sloppy-american-defence-firms-bigger-risk-us-security-china?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionThe European Commission has refrained from taking concrete action against US tech companies since Donald Trump's election victory, despite bolstering its legal arsenal to target major digital platforms. This apparent reluctance is attributed to a desire not to antagonize the incoming leadership in Washington, particularly given Elon Musk's close ties to Trump and his recent inflammatory comments. EU officials have remained silent on issues such as Musk's planned live chat with the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany party, despite criticism from experts like Alexandre de Streel, who suggests that the Commission is avoiding confrontation with Trump and Musk out of fear of their reactions.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/can-eu-stand-up-to-belligerent-big-tech-in-new-trump-era-204506The European Union has launched several probes into Chinese companies under its Foreign Subsidy Regulation (FSR), citing concerns that Beijing's state support is unfairly undercutting European businesses. The measures have damaged the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises in the EU market and hindered the development of European national economies, according to a statement from Brussels. One probe targets a subsidiary of CRRC, China's rail giant, which withdrew from a tender in Bulgaria after being investigated. Another probe focuses on Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers seeking to build a photovoltaic park in Romania with European funding. The EU has also imposed tariffs on Chinese-made electric cars and brandy imported from the EU, prompting Beijing to retaliate with its own measures. Meanwhile, a report by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China warns that multinationals are being forced to localize their operations in China due to regulatory requirements, driving up costs and reducing efficiency.
https://www.voanews.com/a/beijing-says-eu-imposed-unfair-trade-barriers-on-chinese-firms/7930784.htmlThe European Union has launched an investigation into two Chinese companies under the Foreign Subsidy Regulation (FSR), citing concerns that their measures have damaged the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises and hindered the development of European national economies. The probes target a subsidiary of CRRC, China's state-owned rail giant, which withdrew from a tender in Bulgaria to supply electric trains, and Chinese-owned solar panel manufacturers seeking to build a photovoltaic park in Romania with funding from European funds.
https://channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/beijing-eu-imposed-unfair-trade-barriers-chinese-firms-4847556European Union officials are prepared to take on a leadership role if the United States is unwilling, according to EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell. He emphasized that it's not in America's interest for Russia to become the dominant global force, suggesting that the EU may step up to fill any potential power vacuum.
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-ready-take-lead-ukraine-if-us-no-longer-willing-says-kaja-kallas/