Chinese President Xi Jinping stated that tariffs and trade wars harm the world economy order, during a meeting with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Beijing. The two leaders announced a "comprehensive strategic partnership" with 20 cooperation agreements covering areas such as law, green development, digital economy, intellectual property, and outer space. Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to support China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative when it launched in 2013.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/966060-xi-jinping-tariffs-and-trade-wars-harm-the-world-economic-orderChinese President Xi Jinping warned that trade wars harm countries' rights and interests, global trading systems, and economic order. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described tariffs as a reciprocal trade embargo, but expects a de-escalation in the near future, bringing relief to markets.
https://channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/china-trade-talks-trump-tariffs-5083316Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that trade wars harm the multilateral trading system and global economic order, as US President Trump acknowledged a "very high" tariff level of 145% will decrease substantially but won't reach zero. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent expects a de-escalation in near future, bringing relief to markets, according to a closed-door event hosted by JPMorgan Chase.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40359128/china-says-door-open-to-trade-talks-after-trump-signals-tariffs-will-fallUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested that Russia may have stolen drone technology from China, implying that Chinese citizens are working at a drone production site in Russia. This comment appears to be a softer tone towards Beijing, which denies direct military aid to Moscow. Ukraine's foreign ministry has summoned Chinese Ambassador Ma Shengkun and expressed "serious concerns" over Chinese involvement in the war.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3307513/ukraines-zelensky-says-chinese-citizens-working-drone-production-site-russia?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has expressed skepticism about reaching an agreement with Russia over Ukraine's membership in NATO, citing complex issues such as territory and security guarantees. He is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the funeral of Pope Francis later this week. The talks in London will involve officials from the US, Britain, France, Germany, and Ukraine, amid intense diplomatic efforts by the US to end Russia's war with Ukraine.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/ready-to-hold-talks-with-russia-once-ceasefire-deal-in-place-ukraine-president-zelensky-8230432President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims Russia is pretending to negotiate a ceasefire to advance on Ukraine's front line, while US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has withdrawn from talks. Despite this, General Keith Kellogg will attend. Mr Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Russia. The US is considering recognizing Crimea as part of Russia, which was seized in 2014. European leaders plan to propose a "coalition of the willing" to maintain Ukraine's sovereignty. China is accused by Zelenskyy of supplying weapons and gunpowder to Russia, with over 150 Chinese citizens reportedly fighting for Russia on the front lines.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-23/ukraine-willing-to-participate-in-peace-talks-with-russia/105204214Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent criticized the World Bank and International Monetary Fund for "falling short" while emphasizing the US's commitment to global leadership. He called for deeper collaboration among trade partners, stating that "America first does not mean America alone." Bessent assured investors of continued support for multilateral banks' core missions, but stopped short of calling for the US withdrawal from these institutions.
https://www.boston25news.com/news/bessent-assails-imf/SPHGF6P7WRGLHAM6KQVPCMNY34/India has suspended the SAARC Visa Exemption Scheme for Pakistani nationals, cancelling any existing visas and requiring them to leave within 48 hours. The Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 will be put on hold until Pakistan stops supporting cross-border terrorism. Defence/military advisors at the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi have been declared "Persona Non Grata" with a week to leave India, while similar actions are being taken against Indian High Commission staff in Islamabad.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/pahalgam-attack-jammu-and-kashmir-attack-terrorist-attack-leave-in-48-hours-india-tells-pakistanis-on-saarc-visa-8238610#pfrom=home-ndtv_topscroll_ImagetopscrollIndia has taken strong measures in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, including shutting the Attari border and suspending the Indus water treaty until Pakistan credibly and irrevocably abjures its support for cross-border terrorism. The decision was made by the Cabinet Committee on Security, which condemned the attack in the strongest terms and expressed condolences to the victims' families. India has also withdrawn its Defence, Navy, and Air advisors from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad and will not permit Pakistani nationals to travel to India under the SAARC visa exemption scheme.
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/pahalgam-terror-attack-jammu-kashmir-india-shuts-attari-border-suspends-indus-treaty-until-pakistan-11745423417962.html