US President Donald Trump has announced plans to substantially lower tariffs on Chinese goods, from 145% to an unspecified level, as he recognizes that the current trade war between the US and China cannot be sustained indefinitely. The decision comes after a closed-door meeting with investment bankers, where Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the negotiations with China as a "slog". Trump acknowledged that the current tariffs were "very high" and stated he will not engage in "hardball" tactics with China.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-says-he-will-substantially-cut-china-tariffs-as-trade-war-bites-20250423-p5ltl8.htmlU.S. President Donald Trump has proposed a framework for Russia-Ukraine relations, which includes recognition of Crimea's annexation and Moscow's control over four partially occupied Ukrainian regions, as well as sanctions relief and economic cooperation. The plan was met with skepticism, particularly regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, which remain vague.
https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2025/04/23/vance-tells-russia-and-ukraine-to-accept-peace-terms-or-risk-us-abandoning-talks-a88843US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a potential "fair deal" with China on trade, but his top officials offered few details on how to de-escalate the tariff war. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that both countries are waiting for talks on tariffs and that the high levels imposed by both sides are unsustainable, suggesting a possible mutual reduction in duties.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-china-2671834176/US President Trump has made inflammatory comments about Ukraine's President Zelensky, suggesting that his opposition to recognizing Crimea as Russian territory is "inflammatory" and will prolong the war. In contrast, US Vice-President Mike Pence has been involved in downgraded talks with Russia and Ukraine in Britain, while Ukrainian officials have maintained that Crimea is part of their country. Trump also criticized Zelensky's remarks on social media, stating they would hinder a potential peace deal, but his comments were met with criticism from some quarters.
https://www.scmp.com/news/world/russia-central-asia/article/3307666/trump-says-ukraine-peace-deal-very-close-slams-zelenskys-crimea-stance?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionUkraine's head of presidential office Andriy Yermak has arrived in London along with Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga and Defense Minister Rustem Umerov to meet with American and European mediators, despite a postponed ministerial-level meeting. Yermak stated that the goal is to achieve a "complete and unconditional ceasefire" as a first step towards peace. The Kremlin has expressed caution, citing "many nuances" in negotiations, while Russian President Vladimir Putin remains open to talks with all parties.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/966114-ukraine-demands-unconditional-ceasefire-russia-putin-remains-open-to-talksUkraine and Russia are likely to have to give up some territory they currently own as part of a proposed peace deal. The proposal was first discussed in Paris last week, but talks have been complicated by recent Russian air strikes that killed nine people in Ukraine's southeastern city of Marganets. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for an immediate ceasefire, while Russia's Dmitry Peskov said no agreement had been reached on key issues. US envoy Keith Kellogg and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy are still expected to attend talks in London, despite difficulties surrounding the negotiations.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/us-will-walk-away-unless-russia-and-ukraine-agree-deal-vance/article_573970b6-1820-5e18-9d28-f63fd6405bd7.htmlUS Treasury Chief Bessent and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt expressed optimism about potential trade deals with China, while acknowledging the need for fair trade and economic rebalancing in China. Global finance ministers and central bankers will meet in Washington to discuss trade talks, which have been impacted by US tariffs. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged cooperation from the UK and EU on safeguarding international trade, as Japan considers concessions to ease tensions with the US.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/601436-china-says-door-open-to-trade-talks-after-trump-signals-tariffs-will-fallUkraine is open to any format of negotiations that can bring an end to the war and open the door to a dialogue of peace, said President Zelenskyy, who expressed his condolences for the death of nine civilians after a Russian drone attack on a bus in eastern Ukraine. The US presented its proposal six weeks ago, which includes an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, but Russia has been accused of delaying it while trying to capture more Ukrainian territory. Analysts say Moscow is not in a hurry to conclude peace talks because it has gained momentum on the battlefield. A British Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, announced that only lower-level officials would participate in negotiations in London, after the US Department of State said Secretary of State Marco Rubio couldn't attend due to scheduling issues. The abrupt cancellation of Rubio raised doubts about the direction of the talks. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that "so far, they haven't managed to close their positions on some issues."
https://apnews.com/article/ucrania-rusia-guerra-reino-unido-londres-eeuu-dialogo-8c2ed024315e973a859ad35b930da6d6Angelina Jolie, a long-time UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, has condemned the situation in Gaza as a "mass grave" where Palestinians and aid workers are being systematically destroyed. The Israeli military's air, ground, and sea offensive is forcing displacement and blocking essential aid, posing a threat to humanitarian aid and healthcare workers' safety. Jolie called for an urgent ceasefire and the lifting of Israel's deadly siege on Gaza, which has resulted in over 51,000 Palestinian deaths since October 2023, mostly women and children. The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Israeli leaders Netanyahu and Yoav Gallant, while Israel faces a genocide case at the International Court of Justice.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/actress-angelina-jolie-reiterates-support-for-gaza-208332