US President Donald Trump's international negotiations are not going as planned. His recent talks in Switzerland were seen as a win, but other countries have taken advantage of his perceived weakness. China's defiant stance has convinced some nations to take a tougher position in their trade talks with the US. Experts say this shift in negotiating dynamics may lead countries like South Korea and Belgium to stand firm and force Trump to capitulate, rather than signaling any hardening of their approach.
https://www.rawstory.com/trump-overplayed-hand-experts-china/Warsaw is seen as an ideal partner for the US due to its pro-American stance and strategic location, particularly in Central and Eastern Europe. The US plans to take a central role in energy exports to Europe, with Poland emerging as a vital market and reliable ally against Russia and China. As the EU prepares to ban Russian gas imports by 2027, the US can create a strong energy alliance through Poland as a base and Italy and Romania as transit points.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/971987-national-interest-the-us-wants-to-replace-russia-as-an-energy-supplier-to-eastern-europe-poland-is-its-main-partnerSouth Korea and the US are set to hold a second round of technical discussions in Washington this week regarding the US' sweeping tariff scheme. The talks aim to forge a "package" deal by early July, with officials from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy indicating that a South Korean delegation will depart for Washington around Tuesday. The two sides will discuss six key areas, including trade imbalances, non-tariff measures, economic security, digital trade, country of origin of products, and commercial considerations. This comes after the US paused reciprocal tariffs on partner nations, including 25% duties on South Korea, which were imposed last month. Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun and Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo met with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on Jeju Island last week to reiterate their request for a complete tariff exemption.
https://www.lokmattimes.com/technology/south-korea-us-to-hold-2nd-round-of-tariff-talks-in-washington-this-week-1/China's yuan strengthened against the US dollar after a trade deal between China and the US reduced tariffs, boosting market optimism. Analysts at Nanhua Futures expect the yuan to remain strong in the short term but may resume two-way fluctuations once sentiment fades. The People's Bank of China set the midpoint rate at 7.1938 per dollar, closer to Reuters' estimates than in recent months. Strategist Lemon Zhang notes that this move aims to avoid rapid gains like those seen in the Taiwan dollar, which surged after Taipei allowed for appreciation to smooth trade relations with Washington.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40363389/yuan-firms-on-better-sentimentBelize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, two countries with formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, have expressed support for Taiwan's inclusion as an observer at this year's World Health Organization (WHO) meeting. The proposal was met with opposition from China, which views Taiwan's participation as a challenge to its authority and the post-war international order. China claims that Taiwan's exclusion is due to its "separatist" stance, while Taiwan argues that it has been unfairly excluded from international organizations. Despite the US not speaking for or signing the proposal, and China's delegation calling it a "political lie," Belize's envoy described Taiwan's exclusion as "unfair and self-defeating."
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40363547/pakistan-china-oppose-motion-to-invite-taiwan-to-whos-annual-assemblyBritain has agreed to a new trade deal with the EU, reducing red tape for food and agricultural producers, making food cheaper, and improving energy security. The £9 billion ($12.1 billion) deal includes a defence and security pact allowing British companies like BAE, Rolls-Royce, and Babcock to participate in a 150 billion euro ($167 billion) European rearmament programme. In return, Britain will have access to EU waters for 12 years, reducing paperwork and border checks, while agreeing to a limited youth mobility scheme and discussing participation in the Erasmus+ student exchange programme.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/605222-uk-seals-landmark-post-brexit-eu-deal-eyes-9bn-economic-boostDefense experts are concerned about China's potential access to an airbase in Bangladesh, posing a threat to India's strategic interests in the North East region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Chinese military officials have recently visited Rangpur district, just 20 km from the Indian border and 130 kilometers from Siliguri, a key Indian military hub.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/chinese-j-10-jf-17-fighters-could-threaten-india/China is using non-lethal but coercive tactics in the South China Sea, known as "grey zone" methods, to assert control over disputed waters without sparking open conflict. According to Gregory Poling, director of the Southeast Asia Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Beijing's actions have limited Southeast Asian nations from operating freely within their own exclusive economic zones (EEZs) since 2013, with tactics including maritime harassment, blockades, and aggressive patrols by the China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/05/20/news/national/china-steps-up-coercive-sea-tactics/2116726The European Union is exploring a defense partnership with Australia as part of its efforts to address global crises, including the Ukraine war. This move follows similar agreements made with South Korea and Japan last year, under the leadership of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/05/20/world/asia-oceania/eu-wants-new-defense-treaty-with-australia/2116528