Germany's auto industry could face significant challenges due to US tariffs, with Finance Minister Joerg Kukies visiting Washington to discuss a tough response from the German government. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and EU chief Ursula von der Leyen have taken a more conciliatory approach, calling for a "reasoned" solution. Chancellor Olaf Scholz emphasized Canada's independence, stating it has friends worldwide, including in Germany and Europe, as it is a special guest at the Hanover trade fair starting Monday.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/eu-open-compromise-us-tariffs-says-scholz-5033851US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth praised Japan as a "cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific" during his visit to Tokyo, where he met with Defence Minister Gen Nakatani. Hegseth emphasized the importance of Japan's role in deterring Chinese aggression, particularly across the Taiwan Strait. He noted that Japan hosts around 50,000 US military personnel and is home to Washington's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier strike group, which helps contain Chinese military power.
https://channelnewsasia.com/world/us-pentagon-chief-hegseth-says-japan-key-deter-china-5033101US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth has stressed the need for Japan and the US to strengthen their military capabilities as China's assertive actions in the region increase. During his first trip to Japan, Hegseth met with Defense Minister Gen Nakatani to accelerate plans for joint missile development and production, including Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missiles (MRAAM) and SM-6 surface-to-air missiles. The two countries also agreed to speed up the maintenance of US warships and planes in Japan to bolster their defense industries. Hegseth emphasized the importance of a strong alliance between the two nations, particularly in light of China's claims on Taiwan, which is a key concern for both countries.
https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/hegseth-calls-japan-indispensable-in-the-face-of-chinese-aggression/article69393882.eceIran's foreign minister and President Masoud Pezeshkian reiterated that the country will not engage in direct negotiations with the US, but has been involved in indirect talks. Iranian President Pezeshkian quoted Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying indirect negotiations can continue. The US, under President Trump, withdrew from a 2015 nuclear deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran, leading to its nuclear program surpassing agreed limits. Despite Trump's warning of potential tariffs on Russia and Iran, Tehran has rebuffed his offer to make a deal or face military consequences.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40355483/trump-threatens-bombing-if-iran-does-not-make-nuclear-dealItalian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her commitment to defending transatlantic unity and rebuilding it if necessary, amid tensions over defense with the US. She believes that Italy's first ally is the US, but also acknowledges differences on tariffs and trade. Meloni's government backs plans to boost Europe's defense, despite opposition from junior coalition partner Matteo Salvini, who sees it as a ploy to boost Germany's economy.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1296658-meloni-urges-reasoned-eu-approach-to-trump-tariffsRussia's rearmament efforts have not been significantly hindered by economic sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. According to a leaked report from Lithuania's State Security Department, President Putin's regime has maintained the capability to launch limited military action against NATO countries, despite lacking the resources for large-scale conventional war. The production volume of artillery shells and missiles has increased annually, indicating that sanctions have had a limited impact on Russia's defense industry.
https://nypost.com/2025/03/30/world-news/ukraine-cease-fire-will-send-russian-troops-to-nato-borders-baltic-states-warn/South Korea, China and Japan held their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday as they seek to boost regional trade amid US President Donald Trump's tariffs. The three countries' trade ministers agreed to cooperate on a South Korea-Japan-China free trade agreement to promote "regional and global trade". South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun emphasized the need for stronger implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and a framework for expanding trade cooperation among the three countries. The meeting comes ahead of Trump's announcement of more tariffs, which may impact companies like those in Seoul, Beijing, and Tokyo, major US trading partners with significant vehicle exports to the US.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/03/30/trump-tariffs-move-s-korea-china-japan-to-resume-trade-talks-after-five-year-pause/171374South Korea, China, and Japan held their first economic dialogue in five years on March 30, 2025, as US President Donald Trump's tariffs loom over regional trade. The three countries' trade ministers agreed to facilitate a South Korea-Japan-China free trade agreement deal to promote "regional and global trade". South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun emphasized the need to strengthen the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and create a framework for expanding trade cooperation among the three countries through Korea-China-Japan FTA negotiations.
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/south-korea-china-japan-agree-promote-regional-trade-trump-tariffs-loomUS President Trump's move has raised concerns among investors, who are already anxious about his previous tariffs on steel and aluminium. The impact of these measures is expected to be significant for Japan-US relations as well as the global economy and multilateral trading system. Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi expressed this concern. The stock market reflected this anxiety with Toyota plummeting 4.76%, Honda falling 4.77%, and Nissan losing 2.97% in Tokyo. Top trade officials from South Korea, Japan, and China are set to meet in Seoul on Sunday to discuss economic cooperation.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40355403/japan-pm-says-trumps-tariff-views-hard-to-understand