Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong has assured Southeast Asian nations that Australia will be a reliable partner with open markets, amid concerns over the Trump administration's aid cuts and tariff threats. She criticized China's aggressive behavior in the South China Sea and warned of its intent to change the balance of power in Asia. The comments came during an annual meeting of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov were also present.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-10/foreign-minister-penny-wong-asean-comments/105518328The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is facing internal challenges as it prepares to address trade fallout from the ongoing conflict in Myanmar and a border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. ASEAN will hold critical meetings with major trade partners, including the US, China, Japan, Russia, India, and the European Union, starting Thursday and Friday in Malaysia.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/07/10/world/asia-oceania/malaysian-pm-warns-southeast-asia-that-trade-war-is-not-a-passing-storm/2146739House Speaker Mike Johnson has expressed support for increasing sanctions on Russia, criticizing President Vladimir Putin's unwillingness to end Ukraine's invasion. A proposed bill by Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal would impose a 500% tariff on countries importing energy from Russia, targeting the Kremlin's military funding.
https://nypost.com/2025/07/09/us-news/mike-johnson-steps-up-calls-for-fresh-russia-sanctions-to-send-putin-a-message-after-trump-ripped-russians-bulls/Indonesia is seeking a mutually beneficial approach in its negotiations with the US over tariffs, following President Donald Trump's announcement of a new 32 percent tariff on Indonesian imports. Airlangga, an official representative, stated that Indonesia was among the first countries to be received by the US government to address the continuation of the import tariff agreement. The country aims to strengthen commercial relations with the US and has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with US companies in the agriculture and energy sectors to purchase prominent US products and increase investment.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2026702/indonesias-tariff-negotiation-with-us-to-continue-for-three-weeksUS Senator Rubio met with foreign ministers from ASEAN countries, including Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim, during a diplomatic push aimed at strengthening regional trade and security. The meeting comes as the US has resumed defensive weapon shipments to Ukraine amid escalating air attacks by Russia. Trump's administration is seeking to counter China's growing influence in the region, but faces resistance from allies who are concerned about tariffs imposed on their industries. Rubio emphasized the importance of the Indo-Pacific region, where the US plans to prioritize maritime safety and security, while also addressing trade concerns with countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Malaysia. The meeting is seen as a test of Russia's willingness to make peace, following Trump's frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
https://wsvn.com/news/politics/rubio-says-u-s-and-russia-have-exchanged-new-ideas-for-ukraine-peace-talks/US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to meet with Southeast Asian counterparts in Kuala Lumpur, seeking to reassure them that the region remains a priority for Washington despite President Donald Trump's global tariff offensive. The trip aims to renew US focus on the Indo-Pacific and address concerns over Trump's tariffs on six ASEAN members, including Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea. Rubio will also meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, as part of efforts to counter China's diplomatic and economic influence in the region. The trip comes amid growing unease among Indo-Pacific nations about the US administration's willingness to engage diplomatically and economically with the region.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40371989/rubio-makes-first-visit-to-asia-as-trump-tariffs-loomThe US has imposed tariffs on certain goods, excluding semiconductors, motherboards, and integrated circuits, which are crucial components in global supply chains and bilateral trade with Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/what-you-think/2025/07/10/tariffs-intended-or-unintended-tool-for-regime-change-phar-kim-beng/183518European Union leaders have agreed to send a new diplomatic delegation to Libya after military leader Khalifa Haftar asked previous representatives to leave. The Team Europe initiative, which includes the EU, Greece, Italy, and Malta, will be re-deployed to Libya with a focus on solving problems in the country. The move comes amid a surge in irregular migration from Libya to Europe, with over 60,000 migrants landing in Greece last year. Greek authorities are struggling to provide basic services to migrants who have arrived on the island of Crete, which has reached capacity.
https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/07/10/eu-leaders-agree-to-send-delegation-to-libya-after-previous-group-expelled-from-countryPakistan's Director General of Inter-Services Public Relations (DG ISPR), Lt-Gen Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, has accused India of using terrorism to suppress Pakistan's rise, citing evidence of Indian terror financing and the use of criminal enterprises. He mentioned a specific case involving Major Sandeep, an Indian military intelligence officer, who allegedly operated a terror cell responsible for IED attacks in Pakistan. Chaudhry also referenced historical instances, such as the 1971 Mukti Bahini movement, to support his claims that India has historically used terrorism to destabilize Pakistan.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1327466-pakistan-never-backed-terrorists-bilawal