NewsFeed

April 20, 2025

Japan Seeks Tariff Rollback from US President Trump

US President Trump has made progress in tariff talks with Japan, but the country is seeking to roll back tariffs imposed by Trump as part of a trade offensive. FinMin Aurangzeb is currently in the US attending World Bank and IMF Spring 2025 meetings.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1303211-japan-considers-relaxing-car-safety-rule-for-imports-in-us-tariff-talks

April 20, 2025

Trump's Ceasefire Plan Hits Russian Roadblock

US President Donald Trump's proposed unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine remains unchanged, but Russian officials are delaying discussions on the condition of "denazification" of Ukraine, a goal set by Vladimir Putin when launching the invasion in February 2022. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned European diplomats that Trump is losing patience and may walk away from peace talks if no agreement is reached soon. Trump hopes to reach a deal quickly, but has suggested pulling back if negotiations become too difficult. A meeting between US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian officials is planned to discuss the proposed framework. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky proposed extending Putin's unilateral ceasefire to 30 days, while Ukraine and Russia recently exchanged prisoners in the largest swap since the invasion began.

https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/965484-isw-vladimir-putin-procrastinates-and-pressures-trump-in-ukraine-peace-talks

April 20, 2025

US and Iran Resume Nuclear Talks in Muscat

The US and Iran resumed high-stakes talks on Tehran's nuclear programme, a week after indirect discussions in Muscat. The talks come as Western countries have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, an allegation Tehran denies. US President Donald Trump abandoned a landmark nuclear accord in 2018, leading to a breakdown in diplomatic relations between the two nations since Iran's 1979 Islamic revolution.

https://www.jordantimes.com/news/local/jordan-welcomes-outcome-second-round-us-iran-talks

April 20, 2025

Grossi Warns Iran Nears Nuclear Bomb Capability

The United Nations nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, warns that Iran is close to possessing a nuclear bomb, citing its current uranium enrichment of up to 60%, far above the agreed limit. The US has urged European countries to trigger the "snapback" mechanism under the 2015 agreement, which would reinstate UN sanctions on Iran for non-compliance. Iran's compliance with the deal was scaled back after the US withdrew from it in Trump's first term, and tensions are high as the mechanism's expiration date approaches in October.

https://channelnewsasia.com/world/us-iran-report-progress-nuclear-talks-will-meet-again-5076146

April 20, 2025

US-Iran Talks Resume in Muscat, Oman Next Week

US officials have confirmed another meeting with Iran next week, but a location has not been specified. The third round of talks will take place in Muscat, Oman, where the first discussions occurred last week. US President Donald Trump's withdrawal from a nuclear accord in 2018 halted high-level talks between the US and Iran. Western countries have accused Iran of seeking nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies for peaceful civilian purposes. Oman's Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi stated that negotiations are gaining momentum, aiming to secure a fair deal ensuring Iran is free of nuclear weapons and sanctions while maintaining its ability to develop peaceful nuclear energy.

https://www.gulftoday.ae/news/2025/04/20/us-iran-report-progress-in-nuclear-talks-will-meet-again

April 20, 2025

Rubio Meets Ukrainian Minister to Discuss Ceasefire Guarantees

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha discussed potential peace solutions with US Senator Marco Rubio and Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, focusing on a full ceasefire, international cooperation through a multinational contingent, and guarantees for Ukraine's security.

https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/965504-us-issues-ultimatum-to-mediate-between-russia-and-ukraine

April 20, 2025

US-China Trade Talks Reach Stalemate Under Tariffs

The US-China trade negotiations have reached a stalemate, with the US imposing a 145% hike on Chinese imports and China raising tariffs on US imports to 125%. The tariff war has led to President Xi Jinping's refusal to seek a meeting with US President Trump, indicating that China is unlikely to capitulate. The situation suggests that time is of the essence for a resolution, but it remains unclear how long the impasse will last.

https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3306942/could-asean-help-jump-start-us-china-trade-negotiations?module=top_story&pgtype=section

April 20, 2025

Economists Slam Trump's Tariffs as Harmful and Inefficient

Several prominent economists, including Nobel laureates Paul Romer and Esther Duflo, have signed a letter expressing their opposition to US President Donald Trump's tariffs. The letter, which was published in the Indian newspaper Firstpost, criticizes the tariffs as "harmful" and "inefficient".

https://www.firstpost.com/world/united-states/prominent-economists-including-2-nobel-laureates-sign-letter-condemning-trump-tariffs-13881415.html

April 20, 2025

Grossi Warns of Iran's Nuclear Progress Underway

The United Nations nuclear watchdog chief, Rafael Grossi, has expressed concerns about Iran's progress towards developing a nuclear bomb, stating it is "not far" away. He also noted that talks with Iran are at a critical stage, following the US withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear accord between Iran and world powers during Donald Trump's presidency.

https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/us-iran-report-progress-in-nuclear-talks-will-meet-again-208254