US President Biden and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy discussed a potential weapons package with Patriot missile systems during their meeting at the NATO summit last week. The US Defense Department is reviewing its stockpiles, but did not specify which weapons are being held back. Zelenskyy hopes to see harsher sanctions imposed on Russia's energy and banking sectors, including a $30 per barrel price cap on Russian oil. EU envoy David O'Sullivan believes maintaining sanctions pressure while holding out the prospect of a ceasefire is key. Ukrainian officials await a sign from Trump that he will support deploying foreign troops in Ukraine as a security guarantee against future aggression.
https://apnews.com/article/russia-ukraine-war-offensives-ceasefire-c03921de21027d13117cb668c9a1a959Fiji's Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has expressed opposition to China setting up a military base in Pacific islands, citing strategic importance and rivalry between the US and China for security ties. He believes Beijing does not need such a base to project power, as demonstrated by last year's intercontinental ballistic missile test. Rabuka emphasized the need for Pacific leaders to adopt policies that are friendly to all nations, warning of potential consequences if conflict erupts over the Taiwan Strait.
https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/australasia/article/3316612/fiji-rejects-idea-chinese-military-bases-pacific-islands?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionFijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka has rejected China's growing influence in the Pacific, stating that Fiji would not welcome a permanent security presence. He emphasized the need for an "ocean of peace" free from superpower rivalries, and urged aid and development to be offered without strings attached. Rabuka also stressed that Fiji's interactions with Australia, New Zealand, and America should remain unaffected by China's involvement.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/07/03/world/asia-oceania/fiji-pm-no-to-chinese-army-presence-in-spacific/2142576US President Donald Trump's administration is racing against time to reach agreements with major trading partners before July 9, when tariffs could jump to higher levels if deals are not finalized. Negotiations have been ongoing with the European Union, Japan, India, Indonesia, South Korea, and Britain, but progress has been slow. The EU has proposed a universal 10% tariff on its exports, while seeking commitments from the US to reduce tariffs in key sectors such as pharmaceuticals and semiconductors. Trump has threatened to send letters to trading partners identifying their new tariff rates if deals are not reached, citing countries like Japan that have imposed restrictions on American goods. The US has already imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum from many countries, including Britain, which has seen its tariffs reduced to 10% for cars and aircraft engines. Talks with China are on a different track, with the two sides negotiating a broader trade deal set for August.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/07/02/ticking-clock-on-tariffs-where-major-us-trade-talks-stand-as-july-9-deadline-looms/182402US President Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on European goods if trade talks with the EU break down, suggesting a potential 30-35% tariff on certain products.
https://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2025/07/02/Trump-trade-deal-Vietnam-Japan/7931751471207/India-US trade talks are progressing with hopes of a successful conclusion, requiring "give and take" to find middle ground. US President Donald Trump expressed optimism about reaching a trade deal that would benefit American firms in India, potentially lowering tariffs for New Delhi. However, he cast doubt on meeting the July 9 deadline for higher levies with Japan. The US and India also discussed defence ties, with Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth expressing hope to complete pending defence sales and expand cooperation efforts.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/us-marco-rubios-big-praise-for-busy-man-s-jaishankar-at-quad-8811269India strongly condemned a terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which killed 25 Indian nationals and one Nepali citizen. The attack was carried out by Pakistan-based groups, prompting India to suspend the Indus Water Treaty with Pakistan and launch Operation Sindoor to target terror bases. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar condemned the attack at a Quad Foreign Ministers' meet in Washington, DC, calling for zero tolerance towards terrorism and urging his partners to understand India's right to defend its people against terrorism.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/perpetrators-should-be-brought-to-justice-quad-leaders-on-pahalgam-attack-8810820Indian exporters are cautiously optimistic as the deadline for US tariffs looms, with talks between New Delhi and Washington ongoing. The US has imposed 26% reciprocal tariffs on India due to trade deficits, affecting key exports such as electronics, gems, and shrimp. However, some Indian officials, including Ajay Sahai, Director General of the Federation of Indian Export Organisations, believe that a bilateral agreement may be possible, with positive developments reported in the talks. The US President has hinted at a potential deal, describing it as "going to be a different kind of a deal".
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/business/india-exporters-cautiously-optimistic-as-us-tariff-deadline-looms-2?utm_source=most-popular-businessUS-India trade negotiations have stalled due to disagreements over tariffs, with India facing a potential tariff rate increase from 10% to 27%. Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar expressed optimism about the talks, stating they are "in the middle — hopefully more than the middle — of a very intricate trade negotiation". The US is prioritizing securing trade deals with countries like India ahead of Japan, with a July 9 deadline looming for a tariff pause to end.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1325879-us-eyes-trade-pact-with-india-amid-tariff-talks-japan-deal-uncertain