A think tank has criticized US President Donald Trump's reciprocal tariff on South Korea, labeling it as a "political" move. Meanwhile, Seoul is racing against time to finalize a trade deal before the exemption period ends, with top trade negotiator Kim Do-yeon holding talks with her US counterparts in Washington.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-06-28/business/economy/Tariff-deals-could-be-wrapped-up-by-Labor-Day-Bessent-says-as-talks-pick-up/2340877UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has reached an agreement in principle with Sudan's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to a weeklong ceasefire in El-Fasher, a city under siege by the paramilitary group led by Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. The ceasefire aims to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians who are starving and trapped in the city. Guterres made the call after visiting the city, where shelling has killed 13 people, including three children, and injured 21 others. The UN is seeking a predictable and time-bound pause to facilitate safe humanitarian movements into and out of El-Fasher, with Assistant Secretary-General Martha Pobee suggesting that similar pauses could be applied to other areas in Sudan.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/un-working-for-ceasefire-in-besieged-sudan-city/article_8b3843e3-5bbd-5113-9c56-659b4dd6487a.htmlThe US State Department has approved $30 million in funding for the Global Humanitarian Forum (GHF), a UN-led operation, to support humanitarian efforts in conflict zones. The move comes as tensions between Israel and Hamas continue, with both countries accusing each other of stealing aid from UN operations. The GHF is expected to receive additional funding support from other countries, following the US approval.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/un-chief-slams-us-backed-gaza-aid-operation-it-killing-peopleUS-India trade negotiations are nearing a critical deadline as both countries work to finalize their Bilateral Trade Agreement. Piyush Goyal described the deal as an opportunity to expand bilateral trade and strengthen ties between America and India. However, talks have hit roadblocks over US demands for reduced duties on agricultural products and market access for genetically modified crops, which India is resistant to due to concerns over food security, environmental protection, and domestic farming welfare.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/i-think-we-are-going-to-reach-a-deal-donald-trump-on-trade-deal-with-india-8779606A US official stated that while there are concerns about US-China competition, the US Department of Commerce and USTR are currently focused on economic issues in negotiations with Korea. The official also mentioned that Korea has not received a "tariff letter" from President Trump, which was promised to countries that fail to strike a deal, but emphasized efforts to reduce uncertainty and pursue a pragmatic resolution until the end.
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-06-28/business/economy/No-assurance-yet-from-US-on-extending-tariff-grace-period-Korean-official-says/2340923The US has announced plans to cancel restrictive measures against China and may extend tariffs on dozens of economies until July 9, as previously halted during trade negotiations. The White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, left the possibility of further delay open, stating it would be a decision for President Trump to make.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2022304/china-us-confirm-framework-for-trade-dealThe US State Department has imposed economic sanctions on four judges involved in an investigation and issuing warrants at the International Criminal Court (ICC), following an executive order signed by former US President Trump in February. Akane, a representative from The Hague, emphasized the importance of maintaining the ICC's presence and called on Japan and other member states to take a stand against the US actions, urging Washington to reconsider its decision.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/06/28/world/crime-legal/tomoko-akane-criticizes-us-sanctions/US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that trade deals with 18 main US trading partners could be finalized by Labor Day, citing progress in talks with China and new revisions to a rare earths deal. The Trump administration has sent a proposal to the European Union and received an Indian delegation in Washington for further discussions, indicating countries are approaching the US with "very good deals".
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/06/28/economy/scott-bessent-trade-deals/Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated at the "Fair Play" conference that Russian missiles and drones rely on components sourced from various countries through schemes. He mentioned that Western countries continue to supply Russia with equipment, including metal-cutting machines from 12 countries: China, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and the US. Contracts for 2026 have already been signed, according to Zelensky.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/982042-volodymyr-zelensky-the-west-supplies-components-to-moscow-for-weapons-production