Ukraine's President Zelenskyy revealed that China has been secretly supplying weapons to Russia, including gunpowder and artillery, despite previous denials from Beijing. The revelation comes amid close economic and political ties between China and Russia, which have strengthened since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Allegations of Chinese involvement in supplying Russia with weapons and materials for drone production have been ongoing, but the Chinese government has consistently denied any direct involvement.
https://www.politico.eu/article/china-deny-volodymyr-zelenskyy-claim-provide-weapon-russia-lin-jian/Cambodia and Vietnam's decision to reduce tariffs on American products in response to US tariff pressures on China highlights that economic calculations, not diplomatic history, drive loyalty in global trade. By prioritizing buyers over sellers, these export-oriented countries prioritize foreign exchange and domestic industry continuity. Losing a buyer means losing income, while losing a seller increases supply chain costs, but can be replaced. Cambodia's move demonstrates that countries can diversify their imports from other nations like Vietnam, India, or Eastern European countries, making Chinese products less essential in the global market.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/352089/indonesias-opportunities-amid-us-china-trade-tensions?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popular_rightChina and Russia have announced a new phase of cooperation in Antarctica, with plans to reopen and modernize the Russkaya station in Russia and build a new station, as well as a runway for long-haul aircraft. This collaboration is seen as a significant development, given China's submission of its draft Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation for its proposed sixth station and Russia's commitment to transparency and environmental standards. The joint endeavor may be linked to previous collaborations between the two countries in other parts of Antarctica, such as the Larsemann Hills region, where they have worked together on projects like a joint deep glacier drilling operation. This cooperation raises concerns about potential challenges to US national interests, but is within the bounds of international law and the Antarctic Treaty.
https://www.csis.org/analysis/what-can-united-states-do-counter-growing-chinese-and-russian-influence-antarcticaUS President Trump has expressed frustration with the ongoing conflict in Europe, suggesting that other countries should handle the issue. In the US, an apparatus battle is brewing between Rubio's faction, which is likely to emerge victorious. The expert believes that due to existing sanctions on Russia and limited support for Ukraine, there are no prospects for increased US backing for Ukraine, with Trump stating he doesn't see a scenario where the US would open all its reserves for Ukraine or provide everything needed.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/965237-ukrainian-expert-war-is-a-decreasing-priority-for-the-us-they-will-most-likely-leave-it-to-europeUS President Donald Trump has signaled an end to tit-for-tat tariff hikes with China, expressing optimism about a potential deal. He stated that increasing tariffs further could lead to reduced sales, and China had been in touch since the imposition of tariffs.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-signals-tit-for-tat-china-tariffs-may-be-near-end-tiktok-deal-on-ice-20250418-p5lsr9.htmlBeijing has denied providing lethal weapons to any party in the Ukraine war, with Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stating that China strictly controls dual-use items. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed he had information about Chinese arms supplies to Russia, but did not elaborate on his accusations. Beijing maintains its position on the Ukraine issue is consistent and clear, with a focus on promoting peace talks.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2025/04/18/china-denies-arming-russia-after-zelensky-claims-beijing-supplying-lethal-weapons-in-ukraine-war/173590Beijing has denied providing lethal weapons to any party in the Ukraine war, contradicting President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's claim of receiving information about China supplying arms to Russia. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that China strictly controls dual-use items and has never provided lethal weapons.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/04/18/world/asia-oceania/china-says-never-provided-lethal-weapons-to-parties-in-ukraine-war/2094941IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva warned that a reboot of the global trading system, sparked by US tariffs and retaliation from China and the European Union, has created "off the charts" uncertainty in trade policy and financial markets. The IMF's new growth projections will include notable markdowns but not recession, with higher inflation forecasts for some countries. Elevated uncertainty raises the risk of financial market stress, with Georgieva citing recent US Treasury yield curve movements as a warning. The US has imposed 10% tariffs on goods from all countries and higher rates for some, prompting retaliatory measures from China, the EU, and other countries.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40358322/imf-expects-no-global-recessionIndonesia has initiated direct negotiations with the US over tariffs, led by Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, who began discussions in the US on April 15, 2025. The delegation aims to remove US tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers, as well as propose mutually beneficial cooperation in investment and the financial sector. Indonesia plans to invite American investment while exploring opportunities for Indonesian companies to invest in the US, with a proposed increase of $10bn in US energy imports.
https://en.tempo.co/read/1998077/sri-mulyani-discusses-trade-tariffs-with-u-s-ambassador