Switzerland Seeks Better Deal with US Amid Trade Dispute
8.7.25
Switzerland is considering additional talks with the US over a potential deal to secure better terms after the EU agreed to buy $750 billion worth of US energy products at a 15% tariff rate. The EU's concessions, including increased defence spending and investment in the US, were crucial in clinching the deal. Switzerland has already purchased military hardware from the US, including Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets worth $9.56 billion. Swiss politicians have called for the F-35 deal to be scrapped due to the trade dispute, but the government is focused on sweetening its offer to Washington.
Russia withdrew from the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in response to the US withdrawal, following Donald Trump's decision to exit the treaty in 2019. The INF, signed between the US and Soviet Union in 1987, banned intermediate- and short-range nuclear missiles between 500 to 5,500 km range. This move is part of a pattern of arms control treaties that Trump has abandoned, including the Open Skies Treaty with Russia, which allowed for joint aerial surveillance over each other's territories.
Trump, Lee to Forge Strategic Alliance in Washington
8.7.25
US President Donald Trump's upcoming summit with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung in Washington is expected to focus on elevating their bilateral alliance into a 'comprehensive strategic alliance', excluding discussions on South Korea's role in a potential Taiwan conflict. The US has reportedly informed Seoul that it will not raise the issue, while South Korea's cautious stance on China aligns with President Lee's emphasis on fostering ties and engagement.
US President Donald Trump is considering a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in person next week as part of efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The meeting could take place soon, according to a White House official. In recent days, US President Donald Trump made phone calls to both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin amid tensions over Russia's ongoing conflict in Ukraine. A meeting between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian leadership in Moscow was also held earlier that day, which the Kremlin described as
The US acknowledged a lack of convergence on plastic-related provisions after a Nairobi meeting, with each country advised to take measures according to its national context. Greenpeace USA's John Hocevar criticized the US delegation under Trump for using financial pressure to influence other governments' positions, likening it to "old school bullying".
US Imposes Tariffs on Brazil, South Africa, Others
8.7.25
The US has imposed tariffs on several countries, including Laos, Myanmar, Syria, Brazil, and South Africa. The tariffs range from 30% to 50%, with the highest rate applied to precious gems and metals exported by South Africa. This move is in response to concerns over the treatment of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.
The US has imposed a 100% tariff on semiconductors imported from countries not producing in the US or planning to do so, but exempted companies like SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics that have made commitments to manufacture chips in the US. The move is aimed at China, while South Korea's trade envoy confirmed that Samsung and SK Hynix will not be subject to 100% U.S. tariffs due to their Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status under a bilateral trade deal with the US. Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC is likely not affected due to its existing US factories. The US has a $52.7 billion semiconductor subsidy program and has convinced top firms to locate chip factories in the country. The agreement is seen as a significant step towards normalizing relations between the two countries, which had been strained due to disagreements over trade policies and security concerns.
US President Trump has announced plans to impose tariffs on imports from various countries, including Canada, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Serbia, and India, with rates ranging from 10% to 50%. A trade deal with the European Union includes a 15% import tariff on most EU goods, while a deal with South Korea reduces planned levies to 15%. The tariffs are imposed due to concerns over Russian oil imports, particularly after India's continued purchase of Russian oil. The move comes amid strained ties between the US and India following Operation Sindoor, a counterstrike by India after a terror attack in Kashmir that left 26 innocents dead. India has expressed disappointment over the US tariffs, citing market factors aimed at ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion people.
The US-India relationship has faced challenges, particularly under President Joe Biden's administration. Despite cooperation on civilian nuclear technology since 2008 and expanded interactions through the Quad grouping, issues such as immigration, deportation, H1B visas for tech workers, and intelligence sharing have become partisan and explosive. The relationship was strained in February when Indians were deported by US military planes, and it was further tested in late 2023 when the US foiled a plot with Indian links to kill a Sikh separatist leader on US soil.