Philippines Tensions with China Escalate Over South China Sea
8.11.25
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos sparked a diplomatic row with China after making remarks that prompted Beijing to lodge a protest, accusing him of
Russian House Backs Global Press Freedom Initiatives
8.11.25
International solidarity is crucial for protecting journalists, particularly those in life-threatening situations. A roundtable discussion emphasized the need for legal and diplomatic support, as well as cooperation between civil society and journalistic organizations worldwide. The Russian House pledged to continue supporting projects that protect freedom of speech and honor the memories of fallen journalists.
South Korean customs officials met with their Chinese counterparts to strengthen cooperation on trade regulations. In a separate incident, South Korea's customs agency fined two companies for evading tariffs on steel exports to Europe, seizing hundreds of bottles of Rush at Incheon Airport. The agency plans to recover the evaded taxes and may launch criminal investigations if serious violations are found. Antidumping duties were imposed on imported goods priced below fair market value, aimed at protecting local businesses from unfair competition.
Taiwan is seeking a more reasonable tariff rate from the US, with negotiations ongoing under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. The country aims to continue its talks concurrently with a national security probe. Taiwan has a significant trade deficit with the US, mainly due to semiconductors and tech products, which are also key components in the exports of companies like Nvidia, for which Taiwanese chip maker TSMC is a major supplier.
US President Donald Trump's policies are causing significant damage to the global economy, according to Ambrose Evans-Pritchard. The "economic phoney war" of the past six months has ended, and its effects are being felt worldwide. Trump's actions have led to a decline in investor confidence, causing stock markets to fluctuate and interest rates to rise. This is particularly concerning for countries heavily reliant on international trade, such as Australia, which imports many goods from the US.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has received diplomatic backing from Europe and NATO ahead of a Russia-US summit, where he fears pressure to surrender land as part of a potential deal. The European Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee has warned that any settlement must involve Ukraine's democratically elected leadership and its people, while NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte emphasized the focus on Ukrainian territories under Russian control, prioritizing sovereignty and security guarantees. Russia seeks to weaken US-Europe-Ukraine cohesion to hinder Western support for Ukraine, with no intention of compromising on strategic goals such as preventing Ukraine's NATO membership or demilitarizing the country.
Austria Backs US Diplomatic Efforts on Ukraine Conflict
8.11.25
Austria supports US efforts to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine through diplomacy, emphasizing Ukraine's direct participation in decision-making processes. Austrian Foreign Ministry officials stated their backing for the US high-level diplomatic efforts, while also stressing that no decisions regarding Ukraine should be made without its involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky believes Putin seeks to exchange a pause in the war for legitimization of Russia's occupation of part of Ukraine's territory.
The German business community has committed to providing Ukraine with material assistance, know-how, and investments as a long-term commitment to future EU membership. Chairperson Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser emphasized the need for a legally secure environment for private sector investments and reconstruction. The 8th German-Ukrainian Business Forum is scheduled for December 15, 2025, in Berlin. Trade with Russia has been significantly impacted by the war of aggression, with bilateral trade decreasing by 13% in the first half of 2025. Germany's imports from Russia dropped by 37% to EUR 667 million, while exports decreased by 6% to EUR 3.5 billion, mainly due to exemptions for medicines and humanitarian goods.
Iran held talks with European powers last month, with Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi stating discussions will continue, but no new dates have been set. European governments warned that if progress is not made by the end of August, they will re-impose UN sanctions against Iran, which Tehran claims would "end" Europe's role in the nuclear dossier. Talks were initially scheduled for June 15, but were cancelled due to the war between Iran and the US.