Singapore's C-130 transport craft will conduct airdrop operations alongside foreign air forces at the invitation of the Jordanian government, delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza. This is the second time the aircraft has been used for such operations since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023. Singapore has sent nine tranches of assistance worth over $22 million to Gaza, with 58 military personnel deployed for this operation.
US President Donald Trump has extended a 90-day tariff truce with China, avoiding triple-digit duties on each other's goods ahead of the holiday season. The truce was set to expire on Tuesday but will continue until further talks can be held after Trump signed an executive order suspending higher tariffs until November 10.
US Pushes for China to Address Trade Deficit Concerns
8.11.25
The US is seeking limited agreements with China to address its massive $262 billion trade deficit, citing lax intellectual property protection and unfair industrial policies that give Chinese firms an advantage in world markets. The proposed deals include increased purchases of American soybeans and efforts to curb fentanyl production and rare-earth magnet exports. However, a former US diplomat predicts the trade war will continue for years due to lingering issues. US President Trump has proposed that China increase soybean orders to balance trade with the US, but his
The US has made last-minute changes to tariffs on imports from Bangladesh and India, reducing Bangladesh's tariff to 20% but increasing it to 25% for India, with an additional 25% scheduled for August 27 over India's purchase of Russian oil.
US Tariffs Boost Trade with Eurozone, Japan, Korea
8.11.25
The wholesale trade and transportation sectors experienced a boost from front-loading activities ahead of US tariff measures. The US' 90-day tariff truce with several trading partners, including the eurozone, Japan, South Korea, and Southeast Asian economies, led to reduced reciprocal tariffs. As a result, the growth of Singapore's major trading partners in 2H 2025 is expected to moderate from 1H 2025. However, significant uncertainties remain due to US trade policies, particularly sectoral tariffs on pharmaceutical products and semiconductors.
The US and China clashed at the UN over the Panama Canal, with the US warning that China's growing influence could disrupt global trade and security, while China accused the US of using this as a pretext to gain control over the waterway.
Australia is set to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, following similar moves by France, Britain, and Canada, under conditions that include no role for Hamas in government, demilitarization of Gaza, and holding elections. The move aims to break the cycle of violence in the Middle East and comes amid growing criticism of Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu's plans for a new military offensive in Gaza.
Israel's Gaza Occupation Plan Sparks Global Backlash
8.11.25
The UN Security Council, except for the US, has condemned Israel's plan to occupy Gaza, with Russia, China, Britain, and France expressing strong opposition. Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Dmitry Polyanskiy called the decision a
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending a tariff truce with China by another 90 days, following a noncommittal answer from him regarding the extension of lower tariff rates. The truce was set to expire on Tuesday at midnight, but the new order will keep tariffs at current levels until further talks can be held.