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.
The US has reached framework agreements with eight major trading partners on trade and investment concessions, reducing basic tariff rates. The EU, Japan, and South Korea will see their rates lowered to 15%, while Britain's rate is set at 10%. Vietnam, Indonesia, Pakistan, and the Philippines have agreed to rates of up to 19% or 20%.
Apple's shares rose 1.6% in Frankfurt trade after committing an additional $100 billion in US investments, easing concerns about the impact of Washington's tariffs on semiconductor imports. President Donald Trump announced a new 100% tariff rate that would not apply to companies like Apple that have made a commitment to manufacture in the US. Citi analysts stated that concerns over incremental tariff impact on Apple have eased.
Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to end their border dispute after a five-day conflict that resulted in at least 43 deaths and displaced over 300,000 people. The two countries' top defence officials met in Malaysia to establish guidelines for resolving future disputes, restoring trust between their military forces, and agreeing on ceasefire measures. US President Donald Trump had previously threatened to halt tariff negotiations unless there was peace, but reduced the proposed tariff from 49% to 19%. Cambodia's deputy prime minister welcomed the reduction as a gesture of goodwill. The agreement comes after Pakistan nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in June, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also nominated him last month.
Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, chaired a meeting to review the country's Emigration, Overseas Employment and TVET policy. The ministry presented an overview of diaspora trends and emerging opportunities for skilled labor exports globally. Dar emphasized the need to invest in quality skill development, explore new sectors and destinations, and align Pakistan's human capital with global market demands. The meeting aimed to boost remittances, expand employment opportunities abroad, and enhance Pakistan's global competitiveness, while prioritizing the welfare of the diaspora as a policy pillar.
The production of single-use plastic products is a major contributor to global plastic pollution. According to Thompson, only 9% of plastic produced globally is recycled, and he advocates for a treaty that limits plastic production, reduces the use of chemicals, and promotes a circular economy of reuse. Graham Forbes, head of Greenpeace's delegation to treaty negotiations, warns that uncontrolled plastic production is catastrophic, and world leaders must take action in Geneva to address the issue and create a healthier future.
India's foreign policy autonomy is likely to be strengthened by the recent tariffs imposed by the US, as New Delhi seeks to resist what it perceives as US overreach. This may lead to pragmatic cooperation with Russia and China, but not an alliance of shared values. India remains committed to its strategic partnership with the US in areas like defense interoperability and technology transfer, but is making clear that this partnership cannot be based on obedience. The US-India relationship is bounded by structural competition, with differing visions for global order. India's efforts to build sovereign technology stacks and resist foreign data colonialism may accelerate its determination to shape global rules, potentially leading to a more multipolar world where India asserts its priorities and demands equal footing.
Indonesia is set to finalize trade agreements with Canada and the Eurasian Economic Union by the end of 2025. The country also expects to sign a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union in September, following high-level political discussions between Indonesia's government and the European Commission. Indonesian Minister Santoso aims to complete several trade agreements this year, hoping they will boost exports and expand global reach. President Boluarte is scheduled to visit Indonesia next week, following a reciprocal visit by President Prabowo Subianto to Peru in November 2024, where cooperation was discussed on economic partnership and drug eradication.