India's credit rating has been upgraded to 'BBB' by S°P Global due to its resilient economy and broad-based growth, driven by public investment and consumer momentum. Despite US President Donald Trump's threat of imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods, the impact is expected to be marginal, with only 1.2% of GDP exposed. The upgrade comes as a relief for the country, which had been facing pressure from the US over trade disputes.
India is working to fast-track free trade agreements (FTAs) amid higher US tariffs, according to Commerce Secretary Raghu Vemula. The move aims to boost economic growth and counter the impact of increased US tariffs on Indian exports. India has already signed FTAs with several countries, including the UK, Japan, and the UAE, and is in talks with other nations to expand its trade network.
India's foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal expressed hope for continued progress in relations with the US, following recent challenges and changes in plans. Despite initial reports suggesting a halt to military equipment purchases from Washington, Jaiswal confirmed that talks are ongoing. A U.S. defence policy team is expected to visit Delhi this month, contradicting earlier news of an Indian defence minister's cancelled trip to Washington.
Indonesia is attracting Chinese investment amid US trade tensions due to its relatively low 19% tariff rate for Indonesian goods, compared to China's over 30%. The surge in interest has led to a significant increase in enquiries from companies such as toy makers and electric vehicle manufacturers looking for facilities in the Subang Smartpolitan industrial park in West Java. With prices of industrial real estate and warehouses rising by 15-25% year-on-year, Chinese firms are seeking immediate opportunities, including temporary buildings, to capitalize on the tariff agreement.
The Indonesian government is exploring alternative markets for its DIY crafts, particularly in Europe, following the US's imposition of tariffs on its exports. The recent signing of the Indonesia-European Union Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IEU-CEPA) has opened up trade opportunities without high tariff barriers. To diversify its market, the Yogyakarta Regional Government is designing a scheme to connect small and medium industries with buyers from non-traditional markets like Spain. This move aims to reduce dependence on primary markets such as the US, which imposed tariffs of 15-50% on 67 countries after President Donald Trump's reciprocal import tariff policy took effect in August 2025.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is working with China and Russia to prevent European sanctions on Tehran's nuclear program from being reimposed by Britain, France, and Germany. The three European powers threatened to re-impose sanctions if a diplomatic solution was not found by the end of August, citing Iran's alleged violations of international obligations. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned that sanctions would be reinstated in October if Iran continues to violate its commitments under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement, which was collapsed after US President Donald Trump withdrew from it in 2018.
Lenovo, a Chinese PC maker, has expressed optimism over the US-China tariff pause, stating it's a positive sign for the global economy. The company's CEO, Yuanqing Yang, said the temporary reduction in tariffs will help stabilize trade and investment. This development comes as the US and China are engaged in ongoing trade negotiations to resolve their differences.
Norway's minister for climate and the environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, has expressed dissatisfaction with the current draft of a global plastics treaty, stating it is "unacceptable" and that Norway will not leave Geneva without a comprehensive approach. The High Ambition Coalition, led by Norway, aims to reduce plastic production, while countries like Mexico and Switzerland push for stronger provisions on sustainable production and consumption. Negotiations between 184 countries and over 600 organizations are ongoing, with some nations, including Fiji, calling for a formal treaty, while others, such as Ethiopia, suggest revisiting the talks if key articles on financing and lifecycle plastics cannot be agreed upon.
Russia and several Sahel states are holding consultations to discuss defense cooperation, led by Defense Minister Andrei Belousov and his Malian counterpart Sadio Camara. The talks aim to replace a Western-led alliance, with defense being the primary area of cooperation between the two parties.