Indonesia and the US have reached a deal where Indonesia will impose a 19-percent tariff on its exports to the US, while US products are exempt from tariffs and non-tariff barriers. The new rate is lower than the previous 32 percent and is now one of the lowest in Southeast Asia. Copper concentrates and copper cathodes are among the commodities that will be exempt from import duties as part of a strategic discussion on mineral trade between the two countries.
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung is set to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Chinese Premier Li Kejian, amid tensions between the two countries and as he navigates his relationship between Beijing and Washington. The visit comes as South Korea seeks to strengthen its relations with Japan and address historical issues, including Japan's wartime aggression and compensation for forced laborers.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to China on August 31 for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit has sparked debate about India's geopolitical alignment. Carnegie Endowment scholar Ashley J. Tellis argues that India should align more closely with the US, citing American backing as a means to counterbalance China. However, India's complex relationships with its neighbors and its commitment to Russia have led it to hedge its bets. The visit comes after a recent surge in tensions between India and China, including a 2020 clash at Galwan in the Himalayas. Despite potential issues, such as the succession of the Dalai Lama, Chinese state media has highlighted Modi's visit, while the US is waiting for the annual Quad summit in New Delhi later this year to gauge the strength of its relationship with India.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer joined a call with Norwegian Prime Minister Stoltenberg, who declined to discuss the details of their conversation about the Nobel Peace Prize. The prize is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, whose five members are appointed by Norway's parliament, following the will of Swedish industrialist Alfred Nobel. The announcement typically occurs in October in Oslo, and this year's selection process is ongoing as talks between Norway and the US over tariffs continue, with the White House having recently imposed a 15% tariff on Norwegian imports.
Talks for a legally binding treaty to tackle plastic pollution at the United Nations in Geneva went into overtime on August 14, with negotiations adjourned until Friday. The International Negotiating Committee (INC), led by chair Luis Vayas Valdivieso, is working towards a global treaty to address plastic pollution. Countries such as Panama, Kenya, Britain, and the European Union are pushing for an ambitious treaty that includes measures on the full life cycle of plastic pollution, while oil-producing nations like those in the Middle East oppose curbs on virgin plastics derived from petroleum, coal, and gas.
South Asian Free Media Association Secretary General Imtiaz Alam urged Pakistani and Indian leaders to end hostilities and engage in dialogue to address disputes peacefully. He emphasized the need for verifiable nuclear and missile risk reduction measures, including reliable hotlines and confidence-building dialogues. Alam stressed that true strength lies in development, not destruction, and called for lifting trade barriers and fostering people-to-people contact to combat poverty and climate change. Renowned academician Dr. Waseem also advocated for reduced tension between the two nations, citing historical anti-Pakistan sentiments in India and anti-India policies in Pakistan.
South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung announced plans to resume inter-Korean cooperation, aiming to restore the September 19 Military Agreement signed in 2018. The agreement was designed to reduce tension along their shared border, but Pyongyang effectively terminated it after Seoul suspended parts of the deal amid heightened tensions. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung plans to revive a 2018 military agreement with North Korea aimed at reducing border tensions. The agreement, reached during a brief period of diplomacy between Kim Jong Un and former liberal President Moon Jae-in, created buffer zones on land and sea and no-fly zones above the border. Lee's overture comes amid soaring tensions fueled by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's nuclear ambitions and deepening ties with Russia over the war in Ukraine. South Korea's new government has signaled a commitment to easing inter-Korean tensions as part of its North Korea policy, which prioritizes peacebuilding over conflict. The country's first step was halting propaganda leaflets and loudspeaker broadcasts near the DMZ, followed by dismantling related facilities, prompting North Korea to end its own broadcasts. This move is seen as a break from hostile practices and could start a process of rebuilding trust in Northeast Asia.
US President Donald Trump has shifted his tone on Russia's involvement in the conflict, acknowledging that some aspects of their stance are not bad. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized the need for "security guarantees" for Ukraine. Trump had previously backed Russia's stance on Ukraine joining NATO but now warns of "very severe consequences" if Putin does not accept US overtures. The two leaders will meet at the Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska, with Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov confirming a one-on-one format with interpreters. Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky received support from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and met with him in London, while Russia has made significant gains on the ground ahead of the summit, including advancing up to 10 kilometers in a narrow section of the front line.
The UAE has facilitated the exchange of 84 Ukrainian and 84 Russian captives, bringing the total number exchanged through its mediation efforts to 4,349. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised Russia and Ukraine for their cooperation with the UAE's mediation endeavors, reflecting the confidence in the UAE's role in resolving the crisis between the two countries.