Amal Clooney may face sanctions from the US government due to her involvement in a case where she influenced the International Criminal Court to charge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant with war crimes in Gaza. The UK Foreign Office warned senior barristers about potential financial penalties and visa restrictions, following an executive order by Donald Trump that targeted ICC officials and their families for sanctions over "baseless" warrants issued in November.
https://nypost.com/2025/04/29/us-news/amal-clooney-could-be-barred-from-us-under-trump-sanctions-over-icc-case-against-netanyahu-report/U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggests that U.S. allies should negotiate with China as a group to gain more leverage in trade talks. In contrast, China is taking a more equal approach, having shifted its economy away from U.S. exports over the years and boasting the world's largest military.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/04/30/world/politics/xi-world-us-trump-deals/China and other BRICS countries criticized US President Donald Trump's trade protectionism at a meeting in Rio de Janeiro, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov attended. Brazil's Mauro Vieira said there was "absolute consensus" on trade conflicts and tariffs, but no joint statement was issued. The group rejected protectionism and emphasized the importance of multilateral cooperation, including on climate change. They also called for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and urged a lasting peace deal in Ukraine, while avoiding criticism of Russia's invasion of its neighbor.
https://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/nation/brics-blast-resurgence-of-protectionism-in-trump-era/article_4c952894-0b0b-5b41-9820-eaf8a33ac39a.htmlForeign ministers from Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Ethiopia, Indonesia, and Iran failed to reach a joint communique after meeting in Rio de Janeiro. Chair Brazil issued a statement criticizing trade protectionism, expressing "serious concern" about a fragmented global economy and weakening multilateralism. The US has implemented tariffs-focused trade policy under President Donald Trump, raising concerns about a global economic slowdown. Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira stated that the BRICS ministers had reached a consensus on tariffs, but no joint statement was issued.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/at-brics-summit-brazil-warns-against-protectionism-amid-trump-tariff-war-8290957Canada's new government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, is likely to have more flexibility in its dealings with China if tensions with the US persist. Analysts believe Ottawa will re-emphasize commercial relations with Beijing and engage in talks to remove trade barriers, particularly on issues like electric vehicles and critical minerals. This shift comes as Canada's appetite for aligning with the US on China policy is expected to wane due to voter hostility towards US President Donald Trump's trade war and aggressive rhetoric targeting Canada.
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3308440/canada-now-likely-has-more-latitude-work-china-if-us-tensions-persist-analysts?module=top_story&pgtype=sectionChina is gaining the upper hand in the US-China trade war as President Donald Trump's administration retreats from tariffs imposed on most countries, including those on Chinese imports. Wenran Jiang argues that Beijing's preparations for the tariff war have been long and strategic, positioning China to reshape the future global order.
https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3308197/china-has-upper-hand-trade-war-trump-flounders?module=top_story&pgtype=section#commentsThe European Union is considering moving forward with Moldova's accession process while leaving Ukraine behind due to Hungary's opposition. EU Enlargement Minister Marta Kos stated that a "decoupling" of the two countries is possible as early as June, when enlargement decisions are expected in Brussels. This decision comes after Hungary blocked Ukraine's membership drive, citing concerns over the rights of Hungarian-speaking minorities in Ukraine.
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-rubio-war-nebenzya-trump/33400754.htmlFrench MEP Nathalie Loiseau criticized the EU for being hypocritical in its response to Azerbaijan's aggression against Armenia, which is a democratic country under siege. The EU has been too cautious and focused on energy deals with Azerbaijan, allowing it to side with Russia while rebuking authoritarianism in Eastern Europe. Loiseau believes that supporting Armenia is not only morally right but also serves the EU's long-term interest in maintaining a stable, rules-based international order.
https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-kaja-kallas-azerbaijan-europe-baku-regional-tour/The European Parliament has imposed sanctions on several MEPs, including Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Miriam Lexmann, Reinhard Bütikofer, and Michael Gahler, in response to China's human rights violations, particularly against the Uyghurs. The EU has increased diplomatic contacts with China, with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez meeting President Xi in April and EU Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič holding exchanges with Chinese counterparts. A high-level EU-China summit is scheduled for July, but a spokesperson for the Chinese mission to the EU declined comment on the sanctions.
https://www.politico.eu/article/china-sanctions-eu-lawmakers-human-rights-trade-talks/