International Relations NewsFeed

US Government Seeks to Deport Immigrants to South Sudan

The US government's plan to use an 18th-century law to deport a group of immigrants from Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, and Vietnam is facing a crucial test in court. The Supreme Court had previously ruled that no immigrant could be sent to a new country without a chance for a court hearing, but the decision was later vacated. A Massachusetts court's ruling had prohibited the government from moving the immigrants further than Djibouti, where they were initially flown. However, after a new order from Judge Moss, the immigrants can now be moved to South Sudan. Lawyers for the immigrants have filed an emergency request to halt their removal, and a hearing is scheduled for Friday afternoon.

https://www.firstpost.com/world/us-federal-court-pauses-deportations-to-south-sudan-seeks-review-of-due-process-concerns-13903261.html

US Imposes Tariffs on Pakistan's $3 Billion Surplus

The US imposed a 29% tariff on Pakistani exports in April due to a $3 billion trade surplus, but agreed to a 90-day pause for negotiations. Pakistan responded by forming high-level groups and proposing incentives for US investment in mining and tariff reductions on select imports. Formal talks began on May 30 between the Ministry of Finance and the US Trade Representative, with an agreement to fast-track a roadmap and reach a deal "as soon as possible". The deadline for the 90-day pause expires on July 9, or else tariffs could be reinstated, jeopardizing $5 billion in Pakistani exports. Meanwhile, India is also negotiating a trade deal with the US, aiming to boost bilateral trade from $190bn to $500bn by 2030, after Trump branded it a "tariff king" and accused it of being a "big abuser" of trade ties.

https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1326552-ahead-of-july-9-deadline-pakistan-bd-india-finalising-trade-deals-with-us

Xi Jinping Boosts Global South Cooperation Efforts

Xi Jinping is championing the cause of the Global South through the BRICS mechanism, a platform for promoting cooperation among countries in this region. The Global South encompasses emerging markets and developing countries, including those in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Xi's efforts aim to strengthen ties with nations such as Brazil, Russia, India, and South Africa, which are part of the BRICS grouping.

https://www.the-star.co.ke/news/world/2025-07-05-xi-jinping-champions-the-cause-of-global-south

Xiao Qian Warns Against 'Hyped' China Threat Narrative

Chinese Ambassador Xiao Qian has criticized countries for "hyped up" the China threat narrative, urging Australia not to be swayed by NATO's support for sharply increasing defense spending. He warned that such a move would place a heavy fiscal burden on nations and strain the global economy. The comments come ahead of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's visit to China, as the country faces pressure from the US to raise its defense spending to 3.5% of GDP, currently at around 2%.

https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3317004/chinese-ambassadors-grandstanding-advice-australia-raises-eyebrows?module=top_story&pgtype=section#comments

India Rejects Trade Deal Under Pressure from US

India's Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has stated that his country negotiates from a position of strength, not under deadlines. He made these remarks on Saturday, a day after saying India would accept a proposed trade deal with the US only when it is fully finalised and in the national interest. Goyal accused the Congress of signing deals during the UPA government's tenure that were not in the national interest.

https://indiatoday.in/india/story/piyush-goyal-on-india-us-trade-deal-says-india-will-negotiate-from-position-of-strength-2751315-2025-07-05

Indonesia Seeks Tariff Breakthrough with US by July 9

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto is hopeful that negotiations with the US will yield results soon, potentially leading to lower tariffs than those imposed on Vietnam. The Indonesian government plans to sign a $34 billion energy import and investment deal with the US, including a commitment to import energy worth $15.5 billion. US President Donald Trump has set a July 9 deadline for reciprocal tariff negotiations, which have already been agreed upon by several countries, including Vietnam and the UK. In contrast, talks with Japan are stalled due to disagreements over tariffs and trade imbalances, with Trump threatening to raise tariffs by up to 35% if an agreement is not reached before the deadline.

https://en.tempo.co/read/2024927/tariff-talks-underway-between-us-and-several-countries

Indonesia Struggles with Five Empty Ambassadorial Posts

Indonesia is facing a significant challenge with five vacant ambassadorial positions, including those for the United States, North Korea, Libya, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. The longest-running vacancy is in Libya since 2017, while the US position has been empty since July 2023. Indonesian Deputy Chairperson Dave Akbarshah Fikarno Laksono emphasized the importance of a US ambassador, citing the country's strategic partnership in various sectors such as economics and defense. The current ambassadorial vacuum was caused by Rosan Roeslani being recalled to Indonesia to assume the role of Deputy Minister of State-Owned Enterprises, but Dave clarified that this does not diminish the US's importance.

https://en.tempo.co/read/2024892/the-appointment-process-for-indonesian-ambassadors

Lee Sends Envoys to 10 Countries Globally

South Korean President Lee is reviewing a plan to send envoys to 10 countries including the European Union, Australia, Canada, France, India, and Russia, as part of broader diplomatic outreach efforts. The move aims to lay groundwork for summit diplomacy by briefing on Lee's state affairs policy and delivering friendly messages. This effort follows former President Yoon Suk-yeol's precedent of dispatching policy consultation delegations to the US and Japan after his election.

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337680.shtml

Somali Refugee Beaten in ICE Detention Centre

US immigration officials have been accused of mistreating a migrant, Ward Sakeik, who was held in an ICE detention centre for 16 hours without food or water. Sakeik, a refugee from Somalia, claimed he was subjected to physical and verbal abuse by officers at the facility in Texas. The incident has sparked outrage among human rights groups, with some calling for an investigation into the treatment of migrants in US custody.

https://www.livemint.com/news/us-news/handcuffed-for-16-hours-with-no-food-or-water-how-us-immigration-treated-ward-sakeik-at-ice-detention-centre-11751709426114.html