Singapore has taken a stance on trade with the US and China, contrary to its reputation of remaining neutral, according to Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong. This was revealed during the UBS Asian Investment Conference, where he discussed Singapore's approach to international issues in an interview with Young Jin Yee, co-head of UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific.
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/singapore-has-never-stayed-neutral-and-does-take-positions-trade-us-and-china-gan-kimUS President Donald Trump's administration is threatening to pull back billions of dollars in debt deals aimed at protecting vital ecosystems, including the Galapagos Islands and Amazon rainforest, due to concerns over climate change. The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has been a key player in these "debt-for-nature" swaps, providing insurance for nearly 90% of $6 billion worth of swapped debt. However, CEO-in-waiting Ben Black and Elon Musk, the head of the US government's efficiency chief, have criticized the DFC's climate work, putting five deals currently in the pipeline at risk.
https://www.asiaone.com/money/us-climate-pullback-threatens-planned-debt-nature-dealsUS President Trump spoke at the Davos Summit in January 2025, expressing concerns about the high cost and destructive potential of nuclear capabilities. He suggested denuclearization as a possibility and proposed trilateral discussions to reduce military budgets, redirecting resources to more productive uses. Russia has been criticized for its actions in Ukraine, leading to increased tensions.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/dia-warns-of-a-new-nuclear-tipped-air-to-air-missile/US President Trump plans to invoke the wartime Defense Production Act to address US dependence on Russia and China for enriched uranium and nuclear fuel processing, according to Reuters. This move is expected to be part of multiple nuclear-related executive actions that Trump will sign as soon as Friday. Shares in Uranium Energy and Centrus Energy rose over 6% in postmarket trading following the news.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/mergers-and-acquisitions/trump-to-sign-nuclear-related-executive-orders-reuters-says-1Ukrainian parliament chair Dmytro Natalukha led an 11-member delegation to Brussels, seeking a long-term trade solution with the EU before tariffs expire on June 5, marking the first time a parliamentary committee has held a session outside Ukraine.
https://www.politico.eu/article/reimposing-eu-tariffs-on-ukraine-risks-economic-shock-and-political-blowback/US Forces Korea play a crucial role in the South Korea-US alliance, contributing to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in the region by maintaining a strong combined defense posture against North Korean aggression.
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/u-s-military-pull-out-from-south-korea-seoul/The US has imposed tariffs on goods from several Asian countries, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The impact of these tariffs is minimal for some countries like Cambodia and Indonesia, with shares of less than 1%. China, however, is a key focus of US trade policy, with the negotiations yielding positive results so far. Other countries such as India, Vietnam, and Singapore are seeking similar agreements to mitigate the effects of the proposed tariffs. The 90-day pause on tariffs is set to expire soon, making the coming weeks crucial for securing more favorable trade conditions with the US.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/mediaoutreach/2025/05/23/southeast-asia-navigates-us-tariffs-an-octa-broker-analysis/383819The US is shifting its approach to counter Russia's nuclear threats by increasing the delivery of practical military aid to Ukraine, including artillery and drones, without publicly announcing these shipments in advance, allowing Moscow less room to react or manipulate the situation.
https://www.politico.eu/article/europe-russia-power-military-moscow-hostility-war-ukraine-putin/New Zealand's commitment to US$7.1 billion in defence spending over four years may be a response to rising global tensions, amid uncertainty following Donald Trump's return to the White House. A US warship, the USS Blue Ridge, recently visited Wellington Harbour on a goodwill trip, marking the first visit since 2021. The ship's arrival is seen as a sign of strengthened security relations under past administrations, which could be jeopardised by Trump's presidency.
https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3311335/us-warships-new-zealand-visit-sign-deep-ties-amid-trump-era-uncertainty?module=top_story&pgtype=section#comments