Türkiye's exports to the EU have increased tenfold since the Customs Union began in 1996, making it the bloc's fifth-largest trading partner. The country has become a key manufacturing and supply hub for the EU, with 70% of foreign investments originating from European nations, generating $70 billion in annual export revenues. Minister Bolat expects concrete steps on visa liberalization, which he believes will be implemented for Turkish citizens across all EU member states as soon as possible. EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic confirmed that the EU is Türkiye's largest trade and investment partner.
https://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/updating-turkiye-eu-customs-union-a-necessity-says-bolat-210975Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal urged international cooperation at the Fourth United Nations International Conference on Financing for Development, specifically to address the food crisis exacerbated by Russia's actions in Ukraine.
https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-polytics/4010167-pm-shmyhal-meets-guterres-in-spain-calls-for-sustained-international-pressure-on-russia.htmlUS trade officials are seeking narrower agreements with other countries ahead of a July 9 tariff deadline, which would spare them harsher reciprocal tariffs but leave them with an existing 10% levy. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that the risk of tariffs increasing is real. The Trump administration plans to secure "agreements in principle" on small trade disputes before the deadline, while also considering additional tariffs on critical sectors.
https://www.malaymail.com/news/money/2025/07/01/us-shifts-to-limited-trade-deals-ahead-of-trumps-looming-tariff-deadline-ft-reports/182401Vietnamese Ambassador Tuan emphasized the importance of strengthening economic ties with Pakistan by enhancing collaboration between the Vietnam Chamber and Karachi Chamber. He highlighted the potential for trade and investment opportunities, citing a recent trade surplus of $71 million in FY24. The ambassador noted that Vietnam and Pakistan have a longstanding relationship dating back to 1972 and have strengthened bilateral relations through people-to-people and business-to-business engagement. Zia ul Arfeen, Senior Vice President of KCCI, called for intensified efforts to unlock the vast potential in bilateral trade and economic cooperation, suggesting joint ventures and technical partnerships to boost local production and improve global competitiveness.
https://www.brecorder.com/news/40370436/vietnam-envoy-for-expanding-economic-ties-with-pakistanA new study warns that deep cuts to Medicaid under President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" could result in 14 million preventable deaths by 2030, including 4.5 million deaths of children under 5. The study, led by Daniella Cavalcanti at the Federal University of Bahia’s Institute of Collective Health in Brazil, found that USAID funding has saved lives and improved health outcomes in vulnerable regions over the past two decades. Scientists from the Barcelona Institute for Global Health in Spain and the University of California, Los Angeles, also contributed to the study.
https://gizmodo.com/14-million-people-could-die-in-next-5-years-due-to-usaid-cuts-study-finds-2000622755Dozens of international charities and humanitarian groups are calling for the disbanding of a aid distribution system in Gaza due to recurring violence against Palestinians seeking food. At least seven Palestinians were killed while waiting for aid, with 23 people killed by Israeli gunfire on Monday and 37 killed in airstrikes in Khan Younis on Tuesday. The situation has been exacerbated by fuel shortages at hospitals, including Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which suspended services due to generator power issues.
https://www.twincities.com/2025/07/01/mideast-wars-gaza-aid-group/India and the US are engaged in intricate trade negotiations, with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressing hope for a successful outcome through mutual give and take. The talks aim to prevent tariff hikes set for July 9, but India is resisting concessions on dairy, a key rural sector, according to sources.
https://indiatoday.in/india/story/india-us-trade-deal-give-and-take-needed-says-s-jaishankar-as-us-talks-up-trade-deal-progress-2749161-2025-07-01Japan, the US, Australia, and India plan to strengthen their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region through a trilateral dialogue, aiming to promote stability and security in the area. The four nations will discuss ways to address common challenges such as terrorism, cybersecurity threats, and maritime security. This move is seen as a response to China's growing influence in the region.
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20250701/p2g/00m/0in/073000cDefense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and Lithuanian National Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in Makati City, solidifying a growing defense relationship between the Philippines and Lithuania based on shared democratic values and international law. The agreement focuses on cooperation in cybersecurity, defense industry development, joint munitions production, countering hybrid threats, and maritime domain awareness. This comes after Sakaliene's four-day official visit to the Philippines, where she met with Teodoro at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, and prior discussions on pressing global security issues including the West Philippine Sea and Eastern Europe.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/07/02/news/national/ph-lithuania-expand-defense-cooperation/2141849