France and Argentina have signed a memorandum of understanding on critical minerals, with Delegate Minister for Foreign Trade and French Nationals Abroad Laurent Saint-Martin and Argentina's Mining Secretary Luis Lucero shaking hands at the French Embassy in Buenos Aires on June 27, 2025. The agreement aims to promote cooperation between the two countries in extracting and processing critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, and nickel.
https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/argentina-signs-agreement-with-france-on-critical-minerals.phtmlThailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing a no-confidence vote after her government lost the support of the Bhumjaithai Party, citing concerns over Thai sovereignty and integrity. The move comes after a leaked phone conversation between Shinawatra and Cambodia's former premier Hun Sen was made public, in which she appeared to seek to appease Hun Sen and criticized a Thai army commander. Shinawatra has apologized for her comments, but faces judicial scrutiny from the Constitutional Court and anti-graft body. Hun Sen has publicly attacked Shinawatra and her family, calling for a change in government, prompting Thailand's foreign ministry to describe his speech as "extraordinary".
https://channelnewsasia.com/asia/thai-protesters-bangkok-pm-paetongtarn-resignation-5208896The European Union and Asian trading blocs, including the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, are exploring a framework that would establish global trade rules, building on the World Trade Organization's (WTO) effective principles such as the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle. To improve upon WTO rules, Asian and European leaders should focus on addressing subsidies and state-owned firm conduct. A common carbon-tariff framework with the US could incentivize countries to adhere to the Paris Agreement, while a more resilient international finance system would promote responsible behavior and diversify risk management instruments.
https://www.manilatimes.net/2025/06/29/opinion/world/can-asia-and-europe-rescue-the-global-economy/2139950NATO leaders have agreed to increase defense spending to 5% of national GDP, with Germany's total military spending expected to rise from €95 billion in 2025 to €162 billion in 2029. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government has approved a budget framework that includes provisions for joint European defense procurement and simplification of EU rules. The new law aims to speed up military purchases by allowing advance payments to start-ups and innovative companies, while also enabling the use of a national security clause to prioritize domestic procurement.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/berlin-simplify-rules-bid-speed-defence-surge-draft-law-saysCambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen criticized Thailand's military action at a disputed border area, calling it a serious violation of Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The dispute has been ongoing for decades, with the International Court of Justice ruling in favor of Cambodia in 1962. Thailand is still reeling from the decision, which was reaffirmed in 2013 under Prime Minister Yingluck. The move has led to political instability in Thailand, with Paetongtarn's government facing investigations and potential removal from office due to a breach of ethics over a phone call between Hun Sen and her.
https://apnews.com/article/thailand-paetongtarn-phone-cambodia-hun-sen-protest-4623304524a4e3243249ed376065f87dPakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has condemned India's recent aggression, stating that the country will protect its sovereignty and core national interest decisively. He attributed Pakistan's restraint in response to Indian provocations as a demonstration of its commitment to regional peace and stability. The COAS reiterated Pakistan's resolve to defend the motherland at all costs and vowed to take the fight against terrorism to its logical conclusion. He also reaffirmed support for the Kashmiri people's struggle for self-determination, rejecting Indian claims that equate their resistance with terrorism.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/611416-no-limits-in-defending-sovereignty-field-marshal-warns-against-misreading-pakistans-resolveUS President Trump announced that a "very big" US-India trade deal is imminent, and a truce with China may be reached. He also terminated discussions with Canada, stating he would reveal the tariff Canada must pay to do business with the US within seven days. The US Treasury Secretary, Scott Bessent, expressed optimism about reaching agreements with 10-12 key trading partners by Labor Day (September 1), and hinted at extending the deadline if necessary.
https://www.firstpost.com/world/we-can-do-whatever-we-want-trump-signals-flexibility-on-july-9-deadline-for-reciprocal-tariffs-13901199.htmlIndonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto emphasized the importance of strengthening intra-ASEAN investment and trade cooperation between Indonesia and Malaysia to bolster regional economic resilience. He highlighted the significance of domestic economic resilience and regional supply chain integration as key strengths of ASEAN, with a focus on prioritizing strategic partnerships like those between Indonesia and Malaysia. Discussions around ASEAN's position in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are also gaining strategic importance, particularly when considering cooperation with GCC countries.
https://en.antaranews.com/news/362513/minister-highlights-intra-asean-investment-trade-importance?utm_source=antaranews&utm_medium=desktop&utm_campaign=popular_rightIndonesia's Anwar met with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Myanmar's Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Bangkok to discuss conflict resolution efforts in Myanmar. The meeting aimed to deliver humanitarian aid, establish a field hospital, and restore normalcy in the country. Anwar welcomed the release of 4,800 detainees as a positive step towards easing tensions.
https://en.tempo.co/read/2022119/malaysias-anwar-ibrahim-seeks-indonesias-help-in-myanmar-peace-mediation