The UK's decision to join the Multilateral Trade Policy Instrument Agreement (MPIA) may have limited impact due to its narrow scope, unlike a recent trade deal with the Trump administration. A senior US consultant believes that the Office of the United States Trade Representative is not under pressure to restore the WTO appellate body until China, EU, and India propose meaningful WTO reform. The consultant notes that the US has more pressing bilateral deals to finalize within two weeks.
https://www.politico.eu/article/uk-britain-donald-trump-wto-trade-china-eu/Pakistan's Defence Minister Khawaja Asif attended the SCO moot in Beijing, China, where he reiterated Pakistan's stance on global and regional issues, emphasizing the need for collective efforts to prevent conflict through dialogue and cooperation. Indian Defence Minister Singh expressed concerns over terrorism, urging member countries to take a principled stance on the matter. Asif pledged Islamabad's commitment to SCO principles and objectives, stressing that terrorism is a common threat that requires collective action. He also condemned terrorist attacks in Kashmir and called for peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue and mediation.
https://www.geo.tv/latest/611016-india-refuses-to-sign-sco-joint-document-mentioning-terror-activities-in-balochistanRussian Defense Minister Sergei Belousov criticized the formation of closed bloc structures in the Asia-Pacific region with anti-Chinese and anti-Russian orientations. He specifically mentioned the trilateral defense alliance AUKUS between Australia, Great Britain, and the USA, as well as the "Triple Alliance" involving the USA, Republic of Korea, and Japan.
https://www.fakti.bg/en/world/981453-russia-us-has-grossly-violated-the-norms-of-international-lawAmnesty International has accused Cambodia's government of ignoring cybercrime gangs that traffic people from around the world into slavery at brutal scam compounds in Phnom Penh and elsewhere. The group identified 53 scam centres, including those with high fences, razor wire, and armed guards, where victims are subjected to punishments like electric shocks and beatings. A report by Amnesty International's Secretary General Agnes Callamard reveals a pattern of state failures that allowed the billion-dollar industry to flourish, with the government failing to investigate human rights abuses and assist victims.
https://www.asiaone.com/asia/amnesty-says-cambodia-enabling-brutal-scam-industryChina's Defence Minister Dong Jun hosted a meeting of defence ministers from Iran, Russia, Pakistan, and Belarus in Qingdao, China's eastern seaside city, amid rising unilateralism and protectionism. The gathering comes as the world faces chaos and instability, with a ceasefire between Iran and Israel holding after 12 days of fighting. In contrast, NATO leaders agreed to increase military spending at their summit in The Hague, where US President Donald Trump was present. Dong framed the meeting as a counterweight to these developments, urging his counterparts to safeguard peaceful development. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov praised China-Russia relations, describing them as being at an "unprecedentedly high level".
https://www.geo.tv/latest/610981-china-hosts-iranian-russian-defence-ministers-against-backdrop-of-momentous-changeChina hosted defence ministers from Iran and Russia in Qingdao, a city home to a major Chinese naval base, as part of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). The meeting comes amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East and a recent NATO summit where member nations agreed to increase military spending. Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun framed the gathering as a counterweight to global instability, urging his counterparts to safeguard peaceful development. Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov hailed ties between China and Russia as being at an unprecedented high level, while China has portrayed itself as a neutral party in Russia's war with Ukraine.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1324784-china-hosts-iranian-russian-defence-ministers-against-backdrop-of-momentous-changeThe heads of the European Union's 27 member nations will meet in Brussels to discuss tougher sanctions on Russia, including an 18th round of sanctions and maintaining a price cap on Russian oil. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will join via videoconference after meeting US President Donald Trump earlier. The EU is concerned about the impact of US-led NATO's downgrading of Ukraine from a top priority to a side player, while also dealing with Trump's threatened tariffs that could affect all 27 member countries, including Spain and France.
https://apnews.com/article/eu-summit-ukraine-tariffs-mideast-fe37c213eb72f7f1589840387db5a7a1European Union leaders will discuss whether to accept a quick trade deal with the US that may not be as favorable for Washington, or to escalate tensions in hopes of better terms. Most officials and diplomats prefer a swift agreement, allowing the EU to rebalance its own trade agreements after the US imposes 10% tariffs on most EU goods. The European Commission will ask EU leaders how they want to respond to President Donald Trump's July 9 deadline for a deal, which is now just over two weeks away.
https://www.asiaone.com/world/eu-canvass-leaders-summit-resolving-us-tariff-conflictThe European Union's competition chief, Teresa Ribera, has rejected suggestions that enforcement of the Digital Markets Act, which targets Apple Inc., Meta Platforms Inc., and Alphabet Inc.'s Google, could be sacrificed in trade negotiations with US President Donald Trump. The EU's crackdown on these tech giants is not a bargaining chip for Trump, according to Ribera.
https://news.bloomberglaw.com/antitrust/eus-ribera-wont-trade-big-tech-rules-to-placate-trump