Overview
- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s trip to China, alongside visits by leaders from Ireland, Finland, South Korea and Canada, signals renewed outreach that observers describe as pragmatic hedging by traditional U.S. partners.
- Chinese commentators quoted by Xinhua frame the visits as recognition of Beijing’s perceived stability and an opening for a wedge strategy that blurs lines between U.S. partners and rivals.
- A White House executive order rolls back the extra 25% tariffs on India on the condition that New Delhi halts purchases of Russian oil, with monitoring for potential reimposition, and warns of additional duties on countries trading with Iran.
- CFR reporting details Trump’s public claims of trade deals with Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines that lack full documentation or aligned statements, drawing domestic backlash in those countries and raising doubts about durability.
- Analyses highlight Washington’s push to enlist Southeast Asia to curb transshipment and help build an economic “wall” against Chinese exports, even as China sustains export growth by rerouting sales, diversifying markets and lowering prices for U.S. buyers.