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Description: In light of Trump’s inauguration as the President of the United States, the European Union and Mexico have bolstered trade cooperation. The announcement comes as Trump’s administration has publicly announced its intentions to introduce additional tariffs within the regional trade agreement between the US, Canada and Mexico known as the USMCA. In his previous term as President, Trump initially imposed the tariffs in the US steel and aluminum industry trade with Mexico, but since the upticks have been short lived, he ended the initially imposed tariffs on steel and aluminum towards Mexico and Canada. Impact: Mexico as part of the USMCA is threaten
Description: Three days before his inauguration, President – elect Donald Trump has announced that he had a productive phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. Trade policies, the fentanyl pandemic, TikTok and Asia – Pacific relations were one of the subjects that the presidents talked about. China and the US have collided over several geopolitical issues in the past such as the Taiwan question, trade market dominance and control over the Asia – Pacific region but in spite of that, officials from both the US and Chinese cabinet assessed the conversation as a positive starting point moving forward. Impact: US – China relations is one of the most in
Description: French President Emmanuel Macron has conducted a meeting with newly – elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun. Macron urged on rapid withdrawal from the Israeli army still deployed on Lebanese territory and emphasized the need for Lebanon to reestablish a sovereign governance and independent military apparatus. He had also announced that France would host an international reconstruction conference for Lebanon since severe investments were necessary to rebuild the Lebanese infrastructure. Impact: Macron’s visit to Lebanon only enhances the country’s geopolitical attractiveness at the moment. Macron’s visit also aimed to represent added value to Fr
Description: Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) officials have stated they would leave the country under the condition the SDF (Syrian Democratic Forces), an allied party, remains in control of the north – eastern parts of the country. PKK which has been in a constant insurgency conflict with Turkey over the last 40 years, is one of the many interested parties of assuming power in Syria after Bashar al – Assad’s fall last month. Turkey has threatened with military action if the SDF, a close US regional ally isn’t disbanded and all senior PKK members removed from its leadership structure. Impact: With Syria on the outskirts of existing as a country, several groups
Description: The US has announced the imposition of sanctions on Sudan’s army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan as the civil war in the country continues to rage on and inflict severe humanitarian crisis. The sanctions comprised of prohibition of arms sales, and the freezing of assets owned by Abdel Fattah al – Burhan outside of Sudan. The sanctions also undertook the rival leader of the RSF (Rapid Support Forces) Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, indicating equal US treatment over the involved parties in the conflict. Impact: With the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF expanding, the imposition of sanctions could be considered as a step towards forcing both s
Description: Romanian Ministry of Energy has flagged the potential sale of E. ON Energie Romania to Hungarian’s MVM Group as a national security risks as concerns over their connection to Gazprom and the Russian government have been raised. Shadow influence of the Russian government within MVM Group has been identified from the Romanian Foreign Direct Investment Energy Commission which additionally prompted the Romanian government on enhanced oversight and possible transaction seizure. Impact: E. ON Energie is one of Europe’s largest energy and oil producers and suppliers and its potential sale to MVM Group could deepen Europe’s energy dependency on Russia.
Description: Assistant Secretary of State Geofrey Pyatt has stated that despite sanctions, the US still much relies on Russian supply of enriched uranium in its civil nuclear facilities. With the signing of The Prohibiting Russian Uranium Act, the US has authorized additional $2.7 billion in authorized funding for US – based enrich uranium production. Environmental concerns and low – cost production of rival countries has depleted US civilian nuclear capabilities while Russia still holds approximately 44% of the enriched uranium market worldwide. Impact: With the increased development of AI technology, which requires stable energy and supply in large ammount
Description: UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have reportedly considered the possibility of deploying UK and France peacekeeping troops in Ukraine to end the war. With Trump’s inauguration just days away, EU and NATO members are scrambling to implement future measures in order to incentivize conflict resolution. Reports stated that Macron has been resolute and adamant towards the idea while Starmer had his reservations as troop deployment could possibly instigate direct conflict between NATO and Russia. Impact: Ukraine’s future stability would strongly depend on EU and NATO support as the Trump administration has sent mix
Description: Newly appointed US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced US intentions to label cartels as terrorist groups indicating on possible US military action in Mexico. He noted that migration and organized crime are the US top priorities in Mexico and raised concerns of Mexico’s capabilities to adequately answer the organized crime issue. Even though military action was mentioned, the initial intention of the US government would be mutual cooperation prompting further tensions between the two countries. Impact: Organized crime and drug cartels impose a serious security threat for both Mexico and the US. Rubio’s designation of cartels as terroris
Description: Canadian Federal government has drafted a $105 billion counter tariff bill on US products in case the Trump administration imposes additional tariffs on Canadian products. The proposed bill comes as a response to Trump’s threats of elevating tax obligations to Canada and abusing economic power to subdue Canada into economic dependency on the US. Canada’s main crude oil supplier Alberta had stated no intentions on cutting energy supply to the US, indicating on a divided front in context of the proposed tariff plan. Impact: The US is risking worsening economic and diplomatic relations with Canada if and whether Trump’s tariff policies are implemen