Ed Castro China has agreed to suspend its latest rare earth export controls in exchange for reciprocal US cuts on tariffs and restrictions, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said in a statement published on its website on Thursday. Beijing’s earlier limits on the critical materials remain in place. The agreement followed a face-to-face meeting between Chinese…
Francis Tuschek, Quito,Equador In a significant diplomatic move, earlier this month China was admitted as an observer in the Andean Community—comprising Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru—marking a notable expansion of its influence in Latin America. While the gesture may appear symbolic on the surface, analysts see it as a strategic step in China’s broader effort…
Richard Sanders Taiwan has unveiled a new international framework aimed at bolstering the security of undersea communication cables, which are vital for global connectivity. The initiative, named the Management Initiative on International Undersea Cables or “RISK,” focuses on risk mitigation, information sharing, systemic reform, and knowledge building to protect these critical infrastructure elements. During a…
Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Jake Saunders, Editor A US federal agent secretly attempted to recruit Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro’s personal pilot as part of a plot to capture the leader and deliver him into American custody on drug trafficking charges, AP reports. Citing three current and former US officials, as well as one of Maduro’s…
Francis Tuschek The West is seeking to break Russia into dozens of small, weak states, former Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu says. Shoigu, who currently serves as secretary of Russia’s Security Council, made the remarks in an op-ed published in Argumenty i Fakty on Tuesday, ahead of National Unity Day, which is a Russian holiday celebrated…
Ed Castro US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated yesterday that Taiwan should not worry about being used as a bargaining chip in ongoing US-China trade talks. During a flight from Israel to Qatar en route to Asia, Rubio reassured that no trade deal would jeopardize Taiwan’s position or result in favorable trade treatment in…
Jake Saunders, Editor Kuala Lumpur As U.S. President Donald Trump arrives in Malaysia, attention is turning to an upcoming ceremony that appears to be centered on his participation.Thailand and Cambodia are preparing to sign a peace agreement during the event—an initiative that actually has no serious involvement from Trump besides a few phone calls. The…
Jake Sanders, Editor US President Donald Trump revealed on Friday that he intends to discuss Taiwan with Chinese President Xi Jinping during their upcoming meeting on the margins of the APEC Summit in South Korea. In remarks made before departing for Asia, Trump expressed his respect for Taiwan and indicated that the topic would be…
Francis Tuschek, Seoul The United States has launched a special initiative called Project Portero to combat fentanyl and other drug trafficking originating from Mexico. This effort underscores the U.S. commitment to addressing the opioid crisis and disrupting the flow of illegal drugs across its borders. Yesterday, Mexico handed over an alleged Chinese fentanyl kingpin, Zhi…
Richard Sanders German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has been forced to cancel an upcoming trip to China after Beijing reportedly declined to arrange high-level meetings with him, multiple media outlets reported on Friday. Wadephul was scheduled to depart for Beijing on Sunday to discuss China’s export restrictions on rare-earths and semiconductors, as well as the…