Trump Threatens Brazil with 50% Tariffs, Sparking Diplomatic Crisis and Potential Economic Fallout

BBC,

US President Donald Trump has escalated tensions with Brazil by threatening tariffs as high as 50% on Brazilian imports, accusing the country of targeting American tech companies and engaging in a “witch hunt” against former President Jair Bolsonaro. The announcement, made via social media, has shocked Brazilian politicians and sparked fears of a trade war. Trump’s remarks appear to be a direct show of support for Bolsonaro, who is currently facing trial for his alleged role in an attempted coup in 2023. Brazil’s current president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, responded by affirming the country’s sovereignty and warning against foreign tutelage. Economists warn that retaliatory measures from Brazil could hurt both economies, particularly as Brazil imports more from the US than it exports. The political impact may also be significant, with Trump’s message seen by some as an endorsement of Bolsonaro’s return to politics. However, others argue this could backfire and boost Lula’s nationalist image amid a slumping approval rating.

China Offers to Mediate Thailand-Cambodia Border Dispute, Calls for Calm and Cooperation

Reuters,

China has stepped into the border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, offering to mediate and promote peaceful dialogue. Speaking during the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi emphasized the need for harmony and regional stability. Tensions have risen since a Cambodian soldier was killed in a firefight along the disputed 820-kilometre border in May. Cambodia has since appealed to the International Court of Justice. China reiterated its stance of impartiality during separate meetings with both Thai and Cambodian foreign ministers. Wang also stressed the need to crack down on transnational crimes like online fraud and smuggling, which have affected both Chinese and local citizens. In broader remarks, Wang addressed Southeast Asia’s ability to withstand U.S. tariffs and external pressure, calling for regional unity. The offer reflects China’s strategic interest in maintaining influence in Southeast Asia amid increasing U.S. assertiveness in the region.

Philippine President Marcos to Meet Trump Over Tariff Dispute Amid Strengthening U.S. Ties

Channel News Asia (CNA),

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington from July 20–22 to discuss rising trade tariffs and deepening defense cooperation. The Philippines is alarmed by a recent unilateral tariff increase from 17% to 20% on its exports to the U.S., further widening the trade deficit which reached $4.9 billion in 2024. Philippine Foreign Minister Theresa Lazaro confirmed the meeting during the ASEAN summit in Malaysia and stressed that tariffs would be a key topic. Under Marcos, the Philippines has drawn closer to the U.S., expanding military engagements and hosting American forces at multiple sites. This pro-U.S. stance has angered Beijing, especially amid growing tensions in the South China Sea. Lazaro also criticized China for delaying a regional code of conduct and stressed the urgency of resolving the issue. Additionally, she highlighted the need for inclusive elections in Myanmar, emphasizing ASEAN’s commitment to peace and stability.

UN Report Finds No Active Syrian State Links to Al Qaeda, Possibly Paving Way for Sanctions Relief

Reuters,

A forthcoming UN report reveals no active ties between Al Qaeda and Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the dominant Islamist group in Syria’s interim government. The findings, based on intelligence gathered until June 22, 2025, could bolster a U.S. campaign to lift international sanctions on HTS and its leader Ahmed al-Sharaa. The group previously operated as Al Qaeda’s branch in Syria but severed links in 2016. HTS played a central role in the offensive that ousted President Bashar al-Assad. U.S. President Donald Trump has already revoked HTS’s terrorist designation and lifted American sanctions. However, China and Russia remain wary of HTS’s inclusion of foreign fighters, some with extremist leanings. The UN report acknowledges ideological concerns among lower-level members but highlights Sharaa’s pragmatic leadership. The integration of foreign fighters into the new Syrian military has caused defections and raised internal risks. Diplomatic resistance from Beijing and Moscow remains the key obstacle to full UN sanctions relief, even as the U.S. pushes for normalization and economic reconstruction in post-Assad Syria.

ICC Says War Crimes Persist in Sudan’s Darfur, Urges Global Action Amid Worsening Crisis

AP News,

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has concluded that war crimes and crimes against humanity are still being committed in Sudan’s Darfur region, where conflict has raged for over two years. Deputy Prosecutor Nazhat Shameem Khan told the UN Security Council that the humanitarian situation has reached a critical level, with rampant famine, attacks on hospitals and aid convoys, and widespread sexual violence. Khan emphasized that atrocities are being documented continuously and warned that the situation could deteriorate further. Over 13 million people have been displaced and 40,000 killed since the civil war erupted in 2023 between Sudan’s military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Force (RSF). The ICC’s findings are based on over 7,000 pieces of evidence collected, including testimonies from refugee camps in Chad. The Court is actively pursuing justice despite the temporary stepping down of Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan amid personal allegations. The RSF, accused of genocide by the Biden administration, is besieging El Fasher and attacking camps in famine-hit areas. The ICC vowed to ensure accountability, referencing the ongoing trial of Janjaweed leader Ali Kushayb as a precedent.