Articles in this Cluster
03-05-2025
The US and Ukraine have signed a joint economic investment deal, giving the US access to Ukrainian minerals, including rare earth elements, oil, and natural gas. Ukraine holds around 5% of global mineral reserves, including critical minerals such as titanium, lithium, and uranium. The deal covers 55 minerals and is seen as a strategic move for the US amid a growing trade war with China, a major producer of rare earths. Ukraine's minerals industry is largely untapped due to state policies, lack of information, and the ongoing war with Russia. The deal is expected to provide Ukraine with more support for its defense against Russia and could limit the US' reliance on China for critical minerals.
03-05-2025
Estonia's Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna believes Russia's war on Ukraine is part of a larger plan to restore the Soviet empire, with the US as its main enemy. Tsahkna stated that Ukraine is "just one example" of Russia's aggression and that Estonia is bolstering its defense spending, planning to spend over 5% of its GDP on defense. Estonia has also received six HIMARS satellite-guided rocket systems from the US and has cut off all energy imports from Russia since the invasion began. Tsahkna expressed concerns that Russia is preparing for further aggression and that a ceasefire in Ukraine is unlikely as long as Putin remains in power. He also warned that Putin is "playing with our fears" and is using various tactics, including religion and sabotage, to achieve his goals.
03-05-2025
US officials have finalized new economic sanctions against Russia, targeting state-owned energy giant Gazprom and major entities in the natural resources and banking sectors, in an effort to pressure Moscow to end its war on Ukraine. However, it's unclear if President Donald Trump will sign the package, despite his recent frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin's rejection of his ceasefire calls. The sanctions could signify a hardening of Trump's stance towards the Kremlin, following his recent signing of a US-Ukraine minerals deal. Trump's special envoy has met with Putin multiple times, but Russia has continued to escalate its attacks on Ukraine.
03-05-2025
Analysts say Ukraine lacks the capacity to replace China as a top supplier of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, despite a recent deal with the US. Most of Ukraine's mineral reserves are in Russian-occupied areas, and the rest will take years to extract due to limited processing capacity. China dominates the global rare earth market, holding 60% of reserves and responsible for 90% of refining, making it unlikely Ukraine can rival China anytime soon.
03-05-2025
The US is preparing new economic sanctions against Russia, targeting state-owned energy giant Gazprom and major entities in the natural resources and banking sectors, in an effort to pressure Moscow to end its war on Ukraine. However, it is unclear whether US President Donald Trump will approve the package, as his stance on Russia has hardened after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected his calls for a ceasefire and peace talks.
03-05-2025
China has the upper hand in its trade war with America, according to an analysis. The trade war, sparked by America's tariffs, has led to a decline in trade between the two countries. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has likened the situation to the "eye of the storm", suggesting that while the situation appears calm, it is actually a precarious one. America's economy may be on the verge of a significant shock as a result of the trade tensions.
03-05-2025
President Trump's tariffs are having a significant impact on Chinese businesses, with many exporters seeing a sharp decline in US sales. Richard Qiu, a Chinese exporter of gift bags, told CBS News that his US sales have "ground to a halt" due to the tariffs, with 90% of his US orders expected to be canceled. Qiu believes that the US is punishing China for being successful in manufacturing and exporting goods at competitive prices. The Canton Fair, China's largest import-export trade show, has seen a decline in American buyers, with many Chinese businesses looking to diversify their exports to other regions. While some US businesses are preparing for the possibility of tariffs being lifted in the future, many Chinese exporters are bracing for the impact of a prolonged trade war.
03-05-2025
The US may be weeks away from a significant economic shock due to the ongoing trade tensions with China, with trade between the two countries already declining.
03-05-2025
China is evaluating a US offer to hold talks on tariffs, according to a statement from the Chinese Commerce Ministry, potentially paving the way for the world's two largest economies to deescalate their trade war. The ministry warned that it would not be forced into making a bad deal, stating that "attempting to use talks as a pretext to engage in coercion and extortion would not work." The US and China have been engaged in a trade war, with the US slapping a 145% tariff on Chinese imports and China responding with a 125% tariff on US imports, although China recently waived tariffs on some US imports, including ethane.
03-05-2025
The US-China trade stand-off can ease if negotiators are agreed upon, according to analysts. The US prefers President Trump to deal directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but China rejects this as too risky. Instead, Chinese officials suggest appointing special envoys to negotiate, an idea the US has not fully endorsed. The lack of bilateral trust, fueled by disputes over China's role in fentanyl production, has hindered trade talks, with both sides imposing tariffs on each other's goods.
