Trump's Aggressive Trade and Ukraine Policies Unfold

President Trump has threatened to impose 100% tariffs on goods from countries that do business with Russia if a ceasefire is not reached in Ukraine within 50 days. The potential targets include China, India, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Vietnam, and Thailand, which have significant economic ties with Russia, particularly in the energy and agriculture sectors. Trump's "secondary tariffs" aim to increase pressure on Moscow by targeting its trade partners. However, senior Russian officials have downplayed the threat, and Russian investors have reacted positively, with the stock market rising 2.7% and the rouble strengthening against the dollar.

Donald Trump stated he is "disappointed but not done" with Vladimir Putin in a phone call with the BBC, saying he trusts almost nobody. Trump announced plans to send weapons to Ukraine and warned of severe tariffs on Russia if there was no ceasefire deal in 50 days. He also endorsed Nato and affirmed his support for the organisation's common defence principle, reversing his previous stance that it was "obsolete". Trump discussed various topics including his survival of an assassination attempt, Brexit, and his upcoming visit to the UK, where he will have a second state visit in September. Trump also discussed his domestic agenda, including tackling illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border and his tax and spending bill, and stated that "saving America" would define his legacy as president.

Russia rejected President Trump's demand for a ceasefire in Ukraine within 50 days, calling it "unacceptable" and stating that any attempts to make ultimatums are not acceptable. Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Russia is ready to negotiate, but will continue its "special military operation" in Ukraine until its goals are achieved. Trump had threatened to impose 100% secondary tariffs on countries that do business with Russia if a deal is not reached within 50 days. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Trump's announcement was "quite serious" and that Putin would comment when necessary.

President Trump announced that the US will impose 100% tariffs on countries doing business with Russia if a peace deal isn't reached within 50 days to end the Ukraine war. Trump also stated that the US has reached a deal to sell weapons to NATO nations, which will then be sent to Ukraine. Trump's frustration with Russian President Vladimir Putin has grown, citing multiple instances where Putin made agreements that weren't followed through. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Trump for US support, and some US lawmakers are pushing for even higher secondary sanctions on Russia, with some proposing tariffs of up to 500%.

Donald Trump's administration has threatened several countries with tariffs, sending letters inviting them to participate in the US economy while warning of tariffs set to take effect on August 1st, ranging from 25% to 36% for countries like Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.

US President Donald Trump stated he is "not done" with Russian President Vladimir Putin, despite expressing disappointment over the lack of a ceasefire deal in Ukraine. Trump revealed plans to provide new weapons to Kyiv and threatened economic punishment on Moscow if peace isn't reached within 50 days. The comments came amid heightened tensions between the US and Russia, with Russia launching a massive drone attack on Ukraine hours after Trump's remarks. Trump also accused Putin of throwing "bullsh*t" over peace talks, and separately told donors he had threatened to "bomb the sh\*t out of Moscow" during a phone call with Putin.

US President Donald Trump has significantly shifted his stance on the Ukraine war over 50 days into his presidency, surprising many, but this change may not necessarily impact Russian President Vladimir Putin's calculations. Trump has shown a more favorable disposition towards NATO and Ukraine, promising to send Patriot missiles to Kyiv and considering new sanctions against Russia. However, his short-term focus and lack of clear plans for Ukraine's future raise concerns. Trump's change of heart is seen as a recalibration of expectations, giving him time to decide on his next steps, while also allowing NATO states and Ukraine to adjust their strategies. Despite this, Putin is unlikely to change his approach, viewing the war as a historic imperative, and may try to exploit Trump's transactional nature and short attention span.

President Donald Trump announced a major NATO arms sale to aid Ukraine, saying the US would sell arms to NATO allies who would then provide them to Ukraine. Trump gave Russian President Vladimir Putin 50 days to secure a peace deal with Ukraine, warning that failure to do so would result in "100%" tariffs. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said several countries, including Germany, Finland, and Denmark, had committed to purchasing US arms for Ukraine, with more expected to follow. Trump expressed frustration with Putin, saying their conversations were not leading to a resolution, and that he was "very unhappy" with Moscow.

US President Donald Trump has shifted his tone on Ukraine and Russia, announcing a significant increase in US weapons supplies to Ukraine, framing it as a multi-billion dollar "deal" where NATO partners will pay for the weapons. Trump has also issued an ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, giving him 50 days to make a peace deal or face "secondary tariffs" on countries that trade with Russia. The move is seen as a significant change in Trump's stance on Ukraine, having previously refused to side with Ukraine over the Russian invasion. However, caution is advised as Trump has a history of letting deadlines slip and flip-flopping on his positions, and Russia is skilled at prevarication.

The Trump administration has initiated a trade investigation into Brazil, escalating a dispute that began when President Trump criticized Brazil's unfair trade practices and its treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally. The investigation will examine Brazil's tariffs on American products, digital trade policies, access to its ethanol market, and "anti-corruption interference." Trump had previously threatened to impose a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports, citing Brazil's treatment of Bolsonaro, who is facing trial for attempting a coup. The investigation could lead to additional tariffs and has sparked complaints that Trump is using his trade powers to settle political scores.

US and China are moving towards a trade deal, according to former US ambassador to China Nicholas Burns, who cited the strong economic incentives on both sides. Burns, who served under President Joe Biden, praised US negotiators and offered rare support for Trump's tariff strategy, saying the relationship between the two countries is "symbiotic" with over 10,000 American companies in China and the US being China's largest export market. The two countries are currently in a 90-day trade truce with an August deadline to reach a more durable deal.

Former US President Donald Trump reportedly asked Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky if Ukraine could hit Moscow with weapons during an Oval Office meeting where Trump announced a plan to send weapons to Ukraine through European nations, and threatened new trade consequences if a peace deal wasn't reached within 50 days.

Russian Deputy Security Council Chair Dmitry Medvedev dismissed President Donald Trump's 50-day ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine war, stating that "Russia didn't care." The ultimatum, announced jointly with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, threatens 100% tariffs if the war is not ended within 50 days. European Union officials and Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko questioned the effectiveness of the move, citing ongoing civilian casualties and damage in Ukraine. Trump expressed frustration with Putin's lack of action despite multiple attempts to reach a deal.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is reshuffling his government amid the ongoing war with Russia, nominating First Deputy Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko to lead the government as prime minister. Current Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is expected to become the new defense minister, replacing Rustem Umerov, who may be appointed as Ukraine's ambassador to the US. Zelenskyy outlined the new government's priorities, including strengthening the economy, increasing domestic weapons production, and expanding support programs for Ukrainians. Svyrydenko's appointment must be approved by Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada.

The US is waging a trade war with China indirectly by pressuring third countries to appease the US market, thus angering China, through new trade deals, as direct tariff battles between the US and China have subsided following talks in Geneva and London.

Tensions between China and the European Union are running high ahead of a summit in Beijing on July 24th, which was meant to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties but is now expected to be tense. Initial hopes that China and the EU might collaborate to counter America's trade isolationism have been dashed, and the meeting is likely to be a disappointment.

US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Indonesia, under which Indonesian goods will face a 19% tariff, down from a previously threatened 32%, and Indonesia will purchase $15 billion in US energy, $4.5 billion in American agricultural products, and 50 Boeing jets. The deal was finalized after Trump spoke with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, but the timeline for implementation remains unclear.

Asia-Pacific markets traded mixed on Wednesday, with some stocks rising and others falling. Indonesian stocks marginally increased after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a preliminary trade deal with Indonesia, including a 19% tariff on Indonesian exports to the U.S. Asia chip stocks continued to climb after the U.S. lifted export curbs to China, with TSMC rising 0.9% and Advantest gaining 0.73%. Meanwhile, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart's shares slid over 6% despite a strong earnings forecast, and bitcoin prices fell after Trump-backed crypto regulation bills initially stalled. Gold prices remained high, with spot gold trading at $3,328.3 per ounce, up 27% year-to-date, as central banks increasingly bought gold from local mines.

The Trump administration has launched an investigation into Brazil's trading practices, citing "unfair" policies related to digital trade, electronic payment services, and tariffs. The probe, directed by US President Donald Trump, aims to determine whether Brazil's practices are "unreasonable or discriminatory and burden or restrict US commerce." The investigation follows a letter from Trump to Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in which he announced a 50% tariff on Brazil and threatened the probe. Lula responded by saying Brazil would match any increase in tariffs.

The US has launched an investigation into Brazil's trade practices, citing "unfair" trading practices that harm American companies, workers, and farmers. The probe will focus on digital trade, electronic payment services, tariffs, intellectual property protection, ethanol market access, and deforestation. The investigation is part of an escalating spat between President Donald Trump and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, with Trump accusing Brazil of "attacks on free elections" and censoring American social media companies. Brazil has threatened to reciprocate with tariffs if the US follows through on its threat to impose a 50% tariff.