Trump's tariffs: Southeast Asia to face highest tariffs

In today's news: US officials in China are forbidden from having romantic relationships with local citizens; The Burmese general Min Aung Hlaing flies to Thailand despite the earthquake tragedy; The situation of the population in Gaza worsens due to military operations and the blockade by Israel, which also bombs Syria; In Japan, an April Fool's joke about the price of rice is not well received.

USA – SOUTH-EAST ASIA

The countries of South-East Asia are the ones most affected by the new tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump. These are countries, such as Thailand and Vietnam, that have become exporters to the United States after benefiting from the shift of production from China, which has already been hit by tariffs in recent years and could now benefit from the new situation. No South-East Asian nation has so far announced the imposition of retaliatory tariffs and talks will probably take place in the coming weeks between the various heads of government and representatives of the US administration.

USA – CHINA

The American administration has forbidden American diplomats in China to have romantic or sexual relationships with Chinese citizens. Although many US agencies were already subject to strict rules, this is a policy of ‘no fraternisation’ - as it is called - which has not been heard of since the Cold War and which has been discussed since last summer and then imposed by Ambassador Nicholas Burns, who left China in January.

MYANMAR

After announcing a 20-day break in the fighting, the head of the Burmese junta, General Min Aung Hlaing, will fly to Thailand for a meeting of BIMSTEC, which brings together the countries bordering the Bay of Bengal. Meanwhile, the media controlled by the military has reported that at least 1,000 schools have been damaged and the death toll has exceeded 3,000.

JAPAN

A Japanese chain known for its ‘bento’ lunches apologised after publishing an April Fool's joke claiming it would no longer sell rice. Hokka Hokka Tei immediately faced a backlash for creating confusion: rice prices have indeed risen to record levels due to a poor harvest in 2023 that has affected the entire supply chain.

GAZA – ISRAEL

Israel has announced an expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip in an attempt to annex parts of the territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said troops are seizing an area called the Morag Axis near the southern border. The population of Gaza, which has not received aid for a month due to the blockade imposed by Tel Aviv, is beginning to suffer from hunger. Meanwhile, Israel has launched missile attacks in Syria as well, hitting some strategic positions in Damascus, Hama and Homs, some of which were targeted by Turkey.

RUSSIA – MOLDOVA

The director of the Moldavian security and information service, Aleksandr Mustjatse, has announced that three diplomats from the Russian embassy in Chisinau have been expelled for having taken the pro-Russian deputy Aleksandr Nesterovskij to the separatist republic of Transnistria on the eve of the court session to avoid a conviction, which is considered an act of ’ hybrid aggression’ against Moldova.

UZBEKISTAN

In a mosque in the Andizhan region of Uzbekistan, an explosion of gas pipes in the ablution room at the entrance to the sacred space killed 3 people and injured 10, damaging the walls and roof. The causes have not been identified, and an investigation into the incident is underway to verify the hypothesis of an attack.

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