Kremlin Eyes Seized US-Owned Company To Feed Russian Military

Apr 17 2025, 20:02

IKBFJD7QYJNULPJVLYXJX7Q6NQ — Russian conscripts called up for military service line up during a ceremony before their departure for garrisons, in Bataysk in the Rostov region, Russia, April 10, 2025. REUTERS/Sergey Pivovarov/File Photo

The Kremlin is planning to repurpose a U.S.-owned company, recently seized and placed under state control, to supply food to the Russian military, according to a document reviewed by Reuters—an action that could jeopardise improving ties between Moscow and Washington.

As the U.S. and the Kremlin negotiate to stop the war in Ukraine, the canned food maker Glavprodukt, which was seized in October and is the only American-owned firm to be taken under state control, has been caught in the crosshairs.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said its treatment will be part of the conversation about resetting U.S.-Russia relations.

Seizure Was ‘Necessary’

The seizure was necessary to ensure stable production, including for future supplies to the national guard and defence ministry, according to a letter, reviewed by Reuters, addressed to Russia’s prosecutor general from Glavprodukt’s new management.

Glavprodukt is now under the control of Russia’s federal property management agency, Rosimushchestvo, having been seized from Los Angeles-based Leonid Smirnov.

Russia’s industry and trade ministry and Rosimushchestvo did not respond to requests for comment on the state’s plans for Glavprodukt and questions about its new management.

Russian prosecutors have accused Smirnov and companies controlled by him of moving about 1.38 billion roubles ($17 million) out of Russia from 2022 to 2024, the RBC daily reported in March.

On March 12, Glavprodukt’s assets were seized by the Moscow Arbitration Court at the request of the Prosecutor General’s office. A hearing is scheduled for April 18. Smirnov denies wrongdoing and says the lawsuit is a “Russian-style corporate raid” to steal his company.

The prosecutor general did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

About a dozen European companies have had their Russian subsidiaries expropriated by presidential decree, including Danish brewer Carlsberg and Finnish utility Fortum and the Kremlin has warned of more asset seizures.

The Ukraine invasion was expected to be a quick operation, but the war has now stretched to more than three years, seeing Russia hike defence spending and secure tighter control of strategic assets. In 2022, Russia was scrambling for military supplies, including food.

Who Stands To Gain From Seizure?

The letter reviewed by Reuters shines a light on the people standing to gain from the expropriation. It said that Rosimushchestvo appointed Glavprodukt’s new director general at the request of food producer Druzhba Narodov.

Druzhba Narodov was the sole supplier to Russia’s national guard for 2019-20, according to a 2018 press release.

A person familiar with the matter said that Glavprodukt had never previously supplied Russia’s army.

A 2018 investigation by late opposition politician Alexei Navalny’s Anti-Corruption Fund revealed that then Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev had in 2017 signed off on Druzhba Narodov becoming the national guard’s sole supplier.

Ownership information for Druzhba Narodov is classified, but Russian newspaper Kommersant reported in 2022, citing then publicly available information on Russia’s EGRUL corporate registry, that entities connected to the agriculture holding ‘Agrocomplex named after N. I. Tkachev’ had acquired Druzhba Narodov.

Reuters could not independently verify that, as the information is now classified, but the Agrocomplex holding referred to, and Druzhba Narodov, share the same agrocomplex.ru domain name for some email addresses, according to their websites and filings from Russia’s Spark corporate registry.

Druzhba Narodov and Agrocomplex did not respond to requests for comment.

The holding’s ultimate owner is Alexander Tkachev, according to the company’s 2025 independent audit filings, reviewed by Reuters.

Tkachev, sanctioned by the European Union in 2014 for his support of Moscow’s annexation of Crimea, was appointed Russia’s agriculture minister the following year, and is the holding company’s board chairman, the filings show.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Trump Tariffs Expose India’s Competitiveness

Anil Padmanabhan;

Apr 17 2025, 19:00

Since 2 April, the world economy is on a rollercoaster.

President Donald Trump’s Liberation Day for US trade has injected an unprecedented level of uncertainty. The subsequent flip-flops have only made a bad situation worse.

India too has been singed. Even while the country scrambles together a Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA) with the United States to evade the tariff onslaught, it is being made aware of its long ignored Achilles Heel—lack of global competitiveness of Indian industry.

Can India resolve this handicap in a hurry? Because once the BTA is in place, Indian industry would be exposed to global competition.

To answer all this and more, StratNewsGlobal.Tech spoke to
Prerna Prabhakar, an Associate Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) on Capital Calculus.

‘You Can Choose Your Friends, But Not Your Neighbours’

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 18:30

In a sweeping assessment of India’s complex neighbourhood, veteran diplomat Yash Sinha paints a picture of persistent instability, entrenched challenges, and evolving geopolitical equations.

In this edition of Strat Talks, Sinha — who served as former High Commissioner to the UK and Sri Lanka, Joint Secretary heading the Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran Division of the MEA and as Chief Information Commissioner — begins by quoting late Prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee — “you can choose your friends, not your neighbours” — to underscore the critical importance of India’s regional diplomacy.

Here are some key takeaways from the fascinating discussion.

Pakistan remains a perennial challenge, with its most popular leader jailed and the military firmly in control. Yet, Sinha credits the Indian government with preventing major terror attacks since Pulwama, citing deterrence and Pakistan’s internal distractions.
Afghanistan, post-U.S. withdrawal, has returned to Taliban rule. While the Taliban’s ideology remains rigid, they are not as hostile to India as in the past. India has kept low-level communication channels open—something Sinha sees as a diplomatic success.
Nepal is dealing with political instability and a resurgence of monarchist sentiment. Sinha warns that such internal volatility may affect ties with India.
Myanmar continues to spiral post-coup, with spillover effects in India’s northeast, particularly Manipur.
Bangladesh surprised Sinha with its sudden political shift last year, raising questions about the constitutional legitimacy of its interim government. India, he suggests, must tread carefully.
Bhutan stands out as a “peaceful exception,” though India watches its ties with China closely.
In Sri Lanka, he describes the 2022 crisis as a “perfect storm” of economic collapse and citizen unrest. He strongly highlights India’s pivotal support—$4.5 billion in aid, vaccines, and fuel—as a “game changer” that significantly improved India’s image.
Maldives, despite initial turbulence under the new government, has seen India benefit from “strategic patience,” a strategy Sinha believes paid off.

Throughout, he emphasizes India’s efforts to balance firm diplomacy with generosity, often in contrast to China’s debt-heavy and elite-focused approach. India, he suggests, offers a more people-centric development model—one that doesn’t enslave neighbours in debt, but builds grassroots goodwill.

Watch the full discussion to get fascinating insights into India’s neighbourhood from a veteran diplomat.

Musk’s SpaceX Leads Race To Build Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ Missile Shield

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 18:14

Elon Musk’s SpaceX, along with two partners, has emerged as a leading contender to secure a key component of President Donald Trump’s “Golden Dome” missile defence shield, according to six sources familiar with the matter.

Musk‘s rocket and satellite company is partnering with software maker Palantir and drone builder Anduril on a bid to build key parts of Golden Dome, the sources said, which has drawn significant interest from the technology sector’s burgeoning base of defence startups.

In his January 27 executive order, Trump cited a missile attack as “the most catastrophic threat facing the United States.”

All three companies were founded by entrepreneurs who have been major political supporters of Trump. Musk has donated more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help elect Trump, and now serves as a special adviser to the president, working to cut government spending through his Department of Government Efficiency.

Decision Process Still Evolving

Despite the Pentagon’s positive signals to the SpaceX group, some sources stressed that the decision process for Trump’s Golden Dome is in its early stages. Its ultimate structure and who is selected to work on it could change dramatically in the coming months.

The three companies met with top officials in the Trump administration and the Pentagon in recent weeks to pitch their plan, which would build and launch 400 to more than 1,000 satellites circling the globe to sense missiles and track their movement, sources said.

A separate fleet of 200 attack satellites armed with missiles or lasers would then bring enemy missiles down, three of the sources said. The SpaceX group is not expected to be involved in the weaponisation of satellites, these sources said.

Unconventional Acquisition Process

One of the sources familiar with the talks described them as “a departure from the usual acquisition process. There’s an attitude that the national security and defence community has to be sensitive and deferential to Elon Musk because of his role in the government.”

SpaceX and Musk have declined to comment on whether Musk is involved in any of the discussions or negotiations involving federal contracts with his businesses.

The Pentagon did not respond to detailed questions from Reuters, only saying it will deliver “options to the President for his decision in line with the executive order and in alignment with White House guidance and timelines.”

The White House, SpaceX, Palantir, and Anduril also did not respond to questions.

Subscription Service

In an unusual twist, SpaceX has proposed setting up its role in Golden Dome as a “subscription service” in which the government would pay for access to the technology, rather than own the system outright.

The subscription model, which has not been previously reported, could skirt some Pentagon procurement protocols, allowing the system to be rolled out faster, the two sources said. While the approach would not violate any rules, the government may then be locked into a subscription and lose control over its ongoing development and pricing, they added.

Some Pentagon officials have expressed concerns internally about relying on the subscription-based model for any part of the Golden Dome, two sources told Reuters. Such an arrangement would be unusual for such a large and critical defence programme.

U.S. Space Force General Michael Guetlein has been in talks on whether SpaceX should be the owner and operator of its part of the system, the two sources said. Other options include having the U.S. own and operate the system, or having the U.S. own it while contractors handle operations. Guetlein did not respond to a request for comment.

Retired Air Force General Terrence O’Shaughnessy, a top SpaceX advisor to Musk, has been involved in the company’s recent discussions with senior defence and intelligence leaders, the two sources said. O’Shaughnessy did not respond to requests for comment.

Silicon Valley’s Potential Breakthrough

Should the group led by SpaceX win a Golden Dome contract, it would be the biggest win for Silicon Valley in the lucrative defence contracting industry and a blow to the traditional contractors.

However, those long-standing contractors, such as Northrop Grumman, Boeing and RTX, are expected to be big players in the process as well, people familiar with the companies said. Lockheed Martin put up a webpage as part of its marketing efforts.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Bangladesh Resumes FOC Talks With Pakistan After 15-Year Hiatus

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 15:55

Bangladesh and Pakistan resumed foreign secretary-level talks— Foreign Office Consultation (FOC)— in Dhaka on Thursday morning, marking the first such diplomatic engagement in 15 years as both nations look to reset bilateral ties.

The FOC talks began around 10 a.m. at the State Guest House Padma, with Bangladesh’s Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin and Pakistan’s Foreign Secretary Amna Baloch were heading their respective delegations.

Shift In Political Landscape

This renewed diplomatic outreach follows the fall of the Awami League government in Bangladesh after a mass uprising on August 5 last year, setting the stage for fresh efforts to normalise relations between Dhaka and Islamabad.

Following the FOC, Secretary Baloch is scheduled to meet with Bangladesh’s interim government chief Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain.

She will also attend a roundtable with local think tanks and members of the Pakistani diaspora in Dhaka later in the evening.

The consultation comes ahead of the expected visit of Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Dhaka on April 27–28 — the first such high-level visit in over a decade.

Restoring Relationship

Efforts to mend relations have been quietly progressing since Muhammad Yunus and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif held two informal meetings last year — one on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September, and another at the D-8 summit in Cairo in December.

Since then, Bangladesh has eased visa restrictions for Pakistani citizens and launched direct shipping links. Pakistan, in turn, has expressed interest in cultural exchanges and boosting cooperation in trade, tourism, and investment.

“Pakistan sees potential to increase exports to Bangladesh, especially if products remain price competitive,” said Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Pakistan, Iqbal Hussain Khan, who is in Dhaka for the meeting. Key export interests include cotton, sugar, rice, and wheat.

Bilateral Trade

In the 2023–24 fiscal year, Bangladesh exported goods worth $61.98 million to Pakistan while importing $627.8 million in return.

Khan added that Pakistan could serve as a transit hub for Bangladeshi imports from Afghanistan and Iran if logistics costs are kept low.

Talks are also ongoing to establish direct air connectivity, which is expected to enhance people-to-people ties and promote tourism.

Last Bangladesh-Pakistan FOC

The last FOC, held in 2010, addressed sensitive topics such as Pakistan’s formal apology for 1971 war atrocities, war reparations, the repatriation of stranded Pakistanis, the division of pre-1971 assets, and the reimbursement of foreign aid given during the 1970 cyclone.

Foreign policy experts stress that while current dialogue is encouraging, addressing unresolved historical issues will be key to truly deepening Bangladesh-Pakistan relations.

Chinese Meme Barrage Targets Trump, American Workers

Anukriti;

Apr 17 2025, 15:19

The US China relationship, even in its heyday, always had layers to it. To discerning observers, the bonhomie on top sweetened by the steady flow of foreign direct investment and technology transfers, could blur but not entirely conceal how the Chinese establishment viewed Uncle Sam: as the adversary they would have to take on some time in the future.

It seems that day has come going by the tariffs slapped on each other. And Chinese netizens, suitably encouraged by the state, have taken to social media platforms to express their views.

At one level, it has taken the from of TikTok videos documenting how top Western fashion labels make in China and taking advantage of low labour cost and efficient supply chains, sell those products at a huge markup. Birkin handbags for instance, cost $1,400 to make in China and sell for $38,000 in the US.

Other videos show Trump and Elon Musk working on an assembly line along with MAGA supporters. Some videos mock the American worker, showing him as obese and slow compared to his Chinese counterpart.

Comments bordered on the offensive: one made fun of Trump, describing him as a poor white crazy guy, others advised Chinese negotiators “not to talk to fools”, saying Trump should be ignored. Others urged Trump to add another 5% to the tariff, thereby taking the figure to 250%’.

With hashtags like #ChinaFirmlyOpposesUSTariffs gaining millions of views on Weibo, netizens support the retaliatory measures believing it an opportunity for China to assert itself internationally. Some netizens interpret the tariffs as a sign of America’s fear of China’s rising global influence.

Chinese exporters are seeking to offload unsellable stock meant for the American market by appealing to domestic consumers on the social media platform Rednote. Livestreams from sellers such as “Dingding Cloud Foreign Trade Warehouse” and “Muzi Has Good Goods” showcase discounted products like rice cookers and toasters, that can no longer be sent to US.

Major platforms including JD.com and Alibaba-owned supermarket chain Freshippo are supporting this, with the former announcing a $27.35 billion fund to facilitate domestic sales. Hashtags like “resist” and “China can make it” reflect growing public support for homegrown goods.

Bangladesh: BNP ‘Unsatisfied’ After Talks With Yunus Yield No Election Deadline

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 14:15

A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) delegation on Wednesday voiced dissatisfaction after talks with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus failed to produce a clear election deadline, despite the party’s persistent calls for polls to be held by December.

A seven-member delegation of the BNP, led by Secretary-General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, met with Muhammad Yunus at Bangladesh’s state guest house Jamuna in Dhaka to discuss key national issues, including the upcoming election roadmap, the economic situation, withdrawal of political cases, and the legal proceedings against former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Following the two-and-a-half-hour-long meeting, Alamgir expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome.

‘Not Satisfied At All’

“We are not satisfied at all,” he told reporters. “The Chief Adviser did not commit to a deadline—he only said the elections would be held sometime between December and June. That is not acceptable to us.”

Alamgir stressed that elections must take place by December, warning that further delay could deepen Bangladesh’s political and economic instability.

“We’ve made it clear that December is our cutoff,” he added.

Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate who took over as head of the interim government in August following the departure of Sheikh Hasina to India amid anti-government protests, has been navigating political uncertainty since assuming office.

His appointment followed prolonged tensions with the previous administration under Hasina’s nearly 16-year rule.

New Political Party

Recently, a group of student activists who were at the forefront of protests against the Hasina government launched a new political outfit—the National Citizen Party (NCP)—with Yunus’s backing.

The NCP has called for elections only after necessary reforms and accountability measures are in place, including the prosecution of former regime leaders.

BNP Supports Reform Agenda

Despite their dissatisfaction with the election timeline, the BNP has expressed full support for the reform agenda.

“We are ready to draft a charter based on a consensus among all parties,” said Alamgir. “But only an elected political party can implement those reforms effectively.”

Speaking separately to the media, BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury argued that there is no reason to delay the polls, especially since there is already broad agreement on the reforms.

“The Chief Adviser himself acknowledged that the reforms are ready and agreed upon—so elections could be held even before December,” he said.

Mixed Impacts

Law Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul noted that while the interim government’s decisions have had mixed impacts on the BNP, the party has shown a strong commitment to the reform process by supporting most of the proposals.

“There are some differences when it comes to the timing of the election,” Nazrul acknowledged. “But the Chief Adviser has reiterated that polls will be held between December and June—not as a delay tactic, but as part of a timeline for swift implementation.”

‘Free And Frank’ Talks

According to the Chief Adviser’s office, the meeting with BNP leaders was held in a “free and frank” manner.

However, NCP convenor Nahid Islam, who recently resigned from the government to establish the party, expressed concerns about bias within the bureaucracy.

“The administration still favours the BNP in many cases,” he claimed. “Under such conditions, the NCP believes that holding a fair election would not be possible.”

Russian Drone Strike Kills Three In Dnipro, Including Child, Ukraine Says

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 13:06

A mass drone strike by Russian forces on Wednesday evening killed three people, including a child, and injured several others in the southeastern Ukrainian city of Dnipro, according to the regional governor.

Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, wrote on the Telegram messaging app that 30 people had been injured, including five children. Sixteen people were being treated in hospital.

The attack triggered several fires.

Mayor Borys Filatov said one strike came within 100 metres (110 yards) of the municipal offices. He also said at least 15 dwellings had been damaged, as well as a student residence, an educational institution and a food processing plant.

Pictures posted online showed a large blaze and firefighters working at the scene well into the night, as well as gutted vehicles and buildings with smashed windows and damaged facades.

In northeastern Kharkiv region, governor Oleh Syniehubov said a Russian missile attack injured two people in the town of Izium. The town was captured by Russian troops in the early days of the February 2022 invasion, but was retaken by Ukrainian forces later in the year.

Three Injured In Odesa

A Russian drone strike on the Black Sea port city of Odesa overnight injured three people, ignited fires, and damaged homes and civilian infrastructure, officials in southern Ukraine reported early on Wednesday.

“The enemy has again attacked Odesa with a massive drone attack,” Oleh Kiper, governor of the region whose administrative centre is the city of Odesa, said on messaging app Telegram, though the full scale of the attack was not clear.

Ukraine’s air force usually reports details of overnight Russian attacks later in the morning.

Sumy Bombings

Ukraine’s Air Force had reported that new Russian missiles and guided bombs targeted Sumy in northeastern Ukraine on Monday evening, following a missile strike that killed 35 people the day before.

Local officials said the missile strike occurred on the outskirts of the city and reported no casualties. Checks were being conducted to determine the extent of any damage.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said two of its missiles had struck a meeting of Ukrainian military officers on Sunday in Sumy. Ukraine called the strike a deliberate attack on civilians.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Trump Administration Warns Harvard Could Lose Foreign Student Enrollment Rights

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 12:34

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has warned that Harvard University may lose its authority to enroll foreign students if it fails to comply with the demands of Trump administration to provide information on certain visa holders. This marks the government’s latest escalation against the university.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also announced on Wednesday the termination of two DHS grants totaling more than $2.7 million to Harvard.

Noem said she wrote a letter to Harvard demanding records on what she called the “illegal and violent activities” of Harvard’s foreign student visa holders by April 30.

“And if Harvard cannot verify it is in full compliance with its reporting requirements, the university will lose the privilege of enrolling foreign students,” Noem said in a statement.

A Harvard spokesperson said the university was aware of Noem’s letter “regarding grant cancellations and scrutiny of foreign student visas.”

The spokesperson said the university stood by its statement earlier in the week to “not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights” while saying it will comply with the law.

President Donald Trump’s administration has threatened universities with federal funding cuts over pro-Palestinian campus protests against U.S. ally Israel’s devastating military assault on Gaza after a deadly October 2023 attack by Palestinian Hamas militants.

Trump casts the protesters as foreign policy threats who are antisemitic and sympathetic to Hamas. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the Trump administration wrongly conflates their advocacy for Palestinian rights and criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza with support for extremism and antisemitism.

The Trump administration is also attempting to deport some foreign protesters and has revoked hundreds of visas across the country.

“With a $53.2 billion endowment, Harvard can fund its own chaos – DHS won’t,” Noem said, adding an “anti-American, pro-Hamas ideology” existed at Harvard.

Harvard has previously said it worked to fight antisemitism and other prejudice on its campus while preserving academic freedoms and the right to protest.

Trump’s Crackdown

The Trump administration said late last month it was reviewing $9 billion in federal contracts and grants to Harvard and later called for restrictions – including a mask ban and removal of diversity, equity and inclusion programs – to be put in place for the university to continue receiving federal money.

Harvard on Monday rejected numerous demands that it said would cede control to the government. The Trump administration subsequently said it was freezing $2.3 billion in funding.

Trump also threatened on Tuesday to strip Harvard of its tax-exempt status. CNN reported on Wednesday the U.S. Internal Revenue Service was making plans to rescind the tax-exempt status of Harvard and that a final decision was expected soon.

Harvard said there was no legal basis to rescind its tax-exempt status, saying such an action will be unprecedented, will diminish its financial aid for students and will lead to abandonment of some critical medical research programs.

Human rights advocates have raised free speech and academic freedom concerns over the crackdown by the government.

The Trump administration has frozen or canceled some funding for universities like Columbia, Princeton, Brown, Cornell and Northwestern as well.

It has also threatened to withhold funding over culture war issues such as DEI programs and transgender policies.

Rights advocates have also raised concerns about Islamophobia and anti-Arab bias during the Israel-Gaza war. The Trump administration has not announced steps in response.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Rubio, Witkoff Travel To Paris For Talks On Ukraine And Iran With European Leaders

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 12:11

Two senior national security advisers to President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, are scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Thursday. The visit aims to align U.S. and European efforts toward resolving the war in Ukraine and preventing a potential conflict with Iran.

The two advisers are expected to hear European concerns about Russia amid U.S. attempts to arrange an elusive ceasefire in Ukraine three years after Russia invaded its neighbour.

Trump’s frustration with Russia and Ukraine over the ongoing bloodshed between them has been growing and he has been threatening military action against Iranian nuclear facilities.

European leaders have grown more concerned as Trump has made diplomatic gestures to Russian President Vladimir Putin and applied pressure on Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

“I’m just trying to get it stopped so that we can save a lot of lives,” Trump told reporters on Sunday.

Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said on Monday he hoped Trump and his administration would see that Putin was “mocking their goodwill” following Moscow’s deadly missile strike on the Ukrainian city of Sumy.

Besides Macron, the French foreign ministry said Rubio will also meet his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot to discuss Ukraine, prospects for a new Iran nuclear deal and the Middle East.

Witkoff plans to fly on to Rome for a second round of discussions on Saturday with Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi about Iran’s nuclear program. They met for 45 minutes last Saturday in Oman.

Positive Talks But No Deal Yet

Both sides described last weekend’s talks as positive while acknowledging that any potential deal remains distant.

Trump said on Monday he was willing to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities if a deal was not reached.

On Tuesday, he held a meeting with top national security advisers at the White House focused on Iran’s nuclear program, according to sources familiar with the encounter.

The United States had not told European countries about the nuclear talks in Oman before Trump announced them, even though they hold a key card on the possible reimposition of U.N. sanctions on Tehran. Thursday’s talks will be a key opportunity for potential coordination between U.S. and Europe.

Trump has restored a “maximum pressure” campaign on Tehran since February, after the U.S. leader ditched a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and six world powers during his first term and reimposed crippling sanctions on the Islamic Republic.

Trump said on Monday he believes Iran is intentionally delaying a nuclear deal with the United States and that it must abandon any drive for a nuclear weapon or face a possible military strike on Tehran’s atomic facilities.

“I think they’re tapping us along,” Trump told reporters.

(With inputs from Reuters)

China And Malaysia To Focus On Peace And Stability In South China Sea Disputes

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 11:45

China and Malaysia emphasized the importance of resolving tensions in the South China Sea through peaceful means and pledged their support for the United Nations. The joint statement was released on Thursday at the end of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Malaysia.

There have been several encounters with Chinese vessels at Malaysian state energy firm Petronas’ oil and gas projects in recent years. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has said Petronas will continue its exploration activities in Malaysia’s exclusive economic zone, despite objections from China.

Xi departed Kuala Lumpur for Cambodia on Thursday, the final stop of a three-nation tour of Southeast Asia that saw him visit Vietnam earlier this week.

In the joint statement, the countries said they looked forward to concluding negotiations between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on a code of conduct for the South China Sea next year.

ASEAN and China pledged in 2002 to create a code of conduct, but it took 15 years to start discussions, and progress has been slow.

The South China Sea has been a source of tension between China and its Southeast Asian neighbours, disrupting fishing and energy exploration in the region.

China claims sovereignty over almost the entire South China Sea, including parts of the exclusive economic zones of Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Vietnam. In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled that China’s claims have no basis under international law. China does not recognise the ruling.

Throughout Xi’s trip this week there has been strong support for multilateralism and trade, in contrast to a confrontational U.S. approach on tariffs, and the joint statement reiterated that with a call to enhance cooperation under the United Nations, WTO, WHO, and the BRICS grouping of countries.

“Both sides will jointly promote universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation, advance trade and investment facilitation, and reject the unilateral trade restrictive measures including arbitrary tariffs hikes that are inconsistent with the WTO rules,” the statement said.

Malaysia reiterated its commitment to the one China policy, and said it would not support any call for Taiwan’s independence.

The countries also said that Gaza is an inalienable part of the territory of Palestine, and urged a full and effective implementation of the ceasefire agreement.

($1 = 4.4100 ringgit)

(With inputs from Reuters)

Malaysia: PM Anwar’s Meeting With Myanmar Junta Leader Faces Criticism

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 10:30

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is scheduled to meet with Myanmar’s junta leader in Bangkok on Thursday to advocate for an extension of the ceasefire—an initiative that has drawn criticism from several groups opposing the military in the earthquake-stricken country.

Anwar, as the current chair of the 10-nation ASEAN grouping, has said he will meet Myanmar’s Senior General Min Aung Hlaing on humanitarian grounds, although the Southeast Asian bloc itself has shunned the junta brass for years.

“There’s a possibility of the junta exploiting these opportunities to build up legitimacy within the ASEAN framework,” said Sai Kyi Zin Soe, an independent political analyst based in Thailand.

Diplomatic Opening

After Myanmar’s military deposed an elected civilian government in a 2021 coup and sparked a civil war, ASEAN barred the ruling generals from its meetings for their failure to comply with the bloc’s peace plan.

But a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.7 that struck Myanmar on March 28, killing more than 3,600, provided Min Aung Hlaing with a rare diplomatic opening, including a visit to Bangkok for key meetings in early April.

Two diplomatic sources in Bangkok told Reuters that Min Aung Hlaing would return within a fortnight to meet Anwar in the Thai capital.

One of the sources added that they would be joined by Thailand’s former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, whom Anwar has appointed a personal adviser in his role as ASEAN chair.

Malaysia’s embassy in Thailand and the Thai foreign ministry did not respond to queries about the Myanmar-related meetings in Bangkok, where Anwar is also set to hold talks with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s daughter.

Utmost Caution

A number of anti-junta groups, including the shadow National Unity Government (NUG) and the Karen National Union, urged “utmost caution” regarding the meeting, which they said was being held under the pretext of delivering humanitarian aid.

“The military junta led by Min Aung Hlaing is a perpetrator of clear violations of the ASEAN five-point consensus,” they said in a statement on Wednesday, referring to the grouping’s peace plan for Myanmar.

“Any unilateral engagement with the military leader – widely regarded as a terrorist – must be approached with the utmost caution.”

Meeting Could Undermine Previous Stance

Prior to his visit, Anwar said he would seek to extend a ceasefire called since the quake, Myanmar’s deadliest natural disaster in decades that struck during a civil war which displaced more than 3.5 million people and shattered the economy.

The military declared a 20-day ceasefire on April 2, following similar moves by rebel groups and the NUG, but has kept up airstrikes since, the United Nations and other groups have said.

“ASEAN … they’ve boycotted the participation of the junta since 2021,” added the analyst, Sai Kyi Zin Soe. “So now this meeting could really undermine that position.”

ASEAN is made up of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

(With inputs from Reuters)

UK Supreme Court Rules ‘Woman’ Refers To Biological Sex

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 10:00

UK’s Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday that, under equality laws, only biological women are legally recognized as women, a landmark decision that sparked concern among transgender advocates but was welcomed by the government as providing legal clarity.

The much-anticipated ruling centred on whether a trans woman with a gender recognition certificate (GRC), a formal document giving legal recognition of someone’s new gender, is protected from discrimination as a woman under Britain’s Equality Act.

The decision confirms that single-sex services for women such as refuges, hospital wards and sports can exclude trans women, clearing up legal ambiguity. Transgender campaigners said the decision could lead to discrimination, especially over employment issues.

Not A Triumph

“The unanimous decision of this court is that the terms ‘women’ and ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 refer to a biological woman and biological sex,” Deputy President of the Supreme Court Patrick Hodge said.

“But we counsel against reading this judgment as a triumph for one or more groups in our society at the expense of another – it is not.”

Transgender rights have become a highly political issue in Britain and other parts of the world. Some critics say the conservative right has weaponised identity politics to attack minority groups, while others argue that liberal support for transgender people has infringed on the rights of biological women.

In the United States, legal challenges are underway after President Donald Trump issued executive orders that include barring transgender people from military service.

Scottish Guidance

Wednesday’s judgment in Britain followed legal action by a campaign group, For Women Scotland (FWS), against guidance issued by the devolved Scottish government that accompanied a 2018 law designed to increase the proportion of women on public sector boards.

The guidance said a trans woman with a gender recognition certificate was legally a woman. FWS, which was backed by lesbian rights groups, lost its case in the Scottish courts, but the Supreme Court ruled in its favour.

“Today the judges have said what we always believed to be the case: that women are protected by their biological sex, that sex is real and that women can now feel safe that services and spaces designated for women are for women,” Susan Smith, co-director of FWS, told cheering supporters outside court.

More Clarity

Britain’s Labour government said the Supreme Court’s decision would bring clarity for hospitals, refuges and sports clubs.

“Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by this government,” a government spokesperson said.

In an example of the ruling’s potential impact, a Scottish health organisation that is being sued by a nurse it suspended over her response to a trans woman using a female changing room said it had noted the judgment.

“We will now take time to carefully consider the judgment and its implications,” a spokesperson for NHS Fife said.

Rowling Welcomes Verdict

Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, who has been vocally gender critical, was among those who welcomed the decision.

“It took three extraordinary, tenacious Scottish women with an army behind them to get this case heard by the Supreme Court and, in winning, they’ve protected the rights of women and girls across the UK,” Rowling said on X.

The Supreme Court said trans people, whether trans women or men, would not be disadvantaged by its decision as the Equality Act afforded them protection against discrimination or harassment.

Attack On Trans Rights

Trans rights campaigners said the ruling had worrying implications.

“Today is a challenging day, and we are deeply concerned at the widespread, harmful implications of today’s Supreme Court ruling,” a consortium of LGBT+ organisations, including prominent group Stonewall, said in a statement.

“We need to take the time to digest the full implications of the ruling and to understand what this will mean on both legal and practical levels … it is important to be reminded that the Supreme Court reaffirmed that the Equality Act protects trans people against discrimination.”

Trans woman and campaigner ‪Ellie Gomersall said it was “another attack on the rights of trans people to live our lives in peace”.

Legal experts said the ruling showed equality legislation might need to be urgently updated to ensure trans people were protected.

Phillip Pepper, employment partner at law firm Shakespeare Martineau, said the court’s decision could “create further division and increase tensions” in the short term.

“However, it will offer long-term clarity for businesses which have been left to interpret ambiguous, contradictory legislation on their own until this point, potentially landing in hot water as a result,” he said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

U.S. Senator Denied Access To Wrongfully Deported Man In El Salvador

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 09:00

Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen said on Wednesday that El Salvador had denied him access to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a wrongly deported man from the U.S., who is now held in a notorious prison.

Van Hollen arrived in El Salvador on Wednesday to meet with senior officials and advocate for Abrego Garcia’s release, but was told by El Salvador’s Vice President Felix Ulloa that he could not authorize a visit or a call with Abrego Garcia.

El Salvador Getting Paid, Claims Van Hollen

Van Hollen, who is a member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said Ulloa also told him El Salvador was not releasing Abrego Garcia because the United States was paying to keep him incarcerated.

“Why should the government of the United States pay the government of El Salvador to lock up a man who was illegally abducted from the United States and committed no crime?” said Van Hollen, a senator from Maryland, where Abrego Garcia lived.

The government of El Salvador did not respond to a request for comment on Van Hollen’s visit.

WH Slams Senator

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Democratic senator was potentially using taxpayer dollars to “demand the release of [a] deported illegal alien MS-13 terrorist”.

“It’s appalling and sad that Senator Van Hollen and the Democrats applauding his trip to El Salvador today are incapable of having any shred of common sense or empathy for their own constituents and our citizens,” she told reporters.

The U.S. Supreme Court has directed the Trump administration to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return, after Washington acknowledged he was deported due to an administrative error.

Bleak Future

In a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, said he had no plans to return Abrego Garcia. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has separately said it does not have the authority to bring the man back to the United States.

Abrego Garcia, 29, left El Salvador at age 16 to escape gang-related violence, his lawyers said. He was granted a protective order in 2019 to continue living in the U.S. and has never been charged with or convicted of any crime.

His lawyers have also denied the Justice Department’s allegation he is a member of the criminal gang MS-13.

Wholesale Deportation

Along with Abrego Garcia, the Trump administration has deported hundreds of people, mostly Venezuelans, whom it says are gang members, to El Salvador under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 without presenting evidence and without a trial.

Neither government has released the names of the men incarcerated, and the men have not had access to lawyers or any contact with the outside world since arriving at the prison, lawyers have said.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Trump Blocked Israeli Strike, Opted For Iran Talks: Reports

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 08:00

President Trump blocked a planned Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites, opting instead to pursue a deal to limit Tehran’s nuclear programme, the New York Times reported Wednesday, citing U.S. officials.

Israel had developed plans to attack the sites in May, according to the newspaper, which added that the goal was to set back Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon by a year or more.

The New York Times said U.S. assistance was required not just to defend Israel from Iranian retaliation but also to ensure the attack was successful.

‘Positive’, ‘Constructive’ Talks

After months of internal debate, Trump made the decision to seek negotiations with Iran rather than support military action.

The U.S. and Iran held talks in Oman last Saturday – the first time during a Trump administration, including his 2017-2021 first term. Both countries described the talks as “positive” and “constructive”.

A second round is scheduled for Saturday, and a source briefed on the planning said the meeting was likely to be held in Rome.

‘Technical Malfunction’

Meanwhile, an Israeli fighter jet dropped a bomb close to the Israeli community on the Gaza border on Tuesday, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) describing it as a ‘technical malfunction’.

The bomb fell close to the Nir Yithzak kibbutz adjacent to southern Gaza, media reports said.

“A short while ago, a munition fell from an IDF fighter jet that was on its way to a mission in the Gaza Strip. The munition landed in an open area near Nir Yitzhak due to a technical malfunction,” the Israeli military said in a short statement, as quoted by CNN.

The IDF did not clarify the type of bomb.

A spokesman for Nir Yitzhak told the American news channel that the bomb landed in the village’s farm area.

Nir Yitzhak was one of the areas that was attacked by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Trump Joins U.S.-Japan Trade Talks, Calls It ‘Big Progress’

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 07:00

President Trump called it “big progress” after unexpectedly joining U.S.-Japan trade talks with a Japanese delegation in Washington on Wednesday, amid ongoing global tariff disputes.

Japan is one of the first countries to formally kick off negotiations, an early test of Washington’s willingness to cede ground on the duties that have roiled financial markets and stoked fear of recession.

‘Great Honor’

“A Great Honor to have just met with the Japanese Delegation on Trade. Big Progress!” Trump said in a social media message that contained no details of the discussions.

Opposite Trump for Wednesday’s talks was Ryosei Akazawa, an ally of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who only took up his first cabinet post late last year in the relatively junior position of economic revitalisation minister.

Tokyo had not expected Trump to participate in what it viewed as a preliminary fact-finding mission, according to sources familiar with Tokyo’s planning, and had been hoping to limit the scope of discussions to trade and investment matters.

Exchange Rates Not Discussed

Speaking to reporters after the talks, Akazawa gave little away about the details of the discussions but said the parties had agreed to hold a second meeting later this month and that Trump had said getting a deal with Japan was a “top priority”.

The issue of exchange rates, which Trump has previously accused Japan of manipulating to get a trade advantage, was not part of the discussion, he added.

The dollar briefly strengthened as much as 0.54% against the yen after Akazawa’s remarks on forex.

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick also participated along with other officials.

First Mover Advantage

Trump earlier on Wednesday said he would also discuss the issue of how much Tokyo pays towards hosting U.S. troops in Japan, the biggest U.S. overseas deployment.

Akazawa said he would not comment on the specifics of the negotiations but added that he strongly requested a revocation of the tariffs on Japan.

Japan has been hit with 24% levies on its exports to the United States although these rates have, like most of Trump’s tariffs, been paused for 90 days. But a 10% universal rate remains in place as does a 25% duty for cars, a mainstay of Japan’s export-reliant economy.

Bessent has said there is a “first mover advantage” given Washington has said more than 75 countries have requested talks since Trump announced sweeping duties on dozens of countries – both friend and foe – earlier this month.

However, Ishiba said on Monday that his country, a close U.S. ally, won’t rush to reach a deal and does not plan to make big concessions. Akazawa said he believed Washington wanted to strike a deal in the 90-day window.

Trump has long complained about the U.S. trade deficit with Japan and other countries, saying U.S. businesses have been disadvantaged by trade practices and intentional efforts by other countries to maintain weak currencies.

Tokyo denies it manipulates its yen currency to gain advantage.

‘Win-Win’ Situation

Bessent had previously said he is hoping to strike deals that would cover tariffs, non-tariff barriers and exchange rates, though Tokyo had lobbied to keep the latter separate.

Possible Japanese investment in a multi-billion dollar gas project in Alaska could also feature, Bessent has said.

Japan hopes that pledges to expand investment in the United States will help to convince the U.S. that the two countries can achieve a “win-win” situation without tariffs, Akazawa said ahead of his departure.

Bessent met Vietnam’s deputy prime minister last week to discuss trade and has invited South Korea’s finance minister to Washington for talks next week. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will meet Trump at the White House on Thursday to discuss tariffs imposed on the European Union.

(With inputs from Reuters)

Judge Warns Trump Team Of Criminal Charges Over Deportations

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 06:14

Trump administration officials may face criminal contempt charges for defying a U.S. federal judge’s order that temporarily stopped the deportation of alleged members of a Venezuelan gang. The judge stated Wednesday that the individuals were removed without being given an opportunity to contest their deportations.

In a written ruling, U.S. District Judge James Boasberg in Washington found “probable cause” to hold officials in criminal contempt of court, saying the administration demonstrated “willful disregard” for his March 15 order barring the deportations to El Salvador under the 1798 Alien Enemies Act.

Many of the migrants’ lawyers and family members say those deported are not gang members and were never given a chance to contest the U.S. government’s assertion that they were.

Wednesday’s ruling is the closest any court has come to suggesting punishing the administration since President Donald Trump returned to the White House on January 20, and escalates the confrontation between the judicial and executive branches.

The U.S. Justice Department appealed the ruling to the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Justice Department Cry Foul

Boasberg said the administration could still avoid being held in contempt by taking steps to comply with his order – namely, by allowing the migrants to challenge their removals in court. He gave the administration until April 23 to outline what steps it would take, or to identify the officials who decided to disregard his order so they could potentially be prosecuted.

The judge noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had retweeted an X post in which El Salvador President Nayib Bukele shared a link to a news story about Boasberg’s order blocking deportations and said, “Oopsie…Too late.”

“Boasts by Defendants intimated that they had defied the Court’s Order deliberately and gleefully,” the judge wrote.

White House Communications Director Steven Cheung said on X the administration would seek immediate appellate relief.

A Justice Department spokesperson said: “His (Boasberg’s) underhanded attempt to maintain power over this case is a judicial power grab that the Department of Justice will fight by all means necessary.”

‘Strong Rebuke’

The Trump administration faces more than 150 legal challenges to its policies. Democrats and some legal analysts say officials in some cases are dragging their feet in complying with unfavorable court orders, signaling a potential willingness to disobey an independent, coequal branch of government.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Paula Xinis in Maryland said she would ramp up an inquiry into whether the administration violated an order that it secure the return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man the administration has acknowledged was wrongly deported to El Salvador, but said she would not hold the administration in contempt just yet.

On Wednesday, the Justice Department appealed Xinis’ order, which would require officials to face questioning on the steps they had taken to facilitate Abrego Garcia’s return.

Boasberg’s order goes further. He wrote that if the administration does not purge its contempt, he could require officials to submit sworn declarations or face questioning under oath. The judge said he could order that a government prosecutor take up the case, or potentially appoint another lawyer to act as a prosecutor if the government refuses.

“It’s a very strong rebuke to the administration,” said Professor Jonathan Hafetz at the Seton Hall University School of Law.

Trump called for Boasberg’s impeachment over his blocking of the deportations. That prompted a rare rebuke from U.S. Chief Justice John Roberts, who said appeals, not impeachments, were the proper response to disagreements with court orders.

The judiciary is not the only U.S. institution to come under pressure. The Trump administration has targeted others that have long cherished their independence from partisan politics, such as universities and law firms.

Unlawful Conduct

The case stems from Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act. It is best known for its use to intern and deport people of Japanese, German and Italian descent during World War Two. Some were U.S. citizens.

Lawyers for the migrants in El Salvador have told Reuters they have not been able to visit, speak to or learn about the whereabouts and conditions of their clients.

“Today’s decision affirms what we have long known: the government’s conduct in this case is unlawful and a threat to people and our Constitution,” said Skye Perryman, president of Democracy Forward, an advocacy group for migrants in the case.

Presidential Pardon

It was unclear whether the threat of contempt would compel the administration to comply with Boasberg’s order. In general, the threat has been enough to get government officials to comply. Government officials are rarely found in contempt and threatened with jail time.

The president may pardon people convicted of criminal contempt, says the U.S. Congressional Research Service, an independent entity that provides policy analysis to lawmakers.

In 2017, during his first term in office, Trump pardoned former Arizona lawman Joe Arpaio less than a month after he was convicted of criminal contempt in a case involving racial profiling.

(With inputs from Reuters)

US Vice President JD Vance To Meet PM Modi On India Visit Next Week

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 05:00

U.S. Vice President JD Vance and the second family will travel to Italy and India from April 18 to 24, with plans to advance economic and strategic discussions in both countries.

According to a statement from the Vice President’s office, JD Vance will first visit Rome before heading to India later in the week.

His wife, Usha Vance—America’s first Indian-American second lady—will accompany him, along with their three children: Ewan, Vivek, and Mirabel.

First Trip To India

This marks Vice President Vance’s first official trip to India. During his visit, he will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 21 in New Delhi, as confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs.

The Vance delegation will also travel to Jaipur and Agra, participating in cultural events alongside bilateral engagements.

Trade Talks

Vance’s India visit comes amid renewed trade tensions, following President Trump’s recent call for a 90-day global suspension of reciprocal tariffs—excluding China—as concerns over a potential trade war escalate.

Trade talks are expected to feature prominently in the discussions, with a senior Indian official telling Bloomberg News that India hopes to finalise a trade agreement with the U.S. within six weeks.

Vance-Modi Paris Meeting

This trip follows a meeting between Modi and Vance in Paris in February, on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit.

That meeting preceded Modi’s US visit to meet President Donald Trump, who had recently returned to office.

The White House noted that the two leaders discussed expanding US-India cooperation in clean energy, particularly through American nuclear technology.

Vance’s Italy Trip

In Italy, Vance is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.

His meetings in Rome will coincide with Easter-related ceremonies and follow Meloni’s own visit to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump, where EU tariff relief is on the agenda.

Vance’s visit comes as trade negotiations heat up under Trump’s renewed trade agenda.

Previously imposed tariffs triggered global market volatility, though the administration later scaled back the measures to a temporary 10% rate to allow time for new deals. Both Italy and India are critical U.S. trading partners seeking resolution under this framework.

Trump’s Influence Looms Over Australia’s Election As Trust In US Hits Record Low

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 03:00

U.S. President Donald Trump is casting a shadow over the final weeks of Australia’s general election campaign, posing a challenge for conservative opposition leader Peter Dutton, as a new poll reveals Australians’ trust in the United States has reached an all-time low.

A survey released on Wednesday by the Lowy Institute, a research foundation, found only 36% of Australians expressed any level of trust in the U.S. to act responsibly, down 20 points since the last survey in June 2024 and the lowest since the annual poll was launched two decades ago.

Trump’s blustery style and often disruptive policies, including “reciprocal” tariffs against long-time allies and attacks on U.S. government agencies, have begun to alarm Australia’s voters, analysts, and academics say, as they have in Canada, where the ruling party’s fortunes revived dramatically ahead of elections this month.

Similarly, the Labor Party of Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has surged in the polls from a deficit of six points against Dutton’s conservative coalition as recently as January to a lead now of as much as nine points, with only three-and-a-half weeks until the May 3 election.

“Trump has emerged as the third candidate in this election campaign,” said Mark Kenny, a professor specialising in politics at the Australian National University in Canberra.

“He’s made it quite difficult for Peter Dutton to get his message across, and made it difficult for Dutton to be seen as an entirely independent figure in this election campaign.”

The Lowy survey reinforced polling by Resolve Strategic, conducted after Trump’s April 2 tariff announcement and released on Monday, that showed a third of voters – and 35% of undecided voters – said they were now less likely to vote for Dutton because of Trump.

“Given President Donald Trump’s norm-shattering approach to his second term, it’s no surprise that Australians are less trusting of the United States,” said Ryan Neelam, the Lowy Institute’s Director of Public Opinion and Foreign Policy.

The Lowy Institute polling was conducted in March, before Trump announced his swathe of tariffs, including a blanket 10% on all Australian imports.

‘DOGE-Y Dutton’

Dutton has campaigned on several policies seen widely as emulating Trump and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), set up by Elon Musk. In January, Dutton appointed Jacinta Nampijinpa Price as a shadow minister for government efficiency, a position inspired by Musk’s role, analysts said.

“With Australians sick of the wasteful spending that is out of control … Jacinta will be looking closely at how we can achieve a more efficient use of taxpayers’ money,” Dutton said at the time.

However, concerns over Trump’s policies have begun dragging down Dutton’s popularity.

After a voter backlash, Dutton was forced to abandon a policy that would have required government workers to return to the office full time while cutting tens of thousands of public sector jobs.

Polling showed those policies were turning off voters in outer metropolitan areas, home to many of Australia’s battleground seats.

The Labor Party has capitalised on the shift in public sentiment, with Treasurer Jim Chalmers repeatedly referring to the opposition leader as “DOGE-y Dutton”.

Albanese said on Tuesday that Dutton would enact “DOGE-style cuts” to the public sector if he were elected.

“(Australians) are not enjoying the turmoil and the capriciousness of the White House, and Dutton’s early enthusiasm, along with other conservatives to celebrate Trump’s win, has been pretty much lead in his saddlebags all the way through this campaign,” Australian National University’s Kenny said.

“That weight has just got heavier and heavier as Trump has become less and less popular.”

(With inputs from Reuters)

China Seeks EU Partnership To Counter US ‘Abuse’, Says Envoy To Spain

Team StratNews;

Apr 17 2025, 01:00

China seeks to engage the European Union (EU) as a partner, not a rival, its ambassador to Spain stated, amid shifting global politics and Washington’s new trade policy, which he described as unilateral economic abuse.

Yao Jing told Reuters the EU’s 2019 strategy that defined China as its “partner for cooperation, economic competitor and systemic rival” made little sense as both championed open markets and rules-based trade.

“We should put our focus on partnership. China will never be a threat or any kind of enemy to the EU,” Yao said, praising the bloc’s multilateral approach to foreign affairs, as opposed to President Donald Trump’s isolationist agenda.

Last week, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez met with President Xi Jinping in Beijing. The visit was widely seen as a bid to forge closer economic and political ties between China and Europe amid the fallout from Trump’s tariffs.

Just before Sanchez’s trip, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent warned that moving closer to the Asian country would be “cutting your own throat”, a comment dismissed by Madrid.

Yao said he was shocked by Bessent’s remarks, adding that the U.S. “in fact cuts everyone’s throats” with its unilateral tariffs.

“And this is why China is firmly against this kind of economic abuse by the United States,” he said.

‘Open Door’

Yao said Europe should drop its export controls on certain high-tech products, including semiconductors, as well as tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) and limitations for Chinese companies such as Huawei or ZTE to access Europe’s 5G network.

Beijing, in its turn, has been opening up sectors such as telecommunications, banking or manufacturing for foreign investment, he said.

Yao said the EU’s trade deficit with China, of around $345 billion last year, could not disappear overnight due to structural issues, but expected gradual progress.

“We’ve made it very clear that China will open its door with the passage of time, and this door will never be closed. We’re ready to open our market to other EU members, like we just did with Spain,” he said.

The two countries agreed on Friday to allow Chinese market access to Spanish pork stomach – a product widely consumed in China but not previously authorised. Some analysts saw it as a signal Beijing might ease its anti-dumping inquiry into EU pork, launched last year in retaliation for EU tariffs on Chinese EVs.

Yao said the probe was ongoing, but there was a willingness to address differences through negotiations.

(With inputs from Reuters)