New Chinese Trade Negotiator and Israel Increases Pressure on Gaza
Andrew Sheves Good morning.
🇨🇳 China Names New Trade Negotiator Amid Tariff War with US
China has appointed Li Chenggang, former assistant commerce minister and WTO ambassador, to replace veteran negotiator Wang Shouwen as its key trade envoy amid escalating tensions with the United States. The surprise move comes as Beijing faces the impact of Trump’s increased tariffs, which recently jumped from 10% to 145%, with China retaliating by raising duties on US goods to 125%. Despite reporting better-than-expected first-quarter GDP growth of 5.4%, Chinese officials warned of economic challenges ahead as the tariffs begin to affect exports. A Chinese official criticized the US approach as “tariff barriers and trade bullying” that “violates economic laws” and “has a serious impact on the world economic order.” More - BBC
🇵🇸 Israel Increased Pressure on Gaza
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has declared that troops will maintain indefinite control over captured Gaza areas, designating them as “security zones.” Katz confirmed Israel is deliberately using food restrictions as leverage against Hamas, acknowledging that humanitarian aid is being blocked as a pressure tactic. The humanitarian crisis continues to worsen with at least 19 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks since dawn today, including 10 in a Gaza City strike. According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, the confirmed death toll has reached at least 51,000 Palestinians, while the Gaza Government Media Office estimates the actual figure exceeds 61,700 when accounting for thousands presumed dead under rubble after 18 months of war. More - Al Jazeera* *
Europe Stability Ratings and News Summary
More Unstable
🇦🇱 Albania, 🇧🇪 Belgium, 🇧🇦 Bosnia And Herzegovina, 🇧🇬 Bulgaria, 🇨🇾 Cyprus, 🇪🇪 Estonia, 🇫🇷 France, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇬🇷 Greece, 🇭🇺 Hungary, 🇲🇰 Macedonia, 🇲🇩 Moldova, 🇲🇪 Montenegro, 🇳🇱 Netherlands, 🇵🇱 Poland, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇷🇴 Romania, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇷🇸 Serbia, 🇸🇰 Slovakia, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇨🇭 Switzerland, 🇹🇷 Turkey, 🇺🇦 Ukraine
More Stable
No countries were more stable over this period
Unchanged
🇦🇩 Andorra, 🇦🇹 Austria, 🇧🇾 Belarus, 🇭🇷 Croatia, 🇨🇿 Czech Republic, 🇩🇰 Denmark, 🇫🇮 Finland, 🇮🇸 Iceland, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇮🇹 Italy, 🇱🇻 Latvia, 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein, 🇱🇹 Lithuania, 🇱🇺 Luxembourg, 🇲🇹 Malta, 🇲🇨 Monaco, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇸🇲 San Marino, 🇸🇮 Slovenia, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
Regional News Summary
Switzerland’s President Karin Keller-Sutter recently engaged in discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump regarding tariffs, highlighting the need for stability in trade relationships for Swiss companies. This conversation followed Trump’s promise to suspend tariffs, a move that has been met with mixed reactions as the Swiss watch industry faces challenges, including showroom closures and job cuts at Watches of Switzerland Group [SOURCE - Swissinfo].
In France, President Emmanuel Macron’s announcement of potential recognition of a Palestinian state has stirred controversy, drawing criticism from Israel and raising q
Carpe tomorrow!