Trump Tariffs Blocked, Iran Strike ‘On Hold’

Andrew Sheves Good morning.

✋** Trump Tariffs Blocked**

A US trade court ruled President Trump’s global tariffs illegal and blocked their implementation, delivering a major blow to a cornerstone of his economic agenda. The three-judge panel sided with Democratic states and small businesses who argued Trump wrongfully invoked emergency powers to justify the levies, marking one of his biggest legal setbacks amid widespread challenges to his executive orders. Global markets have fluctuated wildly since the tariffs were announced April 2, with trillions in market value lost and regained amid delays and potential trade deal announcements. More - Bloomberg

🇮🇷** Trump Requests Israel ‘Hold Off’ Iran Strike**

President Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to hold off on striking Iranian nuclear facilities, saying it “would be inappropriate right now because we’re very close to a solution” as US-Iran nuclear talks continue in Oman and Italy. Iranian sources indicate Tehran may pause uranium enrichment for a year if Washington releases frozen funds and recognizes Iran’s right to civilian nuclear programs under a potential political deal. The key sticking point remains Iran’s refusal to eliminate enrichment capabilities, which it calls an infringement on sovereignty, while the US demands firm commitments to halt activities it views as potential weapons pathways. More - Al Jazeera

Asia Stability Ratings and News Summary

More Unstable

🇦🇫 Afghanistan, 🇦🇲 Armenia, 🇦🇿 Azerbaijan, 🇧🇩 Bangladesh, 🇧🇹 Bhutan, 🇰🇭 Cambodia, 🇬🇪 Georgia, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇰🇿 Kazakhstan, 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan, 🇱🇦 Laos, 🇲🇻 Maldives, 🇲🇳 Mongolia, 🇲🇲 Myanmar, 🇳🇵 Nepal, 🇰🇵 North Korea, 🇵🇰 Pakistan, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇰🇷 South Korea, 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka, 🇹🇼 Taiwan, 🇹🇯 Tajikistan, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇹🇲 Turkmenistan

More Stable

No countries were more stable over this period

Unchanged

🇧🇳 Brunei, 🇨🇳 China, 🇹🇱 East Timor, 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan, 🇻🇳 Vietnam

Regional News Summary

In Singapore, the economy demonstrated resilience with a growth rate of 3.9% in the first quarter of 2025, prompting the government to maintain its forecast of 0-2% growth through 2025. Notably, China has become Singapore’s third-largest services trade partner, with calls for Asian nations to resist tariff retaliation amidst ongoing trade tensions [SOURCE - Channel News Asia].

Political dynamics are also shifting in Singapore, where President Tharman has sworn in a new Cabinet, interpreting the recent General Election results as a strong signal of national resolve and unity [SOURCE - Channel News Asia].

In the realm of crime, Singapore has reported a troubling rise in online child exploitati

Carpe tomorrow!