World News

China Courts Vietnam Amid US Trade War

Published

4 weeks ago

April 14, 2025

Peter James

Introduction to the Tour

President Xi Jinping of China kicked off a weeklong tour of Southeast Asia, landing in Hanoi and trying to rally other nations to Beijing’s side as American tariffs threaten manufacturing networks and economic growth. In an essay published in Vietnamese state media just before his arrival, Mr. Xi called on other countries to join with China in defending stability, free trade, and an open and cooperative international environment.

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The Message from China

Mr. Xi wrote, “There are no winners in trade wars and tariff wars. Protectionism has no way out.” This message echoes his recent comments in Beijing, emphasizing the need for cooperation and free trade. Mr. Xi’s weeklong tour of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia aims to amplify this message, striking back against the United States and telling the world that he is now the leader to rely on for wealth creation and for nations that feel betrayed by the wild swings of Mr. Trump’s “America First” agenda.

Uncertainty Behind the Scenes

The next few days will likely be filled with dramatic, choreographed warmth, but behind the scenes, there’s a lot of uncertainty. Vietnam and its neighbors are all trying to appease President Trump to get tariffs lowered, which may make them resistant to making bold pro-China pronouncements. The U.S.-China trade war has made every country more vulnerable to a global recession, and more confused about where the world order might be heading.

The Anxiety Behind Confidence

Mr. Xi, some analysts said, may be far more anxious than he shows. “Xi will undoubtedly exude confidence,” said Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific Program at the German Marshall Fund. “But the unpredictable trajectory of China’s relations with the United States and the potential for decoupling of the U.S. and Chinese economies is likely extremely worrisome.”

The Impact on Southeast Asia

Asia’s industrialized countries have a lot to lose. Many rose out of poverty alongside China through decades of free trade expansion, and the so-called reciprocal tariffs Mr. Trump announced this month slammed Asia harder than expected. Vietnam found itself with a 46 percent tariff, while Cambodia faced a 49 percent tariff, and Malaysia’s rate was 24 percent.

Vietnam’s Vulnerability

Vietnam is especially intertwined with both China, which is its largest trading partner, and the United States, which has been importing more and more from Vietnam ever since Mr. Trump’s first-term tariffs led companies to move production from China to other countries. Vietnam’s exports to the U.S. — worth $137 billion in 2024 — and its huge investments from foreign companies seeking to diversify away from China are now both in jeopardy.

Balancing Acts

In response, Hanoi’s leaders are already trying to do what they have done for years — balance, flatter, and hedge. Teams of Vietnamese negotiators have gone to Washington to plead for lower tariffs, promising to buy more American products and lower trade barriers. This week, Vietnamese officials also pledged to crack down on the transshipment of Chinese products through Vietnam, which White House officials have described as a major impediment to lower tariffs.

Deals and Agreements

Dozens of deals are expected to be signed during Mr. Xi’s visit in an effort by both sides to show that collaboration will continue, regardless of American pressure. The biggest ticket items known so far include a handful of planes made in China that will be flying tourist routes in Vietnam for the first time this week with a budget airline that has also promised to buy Boeing jets. Vietnam has also signaled that it agreed to keep moving forward with a proposed railway from the Chinese border to a port outside Hanoi — a major infrastructure project that, if built, would deepen political and economic bonds between Hanoi and Beijing.

The Limits of China’s Help

The reality is that China can only do so much for the economies of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Malaysia. Its own economy is struggling with the legacy of a housing bust. The U.S. tariffs and Mr. Trump’s zero-sum approach to the world also mean major exporters are in competition with one another — with suppliers of everything from phones to clothes hunting all over the planet for demand. China has said it will seek to spur more domestic consumption, but mostly to help its own manufacturers.

Conclusion

Countries like Vietnam are stuck between a rock and a hard place. The tit-for-tat approach by the U.S. and China means that there may be less space for middlemen like Southeast Asian economies. Analysts doubt there will be enough Chinese buyers to offset losses from the U.S. market while the trade war paralyzes investment and purchasing power for consumers. As the trade war continues, it remains to be seen how Southeast Asian countries will navigate this complex and challenging situation.

World News

White Smoke Indicates Selection of New Pope

Published

17 hours ago

May 8, 2025

Peter James

White Smoke Indicates Selection of New Pope

Anticipation Builds in St. Peter’s Square

The Wait for a New Pope Continues

Anticipation had been building in St. Peter’s Square on Thursday morning as people started to think in earnest that the cardinals would elect a new pope. But when the first smoke of the day came, just before noon, it was black — indicating that there was still no consensus inside the Sistine Chapel, where the cardinals were voting.

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High Hopes for White Smoke

Because the past two conclaves to elect Francis and Benedict XVI lasted two days, many of the faithful and tourists milling around the square as a light morning rain turned into bright sunshine said they expected white smoke on Thursday but not until the evening.

Many expected white smoke in the evening
Black smoke at noon surprised the crowd
Cellphones trained on giant screens for updates

International Visitors Share Their Expectations

Judith Duru, a nursing student from Nigeria, expressed her trust in the cardinals to select a pope who can care for the people. She filmed the smoke on the screen, emphasizing that the pope’s origin did not matter as long as he had a good heart.

Hope for a pope who can understand and care for the people
Origin of the pope not a deciding factor for some
Trust in the cardinals’ decision-making process

Devoted Followers Prepare for a Long Wait

Despite the black smoke, many visitors planned to remain in St. Peter’s Square throughout the day in anticipation of the white smoke.

International crowd with flags from across the world
Some visitors prepared to stay all day
Devoted followers hope for a swift election

International Visitors Share Their Views

Hopes for Continuation of Francis’ Work

Joaquín Cáceres and Lucía Pérez, Argentines living in Spain, shared their wager on the timing of the smoke, expressing their desire for the new pope to continue Francis’ work.

Wager on the timing of the smoke
Desire for continuity in the new pope’s work
Hope for a pope who follows in Francis’ footsteps

Expectations and Preparations

Visitors like Philipp and Kathrin Wilmes from Germany and Maciej Czaharyn from Iceland shared their experiences and preparations for the long wait in the square.

Visitors share their experiences and preparations
Hope for an election before their departure
Willingness to wait for the white smoke

Youthful Enthusiasm for a Charismatic Pope

Flavia Valle, a young Italian, expressed her excitement at the prospect of seeing the new pope and her hope for a charismatic leader like Francis.

Skipping school to witness the election
Desire for a pope who connects with the youth
Hope for a charismatic leader to emerge

World News

What to expect next after 25 years of Putin?

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2025

Peter James

What to expect next after 25 years of Putin?

How has Russia’s leader maintained his longevity – and how has it shaped the world?

The Rise of Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin, the current President of Russia, has been in power for a remarkable 25 years. His journey to the top began in 1999 when he was appointed Prime Minister by then-President Boris Yeltsin. In a surprising move, Yeltsin resigned on New Year’s Eve of the same year, leaving Putin as the acting President. He won the presidential election in 2000 and has held onto power ever since.

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Key Points:

Putin’s rise to power was swift and unexpected.
He has maintained his grip on power through various means, including political maneuvering and strategic alliances.
Putin’s popularity in Russia remains high, despite criticism from the international community.

A Changing Worldview

Over the years, Putin’s worldview has evolved, shaped by his experiences in power and changing global dynamics. Initially seen as a pragmatic leader focused on stabilizing Russia after the chaos of the 1990s, Putin has since adopted a more assertive and nationalist stance.

Key Points:

Putin’s foreign policy has become more confrontational, particularly with Western countries.
He has sought to reassert Russia’s influence on the world stage, often through military interventions in neighboring countries.
Putin’s vision of a multipolar world challenges the dominance of the United States and its allies.

Impact on the World

Putin’s longevity in power has had a profound impact on the world, shaping international relations and global politics in significant ways. His assertive foreign policy and willingness to challenge the status quo have made him a polarizing figure on the world stage.

Key Points:

Putin’s support for authoritarian regimes and his efforts to undermine democratic institutions have raised concerns among Western democracies.
Russia’s involvement in conflicts in Ukraine and Syria has drawn international criticism and led to sanctions against the country.
Putin’s close relationship with other authoritarian leaders, such as China’s Xi Jinping, has created new power dynamics in global politics.

What’s Next for Putin?

As Putin celebrates 25 years in power, the question on many minds is what comes next for the Russian President. Will he continue to assert Russia’s influence on the world stage, or will he seek to consolidate his power at home?

Key Points:

Putin’s next move is uncertain, but one thing is clear: he shows no signs of stepping down anytime soon.
His grip on power remains strong, thanks in part to his popularity among the Russian people.
As the world watches, Putin’s actions in the coming years will undoubtedly shape global politics for years to come.

World News

Tesla Sales Hit 2-Year Low in Germany and U.K.

Published

3 days ago

May 6, 2025

Peter James

Tesla Sales Hit 2-Year Low in Germany and U.K.

Tesla Sales Decline in Europe Signals Shifting Trends in Electric Vehicle Market

Overview

Tesla sales in Germany and Britain fell to their lowest point in more than two years in April, cementing a wider trend of Europeans shunning the U.S. automaker, despite growing demand for battery-powered vehicles in Europe.

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Reasons for Decline

Model Y Rollout

Deliveries of the newest version of Tesla’s popular Model Y have not fully rolled out in Europe.
This could be contributing to the decline in sales as customers await the latest model.

Political Backlash

Backlash against President Trump’s tariffs and anger at Elon Musk for supporting far-right parties are impacting sales.
European consumers are turning away from U.S. products, including Tesla vehicles.

European Response

Experts believe that the decline in Tesla sales in Europe is more than just a temporary setback due to model changes. Matthias Schmidt, an analyst, stated that the issues are deeply rooted and stem from Elon Musk himself.

Impact on Market Share

Tesla’s market share in Europe has been decreasing, with other electric vehicle manufacturers gaining ground.

Norway, where Tesla once dominated electric car sales, saw its market share slip to 11%.
Chinese-made electric vehicles, such as those from BYD, have seen significant increases in sales in Europe.

Shift in Consumer Preferences

European consumers are turning towards legacy manufacturers like Volkswagen, which has experienced a recovery in sales of battery-powered vehicles.

Future Outlook

Analysts believe that the tide may be turning for Tesla in Europe, with consumers moving towards other electric vehicle options.

Mr. Schmidt noted that Europe appears to be shifting back to legacy manufacturers that have caught up in the electric vehicle market.
Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers are also gaining popularity in Europe, posing a challenge to Tesla’s dominance.

Conclusion

The decline in Tesla sales in Europe reflects a broader shift in consumer preferences and market dynamics. As European consumers turn towards alternative electric vehicle options and legacy manufacturers, Tesla may need to reassess its strategy to regain market share in the region.