seen from Singapore
seen from Guatemala
seen from Australia
seen from China
seen from Saudi Arabia
seen from Germany
seen from Chile
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Italy
seen from China
seen from Romania
seen from Egypt
seen from China
seen from Romania
seen from Germany
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from China
seen from Russia
Canada's growing alliance with China
Canada in recent months has been growing its trade partners due to the ongoing tensions with the United States with President Donald Trump being elected last November. With that occurring Prime Minister Carney has been trying to find a balance in order to appease the American president while trying to balance Canadian interests and not retaliating against the longtime trade partner. As of currently Canada and the United States continue to go back and forth with tariffs where in March of 2025 Canada enforced a 25 per cent counter-tariff on $60 billion worth of goods after the United States enforced a 25 per cent tax on Canadian exports; this was later revalidated where Canada only implemented tariffs in regards to steel, aluminum and automotives (https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/what-u-s-goods-will-no-longer-be-subject-to-canadian-tariffs-1.7615819). Currently Canada and the United States are still developing trade deals for both countries, however Ontario Premier Doug Ford felt otherwise and released an anti-tariff ad in Canada and the United States using former United States President Ronald Reagan and his explanation of the harm and negative effects tariffs can cause to trading partners. This was received negatively from President Trump where he cancelled trade talks with Canada and threatened an increase of 10 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods if not remove (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/carney-asked-ford-to-pull-anti-tariff-ad-9.6964875). Due to the recent disagreement and trade tensions Canada has been looking for new trading partners to not be heavily reliant on the U.S., such as China. A country with different political standings than Canada which many believe can be dangerous and harmful to Canada and its Western trade partners, specifically the United States. It was to the point seminar I was in stating that Canada needs to abide their time, and explained the U.S. is transitioning where a political hiccup is occurring where Canada should not respond irrationally and consider all possibilities before making drastic trade decisions. I disagree, as researchers hypothesize that Canada will challenge its longstanding relationship with China where new opportunities can be found such as through energy, agriculture, and other commodities (https://www.policymagazine.ca/managing-canada-china-relations-in-a-shifting-geopolitical-reality/ /). Allowing for Canada and China to build new and better trade partnerships, where both Canada and China are opened even with their rocky past such as the free trade deal not following though, and the execution of 4 Canadians (https://globalnews.ca/news/11097549/china-wants-more-trade-with-canada-u-s-tariffs/). In the near future I hope Canada diversifies its trade partners, as we see with President Trump trade and history can quickly go down where both sides take losses and affect middle income and lower income people. Canada diversifying its trade partners will have a strong and positive impact for Canadians.
This is a blog post and not a 3000 word essay so I think this is enough. In the future posts might or not be longer or shorter! But for now please tell me what your thoughts are about this :) ( NO I did not proof-read this and the links added are the sources, just trying to get back in my academic mindset)
Explore the evolving US-Venezuela trade relations in 2024–25, including oil exports, top traded goods, & the impact of tariffs on bilateral
US Trade With Venezuela: Key Facts, Trends & Policy Updates
Explore the current state of US trade with Venezuela, including key import-export statistics, trade restrictions, and recent policy changes. Learn how sanctions, oil exports, and diplomatic shifts continue to shape economic relations between the two countries in 2025. Stay informed with the latest trade insights and market trends.
Trump announces 50% tariff on Brazil in retaliation for Bolsonaro trial, "The way Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro ... is an international disgrace," Trump wrote.
Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would impose 50% tariffs on Brazil, a dramatic increase that followed the US leader’s intense vocal critic
Trump hits Brazil with 50% tariff, in part due to trial of ally Jair Bolsonaro
July 9, 2025, 3:45 PM CDT / Updated July 9, 2025, 4:06 PM CDT
By Steve Kopack and Alana Satlin
President Donald Trump announced Wednesday he planned to hit Brazil with a 50% tariff, in part because of the treatment of its former president Jair Bolsonaro, his political ally.
In a letter on his Truth Social social media network, Trump told current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that "the way Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro ... is an international disgrace."
Trump has fiercely defended Bolsonaro, who is sometimes referred to as the “Trump of the tropics,” as Bolsonaro faces charges that he plotted to overturn his 2022 election loss.
"This trial should not be taking place," Trump added.
Trump accused the Brazilian government of "insidious attacks on Free Elections, and the fundamental Free Speech Rights of Americans" including censorship of "U.S. Social Media platforms."
Brazil's Supreme Court ruled last month that social media companies can be held accountable for the content posted on their platforms. Elon Musk's social media site, X, was also briefly banned last year in Brazil after Musk refused to comply with a court request to ban some accounts.
"In addition, we have had years to discuss our Trading Relationship with Brazil, and have concluded that we must move away from the longstanding, and very unfair trade relationship engendered by Brazil's Tariff, and Non-Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers. Our relationship has been, unfortunately, far from Reciprocal," Trump said.
In his letter, Trump said “unsustainable Trade Deficits against the United States” also contributed to his consideration of the high tariff rate. However, the United States has a good trade surplus with Brazil — more than $7 billion last year.
"Please understand that the 50% number is far less than what is needed to have the Level Playing Field we must have with your Country," Trump concluded.
As with other countries that have received letters from the White House, Trump threatened even higher tariffs against Brazil if it chooses to retaliate.
Brazil was the 18th-largest source of U.S. goods imports last year, with more than $42 billion worth of imports entering the country, according to U.S. International Trade Commission data.
The 50% rate is by far the highest tariff Trump has slapped on any nation so far this week as he rolls out dozens of letters on his social media platforms.
On April 2, which Trump termed "Liberation Day," he said he planned to put only a 10% tariff on Brazil.
Prosecutors in Brazil have alleged that Bolsonaro was part of a scheme that included a plan to assassinate the country’s current president, known as Lula, who defeated him in the last election, and Supreme Federal Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. Bolsonaro has denied all wrongdoing.
Trump's media company sued Moraes this year after he moved to ban the social media accounts of a pro-Bolsonaro commentator.
"Brazil is doing a terrible thing on their treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro,” Trump said Monday on Truth Social. “I have watched, as has the World, as they have done nothing but come after him, day after day, night after night, month after month, year after year! He is not guilty of anything, except having fought for THE PEOPLE.”
In a reference to his own criminal charges, Trump added: “This is nothing more, or less, than an attack on a Political Opponent — Something I know much about! It happened to me, times 10.”
U.S. Consumer Confidence Surges in May Amid Renewed Trade Optimism
American consumers showed a sharp resurgence in optimism this month, buoyed by hopes of easing trade tensions between the United States and China, according to new data from The Conference Board.
The Consumer Confidence Index soared to 98.0 in May, marking a dramatic 12.3-point jump from April’s figure and easily surpassing economists’ expectations of 86.0, based on a Dow Jones consensus.
The rebound comes after months of declining sentiment and appears to be driven largely by renewed optimism around global trade. Analysts point to the U.S. administration’s decision to pause additional tariffs on Chinese imports earlier this month as a major factor fueling the improved outlook.
“The recovery in confidence had begun before the May 12 de-escalation in U.S.-China trade tensions, but that development clearly amplified the positive momentum,” said Stephanie Guichard, senior economist for global indicators at The Conference Board.
May’s surge marks a reversal after five consecutive months of declining sentiment, during which prolonged trade disputes — particularly with China — weighed heavily on consumer and investor outlooks. A temporary truce in early May between the two economic superpowers appears to have reassured many Americans about the near-term trajectory of the economy.
Other indicators in the report also reflected growing confidence:
The Present Situation Index climbed to 135.9, up 4.8 points.
The Expectations Index made an even more pronounced gain, rising to 72.8, a jump of 17.4 points.
Investor sentiment also turned more bullish, with 44% now expecting higher stock prices over the next year — up from 37.6% in April.
Improved views on the job market were another highlight. Some 19.2% of respondents now expect more job opportunities in the next six months, compared to just 13.9% last month. Meanwhile, the percentage expecting fewer jobs fell to 26.6%, down from 32.4%.
Still, current perceptions of the labor market remain mixed. While 31.8% of consumers say jobs are “plentiful,” a slight increase, those who feel jobs are “hard to get” also rose to 18.6%.
Sentiment gains were seen across demographic groups — including age, income, and political affiliation — but the most significant improvements came from Republican respondents, according to survey officials.
Analysts caution that while May’s surge is encouraging, future confidence will likely remain sensitive to developments on the trade front and other geopolitical risks. For now, however, consumers appear to be breathing a collective sigh of relief.
What we know about how U.S. weapons sent to Israel are used in war
Israel is the largest recipient of U.S. military aid, but there are questions about how that aid is being used in the war against Hamas and concerns about whether a possible gun purchase could fuel violence in the West Bank.
Here & Now's Scott Tong speaks with Edward Wong, diplomatic correspondent for the New York Times.
This segment aired on November 20, 2023.
LISTEN 5:38 https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2023/11/20/israel-us-weapons-gaza-war
The grey wall of the future looms, a formidable divide between the two powers. Commerce chief, a figure in a white suit, stands before it, a chasm to be crossed. As he gazes, a whisper of possibility flits through the air like a nighttime breeze. Somewhere, in the distance, is the answer for a trade and tourism boost in the talks of Chinese leaders. He looks back, ready to brave the unknown in the hope of a brightened future.
