Justin Trudeau wants to revive UK-Canada trade talks in shadow of Trump

The offer comes as Ottawa remains in the White Houseโ€™s crosshairs.

EU-India seeking to elevate partnership in a year of recalibration [Advocacy Lab Content]

The EU-India dynamic has unfulfilled potential. There are loud calls for Europe to refresh its overall strategy in the Indo-Pacific and address regional divisions.
The post EU-India seeking to elevate partnership in a year of recalibration appeared fir…

Pentagon report: China boosts nuclear stockpile

Beijing has added at least 100 nuclear warheads to its arsenal this year, according to the Pentagonโ€™s annual report on Chinaโ€™s military might.

World War III is already underway. In Ukraine.

Three years in, Russiaโ€™s invasion has drawn in dozens of countries.

Britainโ€™s bold new world โ€ฆ as a Pacific trading nation

With global free-traders on the back foot amid Donald Trump’s return, the U.K. is placing its bets on the tongue-twisting CPTPP.

UK officially joins Indo-Pacific trade bloc

The alliance comprises fellow G7 members Canada and Japan, plus long-standing allies Australia and New Zealand, alongside Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.
The post UK officially joins Indo-Pacific trade bloc appeared first …

Will Donald Trump kill US-UK-Aussie sub defense deal?

The landmark defense agreement between the U.S, U.K. and Australia could be in jeopardy with the maverick Republican back in the White House.

US Defense Secretary announces new Ukraine aid, defends Bidenโ€™s record on national security

The package wonโ€™t arrive in Ukraine immediately but will consist of contracts with U.S. defense companies to build new drones and air defense munitions.

McConnell takes indirect swipe at Trump on Americaโ€™s role in the world

โ€œAmerica will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline,โ€ he said.

Chinaโ€™s bid to join major trade bloc kicked into the long grass

Tangles over Taiwan mean Costa Rica will instead become front-runner to join the 12-nation CPTPP, senior officials from member nations tell POLITICO.

Beware the growing Russia-China-North Korea-Iran alliance, NATO chief warns

The missile technology that Russia is sharing with Pyongyang โ€œpresents a dire threat to the United Statesโ€™ mainland, to Europe, to the Indo-Pacific and to the wider Euro-Atlantic,โ€ NATO’s Mark Rutte said.

Trump win will force Europe to step up defense efforts, say France and Germany

French Armed Forces Minister Sรฉbastien Lecornu and his German counterpart Boris Pistorius were keen to highlight the Continent’s increased efforts after meeting in Paris.

Who might make up Trumpโ€™s Cabinet

Donald Trump didnโ€™t engage in formal conversations about a potential Cabinet in the run-up to his election. But that didnโ€™t stop him from spitballing potential contenders during his frequent plane rides to campaign events, or when he is impressed by one of his allies on television. โ€œHe would be great at this,โ€ or โ€œShe would [โ€ฆ]

Mark Rutte: North Korean troops in Europe marks turning point

What we need is the political commitment to stay the course for the long haul.

North Koreans fighting for Putin threatens world order, Rutte says

NATO boss warned Pyongyang’s involvement in Ukraine war could mark start of a “far darker” phase of conflict.ย 

Peak America: No matter who wins Tuesday, Europe has already lost

U.S. interest in the continent has been in decline since the end of the Cold War.

UK and Germany: Europe must take responsibility for its own security

Comments from top defense ministers come as U.K. and Germany sign new pact โ€” with one eye on a Trump win.

Who could be in Trumpโ€™s next Cabinet? Here are leading contenders.

Former President Donald Trump, who is in the throes of a tight campaign, has not engaged in formal conversations about a potential Cabinet. But that hasnโ€™t stopped him from spitballing potential contenders during his frequent plane rides to campaign events, or when he is impressed by one of his allies on television. โ€œHe would be [โ€ฆ]

Who could be in Kamala Harrisโ€™ Cabinet? Here are the leading contenders.

If Kamala Harris wins the election, she will likely approach the task of filling out her Cabinet and West Wing much like she did when she took over Joe Bidenโ€™s campaign operation this summer. While sheโ€™ll ensure her closest advisers and key Cabinet members are people she personally trusts, there will be some continuity with [โ€ฆ]

CRINK: Itโ€™s the new โ€˜Axis of Evilโ€™

The alliance among China, Russia, Iran and North Korea is forcing NATO to tighten links with Indo-Pacific countries.

NATO pledges money โ€” not membership โ€” as Zelenskyy brings victory plan to Brussels

Secretary-General Mark Rutte isn’t giving a clear answer to Kyiv’s demand for a speedy invitation to join the alliance.

How the Israel-Hamas war sidelined other world hot spots

Every administration has to readjust to respond to world events, but the Israel-Hamas conflict has been particularly disruptive to Bidenโ€™s other foreign policy efforts.

US Republicans fear UK Chagos Islands deal will boost China

Britain insisted its U.S. allies were fully behind the move to hand control of the islands โ€“ home to a secretive military base โ€” to Mauritius.

Russia and Chinaโ€™s cooperation in the Arctic is a rising nuclear threat

While Beijing and Moscow have been working to establish a strategic foothold in the region for more than a decade, Washington and Brussels are just now waking up to the danger.

US defense secretary orders forces to be ready to deploy as Middle East heats up

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln will remain in the region after Israel kills Hezbollah leader.

EU betting on India and Vietnam for chips

Looking to be less dependent on China and Taiwan, the West is keen to have alternative suppliers and are pushing at an open door with New Delhi and Hanoi.

Hold China responsible for helping Russia, Danish PM says

Moscow could not sustain a full-scale invasion of Ukraine for this long “without help from China,” Mette Frederiksen says.

Meet the worldโ€™s toughest trade negotiator. Itโ€™s not Donald Trump.

Piyush Goyalโ€™s showmanship and negotiating savvy have made him a weapon for India as it takes up its mantle as a global superpower. But is his aggressive approach at risk of backfiring?

Bidenโ€™s foreign policy goals slip as clock ticks

Bidenโ€™s top foreign policy priority right now is a Gaza cease-fire deal. Thatโ€™s not looking likely.

US builds up naval, troop presence near Alaska amid Russian activity

The actions follow a series of Russian air operations that skirted Alaskan airspace and as Russian and Chinese warships conducted joint exercises across the Pacific.

Putin threatens war as Western allies near deal on missile strikes in Russia

White House summit on Friday could grant Ukraine new powers to strike Russia’s military bases.

Refreshing Europeโ€™s Indo-Pacific strategy, an opportunity to solidify EU standing [Advocacy Lab Content]

The European Union intends to counter the trend of โ€œmight makes rightโ€ in relation to the Indo-Pacific, but experts argue the bloc needs to refresh its strategy and address internal divisions when it comes to the region, say observers.

How Europe should react to the US presidential elections

Regardless of the raceโ€™s outcome, the blocโ€™s interests donโ€™t fully align with those of Washington, and itโ€™s time to finally recognize this.

Strengthening Indiaโ€™s European ties, Indian Ambassador to EU calls for more engagement [Advocacy Lab Content]

India is seeking more engagement with the European Union just as the EU increases its presence in the Indo-Pacific. But Indiaโ€™s pursuit of harmony sits against a complex background involving China and Russia.

The White House wants you to know: Harris was in the room

Critics say the Biden administration is making up for lost time after not doing more to promote Harris over the last three years.

Germanyโ€™s slow-motion move away from China

Germany is starting to distance itself from China, but the auto industry isnโ€™t so keen.

France needs to be wary of Chinaโ€™s influence in New Caledonia, report says

Island territory’s transition to greater autonomy “must include discussions” on defense against external threats, a scholar says.

What would a Harris administrationย foreign policyย look like? These diplomats want to know.

Theyโ€™re still watching to see how a Harris White House could put its own spin on multilateral partnerships.

China threat prompts Japan to rethink its security

Tokyo now stands determined to be recognized as an important part of the transatlantic and European security architecture.

US Navyโ€™s newest air-to-air missile could tilt balance in South China Sea

The US Navy’s deployment of new extremely long-range air-to-air missiles in the Indo-Pacific could erase China’s advantage in aerial reach, experts say, part of an intensifying focus on projecting power amid high tensions in the region.

What Britainโ€™s top diplomats really think of Donald Trump

New UK foreign ministers were heavily critical of the ‘racist’ former US president before landing plum government jobs.

Cost rising for US as it fights off Houthi drones

U.S. forces have launched roughly 800 missiles and seven rounds of air strikes against the Iran-backed Houthi rebels that have controlled Yemen since November.

In the hydrogen battlefield, Europe tries to stay ahead of China

Terrified Beijing may come to dominate yet another clean tech market, the EU aims to impose regulations โ€” and is looking to Japan for help.

Japan wants Indo-Pacific reassurance from Britainโ€™s new Labour government

As Labour refocuses on Europe and America, doubts linger in Japan about whether it can rely on London.

US revamps Japan command amid Chinaโ€™s threats

Washington’s pledge to shore up its top Indo-Pacific ally will endure “irrespective of” the American election result, Antony Blinken says in Tokyo.

US sees new Chinese, Russian military cooperation on eve of visit to region

An unprecedented exercise by Chinese and Russian bombers forced the U.S. and Canada to scramble fighter planes along the Alaskan coast.

Here are the world leaders Kamala Harris has on speed dial

Vice President Kamala Harris would enter the White House with working ties with some allied heads of state โ€” others sheโ€™d have to build.

Von der Leyen vows to stop China from invading Taiwan

The US warned of Beijing’s readiness to invade by 2027, which would be during the five-year mandate the Commission president is seeking.

Japan and Germany agree to boost security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region

Both sides said their countries would create an economic security framework amid fears about what they view as China’s overproduction of electric vehicles and other key products using massive subsidies.

What the China-Russia alliance means for the West

Putinโ€™s recent visit to Beijing is one more sign of an evolving new Cold War.

Philippines and Japan sign defence pact, with eyes on China

The Philippines and Japan have signed a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) allowing them to deploy their forces on each other’s soil, a milestone in their security relations amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, an official said on Monday (8 July).

American allies fear Biden is finished and canโ€™t beat Trump

โ€œWeโ€™re not sure that, even if he wins, he can survive four years more,โ€ said one official from a European NATO country.

The end of the Brexit dream

The Britain envisaged by the countryโ€™s Euroskeptic politicians looks further away than ever.

Trumpโ€™s plan for NATO is emerging

Trump advisers envision a โ€˜radical reorientationโ€™ in which Washington takes a back seat to Europe โ€” and cuts a deal with Putin over Ukraine.

French election: Le Pen threatens to clip Macronโ€™s wings on Ukraine and defense

Military and foreign policy have long been seen as the “reserved domain” of the president โ€” but the far right is challenging that assumption.

Former Poland PM: Europeโ€™s impossible trinity

EU decision-makers want to secure all their objectives, everywhere, and do it all at once. However, their plans donโ€™t reflect real-world realities.

Deforestation law risks pushing Indonesia toward China

However well-intended, the EU’s directive has particularly rattled producers in the Indo-Pacific region.

Biden and Macron stress a shared vision on Ukraine and Gaza even amid bubbling disagreements

The two leaders met on Saturday as questions persist over the future of Ukraine funding and a peace proposal for Gaza.

US warns Europe to get serious about Chinaโ€™s aid to Russia

Beijing’s leadership is determined to back Moscow “to the hilt,” says State Department No. 2 Kurt Campbell.

France, Japan to start talks on reciprocal troops pact

France and Japan agreed on Thursday (2 May) to start formal talks on a reciprocal troop access deal, strengthening military cooperation in amid rising maritime tensions in the Indo-Pacific region and the war in Ukraine.

How Zelenskyy gave US House speaker a deadline for military aid

A December meeting influenced Mike Johnsonโ€™s decision to approve military aid for Kyiv.

Focus harder to rival Chinaโ€™s vast global investment plan, Brussels is toldย 

EUโ€™s Global Gateway funding has been spread โ€˜too thinlyโ€™ and must be concentrated if itโ€™s to stand a chance against Beijing, internal review says.ย 

What, if anything, does Europe have to offer Trump?

Trump will likely want to divest himself of, as he sees it, the irritation that is Ukraine. Europe should be rushing to come up with a convincing answer as to why it shouldnโ€™t.

US House approves bill to divest TikTok, freeze Russian assets

The legislation is meant to act as a sweetener for Republicans to consider foreign aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

US House advances $95 billion Ukraine-Israel package toward Saturday vote

The US House of Representatives advanced a $95 billion legislative package on Friday (19 April) providing aid to Ukraine, Israel and the Indo-Pacific in a broad bipartisan vote, overcoming hardline Republican opposition that had held it up for months.

CIA director: Ukraine could lose by end of 2024

The stark warning from a top administration official comes as Kyiv worries about Russiaโ€™s looming summer offensive.

Trump and Polandโ€™s Duda discuss ongoing wars during NYC meeting

The pair dined together for more than two hours.

Ukraine war briefing: attacks on nuclear plant are Russian โ€˜false flagโ€™, Kyiv tells UN security council

Zaporizhzhia โ€˜getting dangerously close to a nuclear accidentโ€™ says IAEA chief, as Russians and Ukrainians trade accusations. What we know on day 783See all our Ukraine war coverageUkraineโ€™s UN ambassador, Sergiy Kyslytsya, has accused Russia of a โ€œa w…

Israel and Ukraine dominate Bidenโ€™s life. China gets its moment this week.

The irony of Bidenโ€™s meetings this week is he gets to show how much Asia work his team has done while highlighting their relative lack of China focus.

US, Japan, Philippines plan joint South China Sea naval patrols

The collective show of maritime force against China will be a centerpiece of next monthโ€™s trilateral summit in Washington.

5 times Britainโ€™s David Cameron bigged up China

Britain’s top diplomat is a frequent target of the Conservative Party’s China hawks.

Britain and US race to expand Pacific defense pact before election turmoil

Japan and Canada could join AUKUS before the end of 2024.

Romaniaโ€™s president launches bid for NATO top job against Mark Rutte

Klaus Iohannis vows to ensure Ukraine โ€œprevails in its existential battleโ€ against Russia if he leads the alliance.

Romanian president: A vision for NATOโ€™s future

Klaus Iohannis formally announces his bid to be the next NATO secretary-general, and reveals his plan for the military alliance.

We must say no to Chinaโ€™s salami-slice style of unilateral change to Taiwanโ€™s โ€˜status quoโ€™

In Europe and around the world, opposition to China’s unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait has become a general consensus. It is a critical element in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific and beyond, writes Roy Lee.

EUโ€™s pretending to be an honest trade cop

The bloc is overregulating โ€” and itโ€™s overreaching.

Senators unveil long-awaited border deal

It faces an uncertain vote in the Senate this week and even longer odds in the House.

30 Things Joe Biden Did as President You Might Have Missed

Drone armies, expanded overtime pay and over-the-counter birth control pills are just some of the new things Biden has ushered in as president that you might not have heard about.

EUโ€™s courtship of Indo-Pacific gets cold shoulder from big powers

Brussels struggles to get the A list to its big meeting, while developing countries flag EU’s double standards between confronting Russia and Israel.

NATO chief: Iโ€™m not worried that Trump will pull out of the alliance

Jens Stoltenberg is meeting with Republicans in Washington to drum up support for Ukraine funding.

Staff exodus signals end to Bidenโ€™s trade dreams

The realization that little real progress is likely to be made in an election year where former President Donald Trump will put a glaring spotlight on trade has convinced some officials itโ€™s time to move on.

Taiwan presidential hopeful eyes closer ties with Europe

It’s important for EU to tell China not to invade Taiwan, William Lai says.

Biden quietly shelves trade pact with UK before 2024 elections

Britain has long coveted a US trade agreement as a significant post-Brexit prize.

Pentagon: US arms industry struggling to keep up with China

A draft copy of the new National Defense Industrial Strategy says American companies canโ€™t build weapons fast enough to meet global demand.

UKโ€™s flagship post-Brexit trade deal worth even less than previously thought, OBR says

Office for Budget Responsibility says UK entry into the Indo-Pacific agreement will add just 0.04% to GDP in the long runThe UKโ€™s flagship transatlantic trade deal, which was presented as a cornerstone of post-Brexit โ€œglobal Britainโ€, will deliver even…

European lawmakers give green light to โ€˜modelโ€™ NZ trade deal

The agreement is meant to be Brussels’ gold standard for sustainability requirements in trade deals.

โ€˜Heโ€™s a dictatorโ€™: Biden claims progress in Xi meeting, but deep fault lines remain

High-stakes summit between the two leaders comes a year after their last face-to-face meeting.

Meet David Cameronโ€™s Indo-Pacific fixer: An ex-MEP known for championing Beijing

The new UK foreign secretary has been pictured with Nirj Deva in London, Sri Lanka and the UAE.

Australia pushes for EU deal at upcoming trade meeting

Hopes rise that Brussels and Canberra can close the gap on the sidelines of gathering of G7 trade ministers in Japan.

Has Australia solved the China puzzle?ย ย 

Twin visits by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to Washington and Beijing underscore Canberraโ€™s delicate geopolitical tightrope walk.

The smiling face of Chinese interests in the Indo-Pacific: David Cameron

Former British PM promotes controversial Colombo Port City project at investment conference in the Middle East.

Hungaryโ€™s deadlock on Ukraine defense cash

SNEAK PEEK โ€” EU leaders could approve a further โ‚ฌ500 million payment to cover military aid to Ukraine at their summit on October 26 and 27. โ€” A small group of U.S. senators want Defense Secretary Loyd Austin to dispatch unused Iron Dome batteries to Israel. โ€” France is including Germany and Spain in its [โ€ฆ]

Rishi Sunak slows Mexico and Canada trade talks as he eyes pre-election UK/US pact

UK firms’ access to Canadian and Mexican markets is set to expire in the coming months โ€” and British negotiators were already stretched.

Chinese hackers nab 60,000 emails in US State Department breach

Among the most sensitive information stolen, a staffer said, were victimsโ€™ travel itineraries and diplomatic deliberations.

If Canada is to be believed, India has gone rogue

As the long rope given Modi may just snap under the strain of recent accusations.