Global tensions rise as Trump hikes Canadian tariffs, Iran rejects talks, and US economy falters, while Ukraine agrees to ceasefire and China expands in Cambodia.

Good Morning,

In a series of international developments, tensions between the United States and other countries are escalating. President Trump has announced a significant increase in tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum to 50% in response to issues related to Ontario's electricity policies, further intensifying the trade war. Meanwhile, a Chinese defense company is expanding its influence by constructing an industrial estate in Cambodia. In the Middle East, Iran's President has firmly rejected any negotiations with Trump, telling him to proceed as he wishes. Domestically, the US economy has taken a sharp downturn, shifting from a booming state to fears of a recession within just 20 days. In Eastern Europe, a positive note emerges as Ukraine has agreed to a 30-day ceasefire, as confirmed in a joint statement with the US.

Top Stories

• Trump Escalates Trade War in Response to Ontario Electricity, Says He’s Increasing Tariffs On Canadian Steel, Aluminum to 50% (www.bloomberg.com)

• Chinese defense company builds industrial estate in Cambodia (www.rfa.org)

• Iran's President to Trump: I will not negotiate, 'do whatever the hell you want' (www.reuters.com)

• How the US economy went from booming to a recession scare in only 20 days (www.cnn.com)

• Ukraine agrees to accept immediate, 30-day ceasefire -US-Ukraine statement (www.reuters.com)

United States

• Judge Orders DOGE to Release Records, Citing Its 'Unusual Secrecy' (www.businessinsider.com)

• How the US economy went from booming to a recession scare in only 20 days (www.cnn.com)

• Columbia Student’s Deportation Arrest Should Scare All Americans (www.bloomberg.com)

• Trump's efforts to help Tesla could hurt it instead (apnews.com)

• USDA cancels $1B in local food purchasing for schools, food banks (www.politico.com)

• Trump calls Tesla boycott ‘illegal’ and says he’s buying one to support Musk | Donald Trump (www.theguardian.com)

Africa

• 12 dead, dozens hurt as bus overturns, passengers thrown on highway in South Africa (abcnews.com)

• Nigerian authorities confirm meningitis outbreak in northwest has killed 26 people since January (apnews.com)

• A militant attack on a Somalia hotel leaves an unknown number dead (apnews.com)

Middle East

• Landmark SDF deal hailed as positive step for Syria and Kurds (www.middleeasteye.net)

• Syria’s Kurds win big as Sharaa shakes hands with Kobane to save his own skin (www.al-monitor.com)

• Israel, Lebanon to launch US-mediated talks to solve border disputes 'as soon as possible' (jpost.com)

Indo-Pacific

• Before Lalit Modi, Vanuatu rejected Nirav Modi’s citizenship request: Why, what are its rules (indianexpress.com)

• Princeton nuclear physicist Liu Chang leaves US for China in fusion energy quest (www.scmp.com)

• Trump’s Call to Scrap ‘Horrible’ Chip Program Spreads Panic (www.nytimes.com)

• China’s AI boom is reaching astonishing proportions (www.economist.com)

• Chinese cars are taking over the global south (www.economist.com)

• Hong Kong’s Elite Expat Schools Pivot to Rich Chinese Arrivals (www.bloomberg.com)

• Oto, Japan’s oldest lion, dies at 25 — equivalent to 100 human years (www.japantimes.co.jp)

Europe

• Ursula von der Leyen says €150bn EU defence loans should be spent in Europe (www.ft.com)

• Germany Is Rethinking Everything Nuclear (foreignpolicy.com)

• EU-US rift triggers call for made-in-Europe tech (www.politico.eu)

• Portugal’s Government Collapses After Losing Parliamentary Vote (www.bloomberg.com)

• Germany to reach out to France and UK over sharing of nuclear weapons (www.theguardian.com)

• Ukraine agrees to accept immediate, 30-day ceasefire -US-Ukraine statement (www.reuters.com)

• Stocks steady in Europe after US markets plunge (www.bbc.com)

Latin America

• Authorities suspend the airline involved in last year's crash that killed 62 (abcnews.com)

• US bans flights to Haiti's capital until Sept., UN expert says gang violence is more dire (fox4now.com)

• Guatemala’s Volcano of Fire erupts and forces evacuations (apnews.com)

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