US and Taiwan Finalize Trade Deal, While Global Tensions Rise
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - In a move aimed at bolstering economic ties, the United States and Taiwan finalized a trade deal on Thursday, reducing tariffs on Taiwanese exports and paving the way for billions of dollars in US goods purchases, according to Al Jazeera. Simultaneously, global tensions remain high as Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities, as reported by Al Jazeera. Furthermore, a senior US official urged European allies to take a more prominent role in their own defense, as highlighted by Sky News.
The trade agreement, announced on Thursday, lowers the general tariff on Taiwanese goods from 20 percent to 15 percent, matching the rates of other Asian trade partners like South Korea and Japan. In exchange, Taiwan will purchase approximately $85 billion worth of US energy, aircraft, and equipment, Al Jazeera reported.
Meanwhile, the Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to escalate. Russian forces launched 219 drones and 24 ballistic missiles on Thursday night, causing casualties and damage, Al Jazeera reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy indicated that Moscow was hesitant about further talks facilitated by the United States.
In Brussels, NATO defense ministers convened for a meeting, with a notable absence. Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of War, skipped the gathering, which one ally described as "missing a good party," according to Sky News. Germany's defense minister emphasized the need for Europeans to assume a greater role in their own defense, Sky News reported.
Elbridge Colby, the US Under Secretary of War, told members to get ready for the threat of simultaneous strikes in different parts of the globe, but said the US is not leaving the alliance to fend for itself, as reported by Sky News.
In other news, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is reportedly preparing to name his daughter as his successor, according to a spy agency, as reported by Sky News. The announcement could come at a party congress later this month.
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