Senior Japanese politician Shigeru Ishiba recently toured Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) ships, seemingly to showcase Japan’s advanced shipbuilding capabilities. This move comes as Japan dangles its shipbuilding expertise as leverage in ongoing tariff talks with the U.S., suggesting that collaboration in this sector could sweeten the deal for both sides.

Editor’s Note: Japan’s shipbuilding industry isn’t just about constructing vessels—it’s a strategic asset in high-stakes trade discussions. By flaunting its tech and expertise, Japan is signaling it has something valuable to offer the U.S., potentially easing tensions over tariffs. For readers, it’s a reminder that behind dry trade talks, there’s real-world industrial muscle at play.

Japan is pushing its strengths in shipbuilding and liquefied natural gas (LNG) investments as it negotiates with the U.S. over tariffs. The stakes are high—these tariffs could tip Japan’s economy into a technical recession just before a crucial election.

Editor’s Note: Trade tensions aren’t just about numbers—they can shape elections and economic stability. If Japan can’t resolve these tariff talks soon, it could hurt growth at a politically sensitive time. For readers, it’s a reminder of how global trade fights ripple into everyday economies.

Southeast Asian leaders are gathering in Malaysia for the ASEAN summit, where they’ll tackle some thorny issues—like frustration over global trade tensions (especially U.S. tariffs) and how to present a united front on Myanmar’s ongoing civil war. They’ll also try to make progress on a long-delayed code of conduct for the South China Sea, a hotspot for regional disputes.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another diplomatic meet-and-greet. With trade headaches, Myanmar’s chaos, and China’s maritime ambitions all on the table, the summit highlights how ASEAN is stuck between global powers and internal divisions. What they decide—or fail to decide—could ripple across supply chains, conflicts, and even U.S.-China rivalry.

The EU's president, Ursula von der Leyen, managed to temporarily dodge a trade bullet after a phone call with Donald Trump. The U.S. had been threatening to slap 50% tariffs on European goods, but Trump agreed to delay them until July 9, calling the conversation "very nice." Both sides now have a bit more breathing room to negotiate a deal.

Editor’s Note: Trade tensions between the U.S. and EU are nothing new, but this delay buys time to avoid an immediate economic headache. If those tariffs had kicked in, prices on everything from cars to cheese could’ve spiked—so this pause is a small win for businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. Still, it’s just a reprieve, not a resolution. The real test comes in July.

President Trump has pushed back his deadline for imposing steep 50% tariffs on EU goods from June 1 to July, buying more time for trade negotiations. The move comes after he publicly criticized the EU as a difficult trade partner, signaling ongoing tensions but also a willingness to keep talking—for now.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t a resolution—it’s a temporary pause in a high-stakes trade standoff. The delay suggests neither side wants an all-out tariff war (yet), but the underlying friction hasn’t gone away. For businesses and consumers, it means a few more weeks of uncertainty over whether prices on European goods could suddenly spike.

President Trump has decided to hold off on slapping a hefty 50% tariff on EU goods until mid-2025, giving both sides more time to negotiate. The delay came after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised to come to the table for serious talks. Trump framed the move as a goodwill gesture, calling it a "privilege" to delay the tariffs in hopes of reaching a deal.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about tariffs—it’s a high-stakes game of chicken between the U.S. and EU. By hitting pause, Trump is signaling he’s open to negotiation (for now), but the threat still looms if talks fall apart. For businesses and consumers on both sides, this buys some breathing room, but the long-term uncertainty keeps markets and supply chains on edge.

The EU's top official, Ursula von der Leyen, says trade talks with the U.S. are moving forward after a "good" phone call with Donald Trump—just days after he threatened to slap massive 50% tariffs on European cars. The EU now has until July 9 to hash out a deal and avoid a potential trade war.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just bureaucratic back-and-forth—it’s a high-stakes game of economic chicken. If talks fail, those tariffs could jack up prices on European cars in the U.S. and spark retaliation, hurting businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. The July 9 deadline adds real pressure to get this done.

President Trump has pushed back the deadline for imposing steep 50% tariffs on EU goods from June 1 to July 9. The move comes after the U.S. accused the EU of dragging its feet in trade negotiations. This extension gives both sides a little more breathing room—but the threat of higher tariffs still looms if talks don’t progress.

Editor’s Note: Tariffs are taxes on imports, and hiking them to 50% would make European products way more expensive for American consumers and businesses. While the delay avoids immediate economic pain, it keeps uncertainty alive for industries caught in the middle. If talks stall, this could escalate into a full-blown trade war—bad news for everyone from carmakers to farmers.

President Trump has announced a temporary reprieve on his threat to slap 50% tariffs on EU goods, pushing the deadline to July. The delay gives both sides more time to hammer out a trade deal—avoiding, for now, what could have been a costly economic showdown.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t a cancellation, just a timeout. The move suggests negotiations are still alive, but the threat of tariffs still looms over businesses and consumers on both sides of the Atlantic. If talks stall, we could be right back where we started—with higher prices and trade tensions flaring up again.