News Updates

NORTH AMERICA:
REGIONAL PROTECTIONISM

How to Update the USMCA

MEXICO’S HARMONIZED TARIFF POLICY FRAMED AS NORTH AMERICAN ‘ECONOMIC ALIGNMENT’

The National Interest, September 29, 2025 – Mexico is signaling a willingness to deepen integration with the United States and anchor its economy within North America’s supply chains. This is welcome news for Washington. While some might view this decision as mere protectionism, the leaders of Mexico and the United States are framing it as an economic alignment….The Mexican government has proposed a comprehensive package of higher import levies—covering over 1,400 tariff lines, including apparel, textiles, and footwear—from countries with which Mexico does not have a free-trade agreement. The People’s Republic of China, here, is the main target. Key moves include raising the tariff on passenger vehicles and many auto parts from approximately 20 to 50 percent (the WTO ceiling), as well as new and raised duties of roughly 10–50 percent across other products and categories….Increased transparency and harmonized standards across borders are the minimum requirements that should be met for the next chapter of the USMCA. 

See also: BESSENT: ‘IF THE CANADIANS DID IT ALSO…WE COULD HAVE FORTRESS NORTH AMERICA’  FROM CHINESE IMPORTS – Reuters, Feb 28, 2025

Mexico Joins US Effort to Build Tariff Wall Against China

Mexico Business News, Oct 2, 2025 – On Sept. 9, as part of the 2026 federal budget proposal, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum submitted a budget proposal that would impose additional tariffs (ranging from 10% to 50%) on over 1,400 HTS codes affecting products in the automotive, steel, textiles/apparel, shoes/footwear, electronics, plastics, toys, and home appliances industries, targeting imports from countries that don’t have a Trade Agreement with Mexico.
Many say the main target is China (which will be affected the most) as the United States has been pressuring Mexico to present a united front against China. This is taking place amid the preparation for the review of the North American Trade Agreement….

From tariffs to transformation: Why this is the moment for ASEAN to forge strategic autonomy

ASEAN’S CROSSROADS: REMAIN A LOOSE ASSOCIATION OR TRANSFORM INTO INTEGRATED BLOC

‘ASEAN’S EFFORTS CAN SET A PRECEDENT FOR HOW OTHER REGIONAL BLOCS PRESERVE AUTONOMY IN A MULTIPOLAR ERA.’
World Economic Forum, Sep 29, 2025 – The US tariffs announced on 2 April were effective precisely because they exploited ASEAN’s structural weaknesses. Unlike the European Union’s supranational authority, ASEAN operates on consensus and non-interference, principles that slow decision-making and prioritize national over regional interests….The tariff crisis has revealed both ASEAN’s vulnerabilities and its possibilities. Under Malaysia’s chairmanship, ASEAN stands at a crossroads: Remain a loose association vulnerable to external shocks, or transform into an integrated bloc capable of shaping its own destiny….The lesson extends beyond South-East Asia. Regional blocs from the African Union to Mercosur face similar dilemmas. By embedding digital trade frameworks, interoperable financial systems and collective mechanisms, ASEAN can set a precedent for how regions preserve autonomy in a multipolar era…. Its ability to turn crisis into catalyst will determine whether this moment becomes a turning point – not just for South-East Asia, but for regional cooperation worldwide.

Africa must strengthen continental unity to boost its global influence

‘STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT’:  ‘HARMONIZE TARIFFS, STREAMLINE CUSTOMER PROCEDURES AND INVEST IN CROSS-BORDER INFRASTRUCTURE’

Chatham House, Sep 30, 2025 – The 2023 accession of the AU to permanent membership of the G20 was a crucial breakthrough. Africa, at long last, is represented as a bloc in the premier forum for economic cooperation, alongside the European Union (EU). This moment reflects a growing consensus that the continent can no longer be sidelined. It also coincides with more African nationals taking up leadership positions in key global institutions, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and World Health Organization (WHO).
African states often negotiate as individual actors rather than as a bloc within international organizations such as the WTO and the UN system – limiting the ability to mobilize Africa’s collective weight on key issues. Without a shared understanding that local and regional actions should reinforce, rather than fragment, collective positions, Africa risks weakening its own leverage….
Trade is a clear example: the AfCFTA can only succeed if governments harmonize tariffs, streamline customs procedures and invest in cross-border infrastructure. In defence, national investments in military capacity should be aligned with continental frameworks such as the African Standby Force

Opinion: How Trump’s trade war fast-tracked the EU–Mercosur agreement

Brussels Times, Sep 23, 2025 – Game Theory suggests that when one player (the US) systematically adopts an aggressive strategy, the others (EU and Brazil) may converge towards cooperation with each other in order to counterbalance the power of the challenger. Robert Axelrod, in The Evolution of Cooperation (1984), shows that cooperation among those harmed, in repeated interaction scenarios, tends to emerge as a rational strategy, where the gains from cooperation are greater than the costs of isolation.
It is precisely at this point that the EU (responsible for the common trade policy of its 27 member states) and Mercosur (responsible for the trade policy of its signatories, with Brazil accounting for over 70% of the bloc’s economy) need to accelerate the ratification and implementation of the EU–Mercosur Agreement signed in December 2024.

Is the Middle East about to get an ‘Islamic NATO’?

Deutsche Welle, Sep 25, 2025 – Israel’s first-ever attack on a Gulf state is causing changes in Arab defense policies, with more calls for regional cooperation and common defense pacts. Some politicians have even called for an “Islamic NATO.”….
At an emergency summit organized by the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation last week, Egyptian officials suggested a NATO-style, joint task force for Arab nations. In a speech at the summit, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also called for a collective approach to regional security. And the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, or GCC — Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — said they would activate a provision in a joint defense agreement, first signed in 2000, that said an attack on one member state was an attack on all.

HOW A NEW ARAB REGIONAL ORDER IS TAKING SHAPE

The National Interest, Sep 25, 2025 – The Assad regime was also a feature of the landscape in the region for 50 years. Now, like Saddam Hussein, Muammar Gaddafi, and other twentieth-century dictatorial holdovers, it has collapsed for good.
These winds of change have not only empowered Syria. They have also empowered the new leadership in Lebanon. Additionally, Egypt has conducted new outreach efforts. It has completed a naval drill with Turkey, marking a significant step in repairing two decades of strained relations. It is also pushing for peace in Gaza. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has signed a new defense treaty with Pakistan.
A similar trend can be observed in the Gulf Cooperation Council. After an Israeli airstrike on a Hamas meeting in Qatar in September, the Gulf countries expressed a desire to increase defense cooperation.

ASEAN deepens internal, external ties to weather US tariff headwinds

Nikkei Asia, Sep 26, 2025 – South Asian countries are deepening their internal and external economic ties as the region braces for the impact of U.S. tariffs and global supply chain realignments, with ministers advancing key trade agreements and digital initiatives during a series of meetings in Malaysia this week.

United States to seal Southeast Asia trade trade deals in coming months

BLOC’S MEMBER NATIONS MAY TAKE UNIFIED POSITION ON SECTORAL TARIFF NEGOTIATIONS
Reuters, Sep 24, 2025 – Wednesday marked [U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer’s] first meeting with the ASEAN bloc, whose members have largely engaged in separate negotiations with the United States on the issue of tariffs.
But the grouping may be driven to take a more unified position amid risks of steeper sectoral tariffs on industries such as semiconductors, a significant contributor to economies like Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

EAEU, Iran agree to use Iranian ports to access other markets

Interfax, Sep 25, 2025 – Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries will be able to use Iranian ports to enter the Indian Ocean and ship goods to third countries, including India.

IRAN, EURASIAN ECOOMIC UNION SIGN ROADMAP FOR FUTURE COOPERATION

Islamic Republic News Agency, Sep 24, 2025 – The document was signed by Industry, Mine and Trade Minister Mohammad Atabak and EAEU Trade Minister Andrey Slepnev on Wednesday.
“At today’s talks, we outlined the general framework for future trade and economic cooperation between Iran and the five member states of the Eurasian Economic Union within the roadmap,” Atabak told reporters. He said the session also reviewed past cooperation and future prospects, with 16 subcommittees presenting their reports.

Vietnam PM targets Mercosur, GCC pacts to counter US duties

MalayMail, Sep 24, 2025 – Exports “will face difficulties and challenges… due to strategic competition, conflicts and the US’s ‘reciprocal’ tariff policies,” Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said in a statement posted on the government’s website today….
To offset the impact of the US duties, Vietnam aims to sign free trade agreements with Latin America’s Mercosur trading bloc and Gulf Cooperation Council countries by the end of the year, Chinh said.

ASEAN to boost stagnant intra-regional trade

The Sun (Malaysia), Sep 23, 2025 – ASEAN will intensify efforts to deepen regional economic integration and revive intra-regional trade.
According to reports, intra-ASEAN trade currently makes up just 21.2 per cent of the region’s total trade in 2024.
This figure falls far behind other blocs such as the European Union, which has an intra-trade level of 60 per cent.

Experts: RCEP is ASEAN’s lifeline

EXPAND BOTH INTRA-ASEAN, INTER-REGIONAL TRADE BETWEEN REGION, RCEP, GCC, EU

Viet Nam News, Sep 22, 2025 – Economist Dr Yeah Kim Leng of Sunway University pointed out that pursuit of unilateral import tariffs and the US-centric ­economic agenda by the Donald Trump administration would mean that it is crucial for all other countries to step up trade and economic co-operation….
Malaysia’s current leadership role in Asean offers not only the opportunity to expand trade and investment among member ­countries, but also to integrate Asean with other free trade ­agreements where Malaysia is a member….
“During the current Asean ­ministerial meetings, Malaysia is ­strategically positioned to stimulate interest and expand both intra-Asean and inter-regional cooperation between the region and RCEP, GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) and the EU,” he said.

AS US TARIFFS SPLIT ASEAN, CAN BLOC STILL MUSTER UNIFIED RESPONSE?

South China Morning Post, Sep 22 2025 – Washington’s preference for bilateral negotiations showed that it had little appetite for an Asean-wide deal, Malaysia-based economist Doris Liew said, adding that the regional bloc itself had struggled to agree to a common position due to its diverse levels of development and conflicting national interests.
“Any effort to negotiate collectively would take years, and the US president is unlikely to wait that long,” Liew told This Week in Asia….
“I think by now, the new trade reality has gradually settled in the minds and actions of most Asean countries and businesses,” said Oh Ei Sun, principal adviser at the Pacific Research Centre.
“Washington is simply not interested in dealing with Asean en bloc.”EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION:

Gulf states to form ‘regional shield’ against threats

EXPAND INTEL SHARING THROUGH UNIFIED MILITARY COMMAND

Dawn (Pakistan), Sep 20, 2025 – Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries have pledged sweeping steps to bolster collective defence, including plans to increase intelligence sharing, develop new missile warning systems, and hold joint defence drills, after Israel launched a deadly strike on Doha earlier this month….
The GCC — a political and economic alliance of six Middle Eastern nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates — has agreed to expand intelligence sharing through Unified Military Command.

Iran, India, and the Trump Sanction Trap

IRAN PORT MAY BECOME LYNCHPIN IN INDIA’S EURASIAN INTEGRATION

Sri Lanka Guardian, Sep 22, 2025 – Delhi has dealing with the Taliban and, more importantly, has jettisoned the pro-US tilt in its Afghan policy, and rebooted its coordination with Tehran and Moscow at a juncture when Iran-Russia ties have assumed an unprecedented strategic connotation; and it is entirely conceivable that Chabahar may become a lynchpin in India’s Eurasian integration.

Central Asia Deepens Trade Links with India Amid Growing Economic Ties

Times of Central Asia, Sep 18, 2025 – Kyrgyzstan’s trade with India is relatively small, at about $50 million, but the relationship is significant in the context of regional institutions like the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). The two nations also cooperate in education and tourism, with thousands of Indian students studying medicine in Kyrgyz universities. These people-to-people connections are seen as a foundation for stronger economic engagement in the future.
The trajectory of India-Central Asia trade is clear: while current figures remain modest compared to India’s dealings with other global partners, they are trending upwards. Both sides see opportunities in energy, infrastructure, and digital technology. Yet the success of this partnership will depend on how effectively they address logistical challenges, and diversify beyond traditional trade items.
For Central Asia, closer ties with India offer a chance to balance relationships with traditional partners such as Russia and China, while tapping into India’s massive consumer market.

SOUTH AMERICA – MERCOSUR:

South America’s Mercosur bloc signs trade deal with 4 European countries

U.S. TARIFFS PROMPT PUSH TO DIVERSIFY TRADING PARTNERS

Pittsburgh Morning Sun, Sep 16, 2025 – South America’s Mercosur bloc signed a free trade deal Tuesday with the European countries of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, as ties between the two continents deepen amid global uncertainty sparked by sweeping U.S. tariffs….
The Mercosur bloc also hopes to soon ratify a much larger free trade deal with the European Union…. Observers say that the EU-Mercosur trade deal increased in importance for Brazil after Trump’s 50% tariff, as it led to an increased push to diversify trading partners.

NORTH AMERICA:

AI Could Transform US-Mexico Border Into “Smart Trade Corridor”

PRESENTS OPPORTUNITY TO STRENGTHEN REGIONAL INTEGRATION

“AS SUPPLY CHAINS ARE RECONFIGURED ACROSS NORTH AMERICA”
Mexico Business News, Sep 12, 2025 – The US-Mexico border is emerging as a logistical and technological innovation hub, where AI can transform data management, speed goods crossing, and strengthen North America’s global competitiveness.
Glenn Hamer, President and CEO, Texas Association of Business,…. said the nearshoring trend presents an opportunity to strengthen regional integration.
“Mexico is now the United States’ No. 1 trading partner. If we use AI wisely, we can ensure that the country remains the world’s leading economic and military power as supply chains are reconfigured across North America,” said Hamer.

NORTH AMERICA – REGIONAL PROTECTIONISM:

Mexico plans 50% tariff on Chinese cars before US, Canada talks

‘SUGGESTS CREATING A COMMON BLOC AGAINST CHINA’

WTO Center, Sep 12, 2025 – Mexico plans to impose tariffs of as much as 50% on cars and other products made by China and several Asian exporters, aligning the country more closely with US protectionism….
“It’s a protectionist measure, very much in Trump’s style, that suggests creating a common bloc against China. It’s to be expected ahead of the review of the USMCA,” said Gabriela Siller, director of economic analysis at Mexican bank Banco Base.
“COMMON EXTERNAL TARIFFS” IS LEVEL TWO OF “THE FIVE LEVELS OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION”

SE ASIA – ASEAN:

PM: Trump to visit Malaysia for ASEAN summit, Putin may join

Caliber (Azerbaijan), Sep 13, 2025 – Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has confirmed that United States President Donald Trump will visit Malaysia next month in conjunction with the 47th ASEAN Summit, which will also be attended by Chinese Premier Li Qiang….
The Prime Minister further disclosed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is also “seriously considering” a visit to Malaysia, following a recent meeting between the two leaders in Beijing.

CONTINENTAL INDEPENDENCE:

‘Battle lines for a new world order based on power‘

EU REGION ASSERTS ITS NEW MERCANTILISM:
‘SO, YES, EUROPE MUST FIGHT’

‘THIS MUST BE EUROPE’S INDEPENDENCE MOMENT’

State of the European Union 2025, by Ursula Von Der Leyen, President of the European Commission, Sep 10, 2025 –
“A new Europe must emerge” @2:01; “The next reunification of Europe” @19:49; AI @32:30; “Made in Europe” @35:10; Diversify trade @52:12, Gov funding for “independent” media @59:33 . Full transcript

EAEU:

TASS: Pakistan to recognize Armenia as UN member to get green light to join Eurasian Economic Union, sources say

News.am (Armenia), Sep 9, 2025 – Pakistan plans to recognize Armenia as a United Nations (UN) member state in order to get a green light to join the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), sources told TASS, the latter reports.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said earlier that Russia welcomed the resumption of communication between Armenia and Pakistan.

ASEAN:

Business leaders push for stronger Asean ties to tap region’s potential

BLOC’S DEEPER ECONOMIC INTEGRATION ‘WOULD BE EXPEDITED BY NECESSITY’

South China Morning Post, Sep 9, 2025 – Business leaders have called for deeper economic integration in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) for the bloc to enjoy seamless trade and travel between member states, and fully tap its potential as a region with a young growing middle class.
[Michael Tene, former deputy secretary general of Asean] argued that economic integration in the bloc would be expedited by necessity. “When necessity arises, we will all pull our act together to ensure that we can all face the challenges.”

CHINA, PAKISTAN, SOUTH ASIA:

China and Pakistan Unveil Joint Action Plan 2025-2029 to Strengthen Strategic Partnership

ProPakistani, Sep 8, 2025 – China and Pakistan have announced a comprehensive Joint Action Plan 2025-2029 to deepen their “All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership” and build a closer China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
Signed during Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s visit to China, the plan outlines a roadmap for collaboration across political, economic, security, and cultural domains, reaffirming the enduring friendship between the two nations….
Both nations emphasized the importance of multilateralism and regional stability, particularly in South Asia. China reiterated its support for a peaceful resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in line with UN resolutions. The two sides pledged to work together on global climate governance, Afghanistan’s stability, and the Middle East peace process.
PAKISTAN AND CHINA JUST MADE A HUGE AVIATION MOVE. HERE’S EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THEIR NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS
TTW, Sep 8, 2025 – The impact of Pakistan and China’s agreement will also extend to the broader South Asian region. With easier air access between Pakistan and China, travelers and businesses from neighboring countries will have enhanced opportunities for regional interaction. This will likely encourage a boost in trade, tourism, and investment between nations in the region….
As new direct flights emerge, this will complement the CPEC project by making trade routes more accessible, facilitating easier exchanges of goods and services, and fostering greater regional integration….
The increase in direct flights will also positively affect neighboring nations, particularly in South Asia. Travelers from countries like India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka will find it easier to engage with Pakistan and China, potentially leading to a rise in regional investments, trade, and tourism. With better connectivity, China and Pakistan will likely attract even greater foreign interest, further enriching their economies and contributing to a more integrated South Asian market.

AFRICAN UNION:

‘King of Kings’: Eswatini king chosen to represent African monarchs at AU

Meeting co-hosted by African Union Human Rights Commission

Times of Eswatini, Sep 6, 2025 – His Majesty the King [Mswati III] has been officially crowned ‘King of Kings’ by a group of African monarchs and traditional leaders.
They are in the country to seek his leadership and representation at the continental level. The meeting is co-hosted by the African Union (AU) Human Rights Commission, recognising the rights of indigenous African leaders to participate in governance.
Over 50 kings, queens and chiefs from across Africa and the diaspora have converged at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha, where they are holding a historic conference aimed at re-establishing the role and voice for the traditional authorities of the continent.
FROM THE ARCHIVES: I’M THE KING OF KINGS: GADDAFI STORMS OUT OF ARAB SUMMIT AND LABELS SAUDI KING ‘A BRITISH PRODUCT’ – Daily Mail (London), March 30, 2009

EUROPEAN UNION’S AI MERCANTILISM:

Europe hopes to join competitive AI race with supercomputer Jupiter

France 24, Sep 5, 2025 – With the launch of supercomputer Jupiter, the biggest artificial intelligence machine in Europe, on Friday, the continent hopes to join the AI training models race after lagging behind the US and China.

GCC’s AI MERCANTILISM:

ReqReadyAI Expands into the Middle East’s GCC Region to Bridge Critical AI Skills Gap

CBS42, Sep 5, 2025 – ReqReadyAI, a people-focused hiring solutions firm leveraging artificial intelligence, today announced its strategic expansion into the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The move targets the massive skills gap emerging from the area’s unprecedented AI investment boom.
The GCC region has become a “hot bed for AI activity,” with governments and corporations pouring historic amounts into artificial intelligence initiatives.

AFRICAN UNION R&D:

African economies urged to invest in research for industrial transformation

Afreximbank, Sep 6, 2025 – The hub is a joint initiative of Afreximbank, the African Union and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat that aims to promote and commercialise African research and innovation. It provides a platform for academics, researchers, and students to contribute their knowledge and expertise toward advancing Intra-African trade and industrialisation….
Studies indicate that if Africa merely doubles its R&D spending to 1% of GDP by 2030, we could unlock an estimated $60–70 billion annually in additional value across agriculture, digital technology, and manufacturing. This would boost productivity, reduce import dependence, and expand Africa’s share of global trade,” Dr Kale argued.

ASEAN’s AI MERCANTILISM:

Charting ASEAN’s Path to AI Governance: Uneven Yet Gaining Ground

AI-RELATED RISKS SUGGEST NEED FOR MORE BINDING REGULATIONS

National Bureau of Asian Research, Sep 4, 2025 – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and its member states’ innovation-friendly approach to artificial intelligence (AI) has in some measure been effective in advancing the region toward its goal of becoming a fully digital economy. The current framework seeks to ensure that no country is left behind. However, growing AI-related risks now suggest the need for more binding regulations.
AMID TRUMP TURBULENCE, ASEAN+3 CHARTS ASIA’S AI FUTURE
East Asia Forum, Sep 3, 2025 – Amid escalating US trade protectionism under President Donald Trump, ASEAN+3 member countries are reviving their cooperative agendas to bolster strategic resilience in the age of AI. The bloc has the opportunity to enhance innovation, safeguard supply chains and cooperate on leading AI innovation, positioning East Asia to navigate systemic shocks.

EAEU’s AI MERCANTILISM:

Digital Geopolitics and AI Strategy in Central Asia

RUSSIA PUSHES UNIFIED DIGITAL STANDARDS, BINDING REGION TO REGULATORY ORBIT

Times of Central Asia, Sep 2, 2025 – ….Russia participates in this competition of models by relying on traditional geopolitical frameworks. It continues to promote the concept of a “sovereign internet”, introduced through legislation in 2019, as a tool of control. Moscow presents it as a digital export product for members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). Within the EAEU’s digital agenda, Russia pushes unified digital standards, customs, and logistics platforms, binding the region to its regulatory orbit.

NORTH AMERICA’S AI MERCANTILISM:

MAGA’s Plan for AI Dominance vs. Canada’s Quest for AI Sovereignty: Is North America Big Enough for Both?

AMERICA BUILDING AI EMPIRE, AND NORTH AMERICA IS ON FRONT LINES

National News watch, Sep 2, 2025Indeed, the very idea of Canadian AI sovereignty conflicts with MAGA’s plan. American firms need access to international markets, including North America. If Canada limits that access by carving out a sovereign digital space, industry will almost certainly retaliate, buying up our firms, reshaping our regulations, and absorbing Canadian AI into the American system. These firms have very deep pockets, and their agenda is clear. America is building an AI empire, and North America is on the front lines.

AFRICAN UNION:

US, African Union attend second oversight committee meeting for Congo-Rwanda peace deal

APL |Reuters, Sep 3, 2025 – Qatar, United States, Togo and the African Union Commission participated in the second joint oversight committee meeting for the peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, the U.S. State Department said in a joint statement released on Wednesday.
LAND QUARRELS IN REBEL-OCCUPIED CONGO THREATEN TRUMP PEACE DEAL
AOL | Reuters, Sep 5, 2025 – Returning to land they fled during a violent advance by M23 rebels, some farmers in eastern Congo have had an unwelcome surprise: Their fields of cauliflower and cabbage have been taken over by newcomers, including Rwandans.
The resulting tensions could complicate efforts to bring peace and investment to a war-hit region that produces strategic minerals such as coltan, cobalt, copper and lithium.
Rwanda and Congo signed a peace deal brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration in June.
WHY AFRICAN NATIONS ARE LOOKING TO UNITE ON CLIMATE AND CONFLICT
The New Humanitarian, Sep 4, 2025 – Common African Positions (CAP) are policy documents on issues identified by the African Union as needing a continental-wide approach…. A big example is changing rainfall patterns …. So it creates issues: If a pastoralist’s animals destroy some crops, and then the farmers react by killing the animals, conflict erupts…. This is a direct example of how a climate impact is driving conflict…. In the Sahel, drought has displaced many farmers, and when they move to other communities, it increases competition and sometimes results in conflict….  People, as a means of survival, are joining armed groups, engaging in trafficking, engaging in kidnapping, engaging in conflict and violence against the state…. It will be a key negotiating document for the AU at COPs (UN climate summits), where officials can have a unified policy framework that they can present to negotiate on issues relating to climate change and security in Africa.

INTER-REGIONAL TRADE:

EU moves ahead with Mercosur trade deal, pending member states’ approval

PUSH TO OPEN NEW MARKETS IN FACE OF US TARIFFS

Le Monde|AFP, Sep 3, 2025 – The European Commission gave final approval Wednesday to a vast trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc, insisting it carries ‘robust safeguards’ for farmers.
The agreement to form a 700-million-customer free-trade area, the world’s biggest, is a key pillar in Brussels’ push to open new markets in the face of United States tariffs. But it has faced Paris-led opposition over agricultural concerns.

EUROPEAN UNION:

Position paper – “Made in Europe” content requirements

ACEA, Sep 1, 2025 – The European Commission is planning to introduce sustainability, resilience, and minimum EU content requirements in procurement for strategic sectors, particularly targeting the automotive industry.
This position paper emphasises that “Made in Europe” policies alone are insufficient. Instead, a strong industrial base requires favourable conditions such as competitive energy prices, streamlined permitting, skilled labour, and targeted incentives.

‘FORTRESS NORTH AMERICA’:

Mexico to impose higher tariffs on Chinese imports, backs US push for ‘Fortress North America’: Report

TREASURY SEC SCOTT BESSENT HAS SHOWN STRONG SUPPORT FOR IDEA

Financial Express (India), Aug 28, 2025 – The Mexican government is preparing to raise tariffs on Chinese imports in its 2026 budget proposal….
Since the start of this year, the Trump administration has been pressing Mexican officials to impose higher duties on Chinese imports, similar to the steps taken by the United States.
Mexican officials later floated the idea of creating a “Fortress North America,” which would involve limiting goods from China while boosting trade and industrial ties among the US, Mexico and Canada. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has shown strong support for the idea.
The tariff discussions come as the three nations prepare to review their free-trade deal by the middle of next year.

‘FRAGMENTED’ BRICS ALTERNATIVE TO DOLLAR:

The Impact of Central Bank Digital Currencies on Regional Power Dynamics

PROMOTING FRAGMENTATION INTO REGIONAL BLOCS

BRICS NATIONS TO GAIN LEVERAGE BY OFFERING THEIR DEVELOPING CBDC CURRENCIES AS ALTERNATIVES, THUS DEEPENING INTRA-REGIONAL TRADE
The International Banker, Aug 27, 2025 – The proliferation of CBDCs is fostering alternative cross-border networks, such as mBridge, and connecting central banks in China, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and others to share liquidity and settle in local digital currencies. This model presents a stark contrast to the single interconnected US dollar system, instead promoting fragmentation into regional blocs defined by their own digital rails. Such a fragmented architecture challenges the dollar’s primacy, shifting economic gravity toward emerging power centers, especially China and other BRICS nations, which gain leverage by offering their currencies and infrastructures as alternatives….
As a result, countries within regional blocs (for example, the Belt and Road Initiative [BRI] and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership [RCEP]) can bolster economic autonomy while deepening intra-regional trade and influence, ushering in a multipolar financial ecosystem.

SOUTH ASIA, CHINA:

Pakistan seeks deeper China ties with new push on finance, ports and CPEC

BROADER STRATEGY OF ECONOMIC, REGIONAL INTEGRATION

Arab News, Sep 1, 2025 – Pakistan is seeking to broaden its partnership with China by advancing cooperation in finance, port development and the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), top Pakistani officials said on Monday, signaling Islamabad’s renewed focus on strengthening economic integration with its longtime strategic ally….
In his meeting with the [Industrial and Commercial Bank of China] chairman, [Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb] …. emphasized that partnerships with Chinese financial institutions are not only vital for meeting immediate financing needs but are also integral to Pakistan’s broader strategy of diversification, financial innovation, and regional integration
GROWING PAKISTAN-BANGLADESH  RELATIONS ARE CHANGING REGIONAL GEOPOLITICS
The Diplomat, Sep 1, 2025 – Efforts are being made to rediscover the connection between erstwhile East and West Pakistan, which was severed in 1971, when the former broke away to emerge as a sovereign country, Bangladesh….
China, on the other hand, has been increasingly active in South Asia, particularly through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Both Pakistan and Bangladesh are key partners in the BRI, and China’s growing economic and strategic influence in the region could provide an additional impetus for Pakistan-Bangladesh cooperation.

THE 5TH ‘LEVEL OF ECONOMIC INTEGRATION’:

European Union: From Economic Union to Political Unity?

‘SECURITY IS NOW AT THE CORE OF EVERYTHING’

George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, August 2025 – Ensuring a common perception of threats among the 27 member states was challenging until the military aggression against Ukraine in February 2022. According to regional security complex theory, the EU could represent a regional security complex should its “security problems [be] so closely intertwined that they cannot meaningfully be understood independently of each other.”….
In the face of a “post-Western” world, in March 2024, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen requested that Special Adviser Sauli Niinistö draft a report on Europe’s civil and military preparedness and readiness.
The report introduces an important shift in the EU’s focus, underlining that security is now at the core of everything, whereas historically the Union was primarily based on liberalism and trade in order to create an internal market.

NEW MERCANTILISM: EUROPEAN SOVEREIGNTY?

EU defends its digital rules as ‘sovereign right’ after Trump tariff threat

LeMonde,, Aug 26, 2025 – The European Commission on Tuesday, August 26, asserted the “sovereign right” to regulate the activities of tech giants within the bloc – while rejecting claims by President Donald Trump that its rules unfairly harm US firms. Brussels has adopted a powerful legal arsenal aimed at reining in tech giants – namely through its Digital Markets Act (DMA) covering competition and the Digital Services Act (DSA) on content moderation.
Without explicitly naming the European Union, Trump on Monday threatened fresh tariffs on countries with regulations that sought to “harm” American technology – just days after both sides released details of a hard-fought transatlantic trade deal.

EURASIAN ECONOMIC UNION:

Kremlin welcomes Iran’s bid for full EAEU membership

Islamic Republic News Agency, Aug 30, 2025 – Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has welcomed Iran’s interest in becoming a full member of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU)….
The Eurasian Economic Union is an intergovernmental economic bloc that includes Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Armenia. Iran currently holds observer status in the union, alongside Uzbekistan, Moldova, and Cuba.

PUTIN AND XI TO LAY FOUNDATIONS FOR A NEW WORLD ORDER IN BEIJING

‘GREATER EURASIA’: WORLD’S FASTEST GROWING REGION
Big News Network (Dubai, UAE), Aug 30, 2025 – Beyond immediate crises, the leaders will devote time to a broader agenda: the construction of Greater Eurasia. This project draws on overlapping institutions – the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Eurasian Economic Union, and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Together they provide the architecture for a continental partnership in security and economics. For the first time in generations, the world’s fastest-growing region has a chance to set its own agenda rather than accept one written in Washington or Brussels.
ARMENIA UNDERSTANDS EU AND EAEU MEMBERSHIPS ARE UNCOMPATIBLE – PASHINYAN
Public Radio of Armenia, Aug 28, 2025 – Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that Armenia will take the necessary decision if the choice between the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union becomes unavoidable….
“It is impossible to hold dual membership. When the moment comes, when the choice becomes final and unavoidable, we will make the appropriate decision,” Pashinyan stated.
INDIA, RUSSIA COME CLOSER TO REVIVING TRADE CORRIDORS, BOLSTERING ECONOMIC TIES
The Rahnuma (India), Aug 24, 2025 – Notably, “attention was brought to resume the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) trade talks, which were halted in 2022 following the deterioration in Russia-Ukraine relations,” said the report.
First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov also said that Russia sees potential to export liquefied natural gas (LNG) to India. His comments came after the US administration imposed extra 25 per cent tariffs on India over Russian oil purchases, in a move that the Kremlin called “illegal”.

AFRICAN UNION:

Africa’s Unity Won’t Come From Donors or Declarations

The Namibian, Aug 30, 2025 – For decades, African leaders have thundered about Pan-Africanism, integration, and the dream of ‘One Africa’.Speeches at the African Union (AU) are delivered with passion, and declarations are signed with fanfare. Yet the continent remains fragmented, underdeveloped, and dependent on foreign loans.We are simply not ready for a borderless utopia. Tear those borders down today and chaos would follow:…. PanAfricanism should not be reserved for speeches at summits; it should be taught in schools, integrated into history books, and ingrained in civic education.
Africa cannot beg its way to unity. Not from the IMF, not from donors. Unity must be built through railways, trade, farms, laboratories, classrooms, and strong defences….

Will BRICS boom under Trump’s watch?

ACCUSED OF TURNING A LOOSE COALITION INTO A MORE UNIFIED BLOC

TARIFFS GIVE BRICS SHARED INCENTIVE TO CUT RELIANCE ON US
Deutsche Welle, Aug 29, 2025 – Former Indian trade official Ajay Srivastava thinks BRICS nations feel “little intimidation” from being singled out for additional penalties by Trump. He told DW that the tariffs “give BRICS a shared incentive to cut their reliance on the US, even if agendas differ.”….
While Trump has declared “BRICS is dead,” one critic has accused the US president of “strategic malpractice,” arguing that the Republican has turned a loose coalition of countries with vastly different objectives into a more unified bloc.

South American bloc Mercosur and Canada to resume talks for free-trade agreement

BROADER PUSH TO DIVERSIFY TRADE AWAY FROM US

Reuters, August 25, 2025 – Mercosur, whose rotating presidency is currently held by Brazil, is a major exporter of beef, soybeans and minerals. Besides Brazil, the bloc includes Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, while Bolivia is in the process of becoming a full member….
Canada signaled renewed interest in restarting talks with Mercosur last month, as part of a broader push to diversify trade away from the United States amid uncertainty caused by tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump….
Talks between Canada and Mercosur have been stalled since 2021 as South American countries focussed on local issues such as elections, before Trump’s policy shifts reset the trade agenda.

How Trump’s Tariffs on India and Brazil Could Strengthen BRICS

RealClearWorld, Aug 19, 2025 – Both India and Brazil are facing 50% duties that have little to do with trade imbalances. For India, the tariffs are retaliation for its Russian oil imports, while for Brazil the levies come in response to the prosecution of Trump’s ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro. Trump has also threatened additional tariffs on India and Brazil due to their participation in BRICS, which the president accuses of being “anti-American.”….
Neither India nor Brazil appears willing to accede to Trump’s demands, setting up a dynamic that could strengthen BRICS’ cohesion, push India closer to Russia and China, and undercut U.S. influence in the Indo-Pacific. In short, Trump’s attempt to coerce India and Brazil could accelerate the very geopolitical realignment Washington fears.

SE ASIA – ASEAN:

Trump tariffs bring impetus to expanded intra-ASEAN trade: Malaysia

Philippine News Ageny, Aug 19, 2025 – The sweeping global tariffs imposed by the Trump administration should provide fresh impetus to boost trade within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysia’s envoy to Manila said on Tuesday….
Castelino said Malaysia, by the end of its ASEAN chairmanship, hopes to see the ASEAN Power Grid (APG) get finalized, among other agreements. The APG is an initiative seeking to connect the 10 bloc members’ electricity networks and boost energy-related trade within the ASEAN….
ASEAN stands as the world’s fifth-largest economy at USD3.8 trillion, and is projected to become the fourth-largest by 2030.

As Trump builds tariff walls, China and Asean are building bridges

Qatar Tribune, Aug 19, 2025 – Amid escalating tensions between the United States and China and lingering trade tensions, China and Asean have gone full steam ahead on upgrading their landmark free trade pact….
This signals a push to future-proof Asia’s trade flows amid renewed US protectionism and intensifying global competition….
It gives Asean countries a chance to deepen regional integration and reinforce supply chains amid rising geopolitical uncertainty….

ARAB GULF – GCC:

GCC Railway to boost regional integration, trade, and sustainability

MODELED ON EUROPEAN UNION’S INTEGRATED TRANSPORT FRAMEWORK

Maritime Gateway, August 16, 2025 – The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is moving ahead with its ambitious 2,177-kilometre railway network, a project set to redefine connectivity, trade, and sustainability across the region….
Modeled on the European Union’s integrated transport framework, the railway will link industrial hubs like Oman’s Sohar with major cities such as Riyadh and Doha, enabling faster movement of goods and improving passenger mobility for tourists, professionals, and students….
More than just an infrastructure initiative, the GCC Railway embodies a collective vision for unity, prosperity, and sustainability—positioning the Gulf as a more integrated and future-ready economic bloc.

Trump’s tariffs could help accelerate IMEC’s implementation

COULD RESHAPE REGIONAL SUPPLY CHAINS, BOOST INFRASTRUCTURE

Hindustan Times, Aug 15, 2025 – The IMEC project is ambitious, aiming to forge a faster, more efficient trade route that connects South Asia with Europe via the Middle East…. By consolidating longitudinal trade and energy links, it could potentially reshape regional supply chains, boost infrastructure investments, and establish new entry points into European markets for Asian and Middle Eastern goods.
Trump’s tariffs have, therefore, introduced a sense of urgency to these discussions. Several trade analysts argue that the new trade barriers could push India to diversify its export markets, lessening its reliance on the increasingly protectionist US….
Similarly, the European Union (EU)’s own experience with US trade tensions has reinforced its need to strengthen independent supply chains.

SOUTH AMERICA – MERCOSUR:

UN Commission urges Latin America to diversify markets to confront Trump’s tariffs

CALLS FOR DEEPENING REGIONAL INTEGRATION IN LATIN AMERICA

Reuters, Aug 15, 2025 – The head of the U.N. commission on Latin America, Jose Manuel Salazar, urged the region’s countries to diversify their export and import markets and to integrate their economies in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs….
He also called for exploring trade and investment channels with Asian and African countries, and for deepening regional integration in Latin America.

The unintended consequence of Trump’s tariffs is pushing BRICS together

PROMPTS BRICS NATIONS TO CIRCLE WAGONS, PRESENT UNITED FRONT

bne IntelliNews, Aug 13, 2025 – President Donald Trump’s tariff salvo aimed at some of the BRICS economies is in danger badly of backfiring on US interests by driving the more moderate members of the world’s leading emerging economies into the anti-Western Sino-Russian alliance.
The US president’s Liberation Day assault on all of America’s main trading partners has prompted the BRICS to circle their wagons and present a united front in the face of US protectionism, when previously there was little true unity amongst them.

‘CAN’T DEPEND ON DOLLAR’: BRAZIL PRESIDENT LULA SAYS ‘BRICS SHOULD TEST A NEW CURRENCY’ AMID TRADE TENSIONS WITH U.S.

The Economic Times, Aug 13, 2025 – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has reiterated his support for a BRICS trade currency, saying Brazil “cannot depend on the dollar” and must remain open to testing alternatives for trade among member nations….
The United States has imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods, adding to an existing 10%, prompting Lula to announce that Brazil will seek recourse through the World Trade Organization (WTO) and other formal diplomatic channels. He also confirmed he will not engage directly with U.S. President Donald Trump in light of the dispute.

Trump tariffs will forge regional blocs, warns Japanese trading house

Nikkei Asia, Aug 1, 2025 – U.S.President Donald Trump’s tariffs will create regional trading blocs and realign global supply chains, the CEO of Japanese trading house Marubeni has warned.
Marubeni CEO Masayuki Omoto spoke with Nikkei Asia in Tokyo on July 28.

Regional blocs emerging against US tariff regime

In the long-term, the chaos sown by the biting tariffs may actually contribute to building regional blocs that could challenge US’ hegemony

The New Indian Express, Aug 2, 2025 – As the US-dominated global trade fragments and becomes even more inequitable for the poorer nations, the building of regional markets and supply chains will intensify. As it is, Europe, Canada Japan and South Korea, who thought themselves as natural allies of the US, are now seeking local collaboration….
India, too, would do well to stand its ground and not bow to US pressure to end its multilateral trade and military options. Over the years, India’s regional leadership role has considerably diminished with friction with many of its neighbours including Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. These relations have to be repaired, near-defunct bodies such as SAARC revived, and regional trade promoted.

Understanding Trump’s Tariffs: Implications for Businesses in a New Multipolar Global Economy

‘SMART INVESTORS SHOULD CONSIDER FOCUSING ON REGIONAL ALLIANCES AND ALTERNATIVE SUPPLY CHAINS’

Omanet (Oman), Aug 2, 2025 – This situation represents more than just a recurrence of past trade disputes; it signifies a global move away from reliance on the U.S. as the primary economic hub. New trade networks are emerging out of necessity….
The imposition of sweeping tariffs by the US signals an urgent need for businesses in Oman to reevaluate their trade strategies and forge new partnerships within emerging multipolar markets. This shift presents both opportunities for diversification and risks associated with geopolitical volatility.

Trump tariffs cement ‘new multipolar global economy’

SUPPLY CHAINS ARE REALIGNING AROUND REGIONAL STRENGTH

Financial Mirror (Cyprus), Aug 1, 2025 – “Multipolarity now defines the direction of global trade,” said Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory and asset management organisations….
“Tariffs are being baked in as permanent features of the new economic order. Countries are responding by building systems that can operate without US permission.”….
“This fragmentation is the new baseline. The post-war consensus on trade and financial cooperation is fading. What replaces it is a world of multiple economic power and influence centres, each with their own rules and reach.”

Globalization in the Age of Trump

MUCH OF WORLD HAS STRENGTHENED COOPERATION WITH REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONS

China-US Focus, Aug 1, 2025 – Faced with challenges posed by the Trump administration, much of the world has strengthened regional cooperation. In the Asia-Pacific, the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership — one of largest and most important free trade agreements ever to come along — is expected to promote regional trade liberalization and investment facilitation and strengthen cooperation on regional industrial and supply chains. Meanwhile, the EU has worked to strengthen internal integration, thus fortifying its single market and enhancing its competitiveness in the global economy. The UK, though no longer a member of the EU, is pursuing closer cooperation with countries on the continent. In Africa, the African Continental Free Trade Area is helping to promote trade and economic integration across the continent.‘

See older article links, summaries in NEWS ARCHIVE

VIDEO: GLOBAL SHAKEDOWN (2015)
The world’s developing and projected regional blocs. (Excerpt @ 20:15 of 27:33)