South Korea's acting president says tariff talks with US may not be easy
South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo said on Monday that upcoming trade talks with the United States are expected to be the start of meaningful cooperation, though the negotiations may prove difficult.
As stated by Reuters, South Korean Finance and Industry Ministers are scheduled to meet with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer in Washington on April 24.
Han emphasized that the government would make an “all-out effort” to secure a mutually beneficial agreement, stressing the importance of calmly and seriously consulting with the U.S. while prioritizing national interests, Reuters reported.
The meeting comes at a critical time for Seoul as it seeks to strengthen economic ties with Washington while safeguarding its own industries amid growing global trade tensions.
PM Modi and Elon Musk talk India-US tech collaboration
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently spoke with Elon Musk about potential collaboration in "technology and innovation." Modi shared details of the conversation on X, revisiting earlier discussions from their Washington meeting, BBC reported.
The talk comes as India seeks to finalize a bilateral trade agreement with the US to counteract potential tariffs imposed by former President Donald Trump. It also precedes the upcoming visit of US Vice-President JD Vance to India.
Musk, associated with Trump and leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), is aiming to expand his business in India. His company Starlink signed an agreement with major Indian telecom firms to deliver satellite internet and is awaiting government approval to launch services, according to BBC.
The dialogue follows Trump's announcement of a 27% tariff on Indian goods, which has since been paused, prompting ongoing trade negotiations between the two nations.
Russia sees progress in Ukraine peace talks
The Kremlin said on Friday that some progress had already been made in talks about a possible peace settlement to end the war in Ukraine but that contacts were rather complicated with the United States.
"Contacts are quite complicated, because, naturally, the topic is not an easy one," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
"Russia is committed to resolving this conflict, ensuring its own interests, and is open to dialogue. We continue to do this."
US President Donald Trump said on Friday that he wanted to achieve a peace deal quickly, but could not be involved in the search for a settlement indefinitely "if one of the two parties makes it very difficult".
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking earlier in Paris after meeting European and Ukrainian leaders, said the sides had just days to show progress or Washington would abandon its efforts.
Asked if the United States could withdraw from the search for a peace settlement in Ukraine, Peskov said that was a question for Washington.
"We believe that some progress can already be noted," Peskov said, citing a temporary moratorium on strikes against energy infrastructure, though he said Ukraine had not adhered to it.
"Therefore, certain developments have already been achieved, but, of course, there are still many complex discussions ahead."
Peskov, when asked if the energy moratorium was over, said that it had already been a month but that no orders from the president had been received to change Russia's position.
Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Russia's Security Council and a representative of Russian hawks, expressed approval for the US remarks on the X social media platform.
"American officials have said that if there is no progress on the Ukrainian case, the United States will wash its hands of it. Wisely," Medvedev wrote in English. "And the EU should do the same. Then Russia will figure it out faster."
Reuters
Bangladesh’s export to Nepal remains unaffected: India
India has said that its decision to withdraw the transshipment facility extended to Bangladesh would not affect Bangladesh’s exports to Nepal and Bhutan. In a weekly press conference, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson at the Ministry of External Affairs said decisions would not affect regional integration and trade.
We do have that in mind that regional trade needs to be promoted, he said, so that how I would look at India-Bangladesh ties. Last week, India revoked the transshipment facility it granted to Bangladesh, meaning Bangladesh can no longer export goods to third countries through Indian ports and airports.
