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1 day ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
The latest escalation in the ongoing U.S.-China trade war comes not through direct tariffs on Beijing, but rather a targeted campaign against Chinese companies operating in Southeast Asia. On April 22, 2025, the U.S. Department of Commerce imposed anti-dumping and countervailing duties—some as high as 3,521%—on solar panel imports from Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam.
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3 days ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
Germany has become the first major European Union (EU) economy to directly feel the sting of a new wave of U.S. trade restrictions. In a surprise announcement, German logistics giant DHL has temporarily halted all parcel deliveries valued over $800 to private individuals in North America.
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5 days ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
The resumption of nuclear negotiations between Iran and the United States in Rome marks a pivotal moment in Middle Eastern diplomacy. Facilitated by Omani mediation, these talks aim to address longstanding tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program. The involvement of Russia adds another layer of complexity, given its strategic partnership with Iran and vested interests in the region. Iran’s engagement in the current negotiations does not signify a retreat from its core positions.
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1 week ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, China’s stance has been under international scrutiny. Officially, Beijing maintains a position of neutrality, advocating for peaceful resolutions and refraining from direct involvement. However, recent allegations suggest a more complex reality, with claims of China providing military support to Russia while simultaneously engaging in robust trade with European nations.
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1 week ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
As U.S.-China economic tensions escalate into full-fledged decoupling, a new global trade reality is emerging. While the United States continues to impose steep tariffs on Chinese goods, China’s trade is not slowing — it’s simply rerouting. The World Trade Organization (WTO) forecasts a dramatic 81% drop in U.S.-China merchandise trade by 2025 due to tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese exports and 125% on American goods.
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1 week ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
In the early months of his second term, President Donald J. Trump reignited the economic nationalism that defined his first presidency. Central to his agenda: tariffs. But this time, the policies were not only sporadic and unpredictable—they were wielded like a dealer’s chip in a casino, and the house always won. That “house,” as it turns out, included a select group of billionaires and corporations closely aligned with Trump’s political rallies and administration.
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1 week ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
Statements from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, as published in Kommersant, suggest that Moscow differentiates Trump from other American leaders, praising his pragmatism and “common-sense” diplomacy. According to Lavrov’s recent interview:“Trump has repeatedly said that the colossal mistake which led to the current events in Ukraine was the Biden administration’s decision to drag Ukraine into NATO.”This statement is key.
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1 week ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
In April 2025, the Trump administration announced a significant reversal: smartphones, computers, semiconductors, and other key electronics were exempted from the steep tariffs previously imposed on Chinese imports. This move, which came amidst escalating trade tensions, highlights the complex pressures influencing U.S. trade policy. The Trump administration’s initial imposition of tariffs aimed to bolster domestic manufacturing and reduce reliance on foreign imports.
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1 week ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
The reimplementation of aggressive trade tariffs by President Donald Trump in 2025 has reignited global trade tensions, particularly between the United States and China. While these tariffs aim to protect American industries, they have inadvertently opened avenues for China to strengthen its economic and diplomatic positions.The U.S. has imposed tariffs as high as 145% on Chinese imports, with China retaliating with 125% tariffs on U.S. goods.
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2 weeks ago | 
thinktank.pk | Saeed Minhas
In recent weeks, a wave of uncertainty has swept through Europe as the European Union (EU) appears increasingly divided over its position on Russia, Ukraine, and the broader implications of the war that has reshaped the continent’s geopolitical architecture. From troop deployment hesitations to disputes over seizing Russian assets, the cracks in EU unity are growing more visible—and consequential.
