United News of Bangladesh

Chinese Premier Li Qiang on Tuesday said that China is ready to further enhance collaboration with the United Nations to jointly promote a more just and equitable international order. The Premier made the remarks during his meeting with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the sidelines of the 17th BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Over the 80 years since its founding, the United Nations has made vital contributions to safeguarding world peace and tranquility while promoting common development, Li said. Cautioning that the world is facing mounting unstable and uncertain factors, Li said that the UN needs to play a better role. China stays committed to multilateralism and win-win cooperation: Assistant Foreign Minister Hong Lei The vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and the three major global initiatives, proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping, are highly consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, as they embody China's steadfast commitment and pragmatic approach to support multilateralism and the work of the UN, stressed Li. The more complex the international situation becomes, the more necessary it is to uphold the authority of the UN, said Li, stating that China firmly supports the UN's central role in global governance and stands ready to work with all parties to practice true multilateralism and to better advance the UN's work. As the global security faces grave challenges, China has made extensive efforts to promote dialogue for the political settlement of hotspot issues, and will continue to support the UN in playing its unique role in de-escalating tensions, the premier said. China opposes trade deals that undermine its interests, says Commerce Ministry He mentioned that all parties should prioritize development on the international agenda, work together to enhance global development cooperation, allocate resources first and foremost to key areas such as poverty alleviation, education, employment and capacity building, and revitalize the global development partnership. As a responsible major developing country, China will continue to uphold opening-up, share its opportunities globally, and promote shared development, said Li. He also emphasized China's support for the United Nations as the primary platform to address gaps in global governance in emerging areas such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, polar regions, and outer space. China, EU aim to deepen cooperation on global issues

The State Department is warning US diplomats of attempts to impersonate Secretary of State Marco Rubio and possibly other officials using technology driven by artificial intelligence, according to two senior officials and a cable sent last week to all embassies and consulates. The warning came after the department discovered that an impostor posing as Rubio had attempted to reach out to at least three foreign ministers, a US senator and a governor, according to the July 3 cable, which was first reported by The Washington Post. The recipients of the scam messages, which were sent by text, Signal and voice mail, were not identified in the cable, a copy of which was shared with The Associated Press. “The State Department is aware of this incident and is currently investigating the matter,” it said. “The department takes seriously its responsibility to safeguard its information and continuously takes steps to improve the department’s cybersecurity posture to prevent future incidents.” It declined to comment further due to “security reasons” and the ongoing investigation. It’s the latest instance of a high-level Trump administration figure targeted by an impersonator, with a similar incident revealed in May involving President Donald Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. The misuse of AI to deceive people is likely to grow as the technology improves and becomes more widely available, and the FBI warned this past spring about “malicious actors” impersonating senior U.S. government officials in a text and voice messaging campaign. The hoaxes involving Rubio had been unsuccessful and “not very sophisticated,” one of the officials said. Nonetheless, the second official said the department deemed it “prudent” to advise all employees and foreign governments, particularly as efforts by foreign actors to compromise information security increase. The officials were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. “There is no direct cyber threat to the department from this campaign, but information shared with a third party could be exposed if targeted individuals are compromised,” the cable said. Trump pushes for trade deals before Wednesday, hints at more time The FBI has warned in a public service announcement about a “malicious” campaign relying on text messages and AI-generated voice messages that purport to come from a senior US official and that aim to dupe other government officials as well as the victim’s associates and contacts. This is not the first time that Rubio has been impersonated in a deepfake. This spring, someone created a bogus video of him saying he wanted to cut off Ukraine’s access to Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service. Ukraine’s government later rebutted the false claim. Several potential solutions have been put forward in recent years to the growing misuse of AI for deception, including criminal penalties and improved media literacy. Concerns about deepfakes have also led to a flood of new apps and AI systems designed to spot phonies that could easily fool a human. The tech companies working on these systems are now in competition against those who would use AI to deceive, according to Siwei Lyu, a professor and computer scientist at the University at Buffalo. He said he’s seen an increase in the number of deepfakes portraying celebrities, politicians and business leaders as the technology improves. Just a few years ago, fakes contained easy-to-spot flaws — inhuman voices or mistakes like extra fingers — but now the AI is so good, it’s much harder for a human to spot, giving deepfake makers an advantage. “The level of realism and quality is increasing,” Lyu said. “It’s an arms race, and right now the generators are getting the upper hand.” The Rubio hoax comes after text messages and phone calls went to elected officials, business executives and other prominent figures from someone who seemed to have gained access to the contacts in Wiles’ personal cellphone, The Wall Street Journal reported in May. Some of those who received calls heard a voice that sounded like Wiles, which may have been generated by AI, according to the newspaper. The messages and calls were not coming from Wiles’ number, the report said. The government was investigating.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants Tuesday for the Taliban’s supreme leader and the head of Afghanistan’s Supreme Court on charges of persecuting women and girls since seizing power nearly four years ago. The warrants also accuse the leaders of persecuting “other persons non-conforming with the Taliban’s policy on gender, gender identity or expression; and on political grounds against persons perceived as ‘allies of girls and women.’” The warrants were issued against Taliban supreme leader Hibatullah Akhunzada and the head of the Supreme Court, Abdul Hakim Haqqani. The court said in a statement that the Taliban have “severely deprived, through decrees and edicts, girls and women of the rights to education, privacy and family life and the freedoms of movement, expression, thought, conscience and religion. In addition, other persons were targeted because certain expressions of sexuality and/or gender identity were regarded as inconsistent with the Taliban’s policy on gender.” Russia becomes first state to recognise Afghanistan's Taliban government The court’s chief prosecutor, Karim Khan, sought the warrants in January, saying that they recognized that “Afghan women and girls as well as the LGBTQI+ community are facing an unprecedented, unconscionable and ongoing persecution by the Taliban.” Global advocacy group Human Rights Watch welcomed the decision. “Senior Taliban leaders are now wanted men for their alleged persecution of women, girls, and gender non-conforming people. The international community should fully back the ICC in its critical work in Afghanistan and globally, including through concerted efforts to enforce the court’s warrants," Liz Evenson, the group's international justice director, said in a statement.

US President Donald Trump has been nominated again for the Nobel Peace Prize. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Trump on Monday that he recommended him for the prestigious award, handing the American leader the letter he said he sent the Nobel committee. Trump has been nominated several times by people within the US as well as politicians abroad — but that's only one small step in the secretive process. Trump's previous nominations Trump's nominators have included a group of US House Republicans and two Norwegian lawmakers. The groups separately nominated him in 2018 for his work to ease nuclear tensions with North Korea. One of the Norwegians nominated him again for the 2021 prize for his efforts in the Middle East, as did a Swedish lawmaker. Not all of the nominations have been valid: The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which selects the prize winners, said in 2018 that someone using a stolen identity had nominated Trump at least twice. Nominations can be made by a select group of people and organizations, including heads of state or politicians serving at a national level, university professors, directors of foreign policy institutes, past Nobel Prize recipients and members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee itself. Secret process Once all nominations have come in, the committee — made up of five members appointed by the Norwegian parliament — sifts through them and ensures they were made by an eligible nominator. A person cannot nominate themselves, according to the committee. The nominations aren’t announced by the committee, and the Nobel statutes prohibit the judges from discussing their deliberations for 50 years. But those doing the nominating may choose to make their recommendations public. Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize over Israel-Iran ceasefire Nominations must be submitted before Feb. 1 each year — meaning any recent Netanyahu nomination would be for the 2026 prize. The winners are announced every October, with award ceremonies taking place on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death. The prizes in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and peace were established by the will of Alfred Nobel, a wealthy Swedish industrialist and the inventor of dynamite. An economics prize was later established by Sweden's central bank and is presented at the same time. How to win the peace prize According to Nobel’s wishes, the peace prize should go to “the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” The peace prize committee is the only one that regularly rewards achievements made in the previous year — and the prize is the only one awarded in Oslo, Norway. For the science-related prizes, scientists often have to wait decades to have their work recognized by the Nobel judges, who want to make sure that any breakthrough stands the test of time, in Stockholm. Former US President Barack Obama won the peace prize in 2009, barely nine months into his first term. It was met with fierce criticism in the US, where many argued Obama had not been in office long enough to have an impact worthy of the Nobel. Former US President Jimmy Carter won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for work he did after leaving the White House.

Five Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in the northern Gaza Strip, Israel's military said Tuesday, while health officials in the Palestinian territory said 51 people were killed in Israeli strikes. The bloodshed came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting the White House for talks with US President Donald Trump about a ceasefire plan to pause the Gaza fighting. While there was no announcement of a breakthrough, there were signs of progress toward a deal. According to AP, the soldiers' deaths could add to pressure on Netanyahu to strike a deal, as polls in Israel have shown widespread support for ending the 21-month war. A senior Israeli official said 80-90% of the details had been ironed out and a final agreement could be days away. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorised to discuss the sensitive negotiations with the media. Soldiers attacked with explosive devices The soldiers were killed roughly two weeks after Israel reported one of its deadliest days in months in Gaza, when seven soldiers were killed after a Palestinian attached a bomb to their armoured vehicle. An Israeli security official said explosive devices were detonated against the five soldiers during an operation in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza, an area where Israel has repeatedly fought regrouping militants. Houthi rebels attack Red Sea ship after claiming to sink another The military said 14 soldiers were wounded in the attack, two of them seriously. It brings the toll of soldiers killed to 888 since Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack. Abu Obeida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, said on social media that the attack was an “additional blow” against what he described as a “weak” army. In a statement, Netanyahu sent condolences, saying the soldiers fell “in a campaign to defeat Hamas and to free all of our hostages.” On the other hand, health officials at Nasser Hospital, where victims of the Israeli strikes were taken, said one strike targeted tents sheltering displaced people in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing four people. A separate strike in Khan Younis killed four people, including a mother, father and their two children, officials said. Nasser Hospital records showed a total of 41 people killed on Tuesday. In central Gaza, Israeli strikes killed another 10 people and wounded 72, according to Awda Hospital in Nuseirat. Israel's military had no immediate comment on the strikes, but it blames Hamas for any harm to civilians because the militants operate in populated areas.

Monsoon-swollen floodwaters swept away the main bridge linking Nepal with China on Tuesday, leaving 18 people missing and halting a key trade route, according to Nepali authorities. The Bhotekoshi River, swollen by heavy rainfall, destroyed the Friendship Bridge at Rasuwagadi, located about 120 kilometers (75 miles) north of the capital, Kathmandu. The flood also swept away several houses and trucks that had been parked at the border for customs inspections. Among the damaged property were hundreds of electric vehicles imported from China. Rescue operations were underway, with a Nepali Army helicopter evacuating people stranded by the sudden flooding. Police said that 95 rescuers had already reached the site and additional teams were being mobilized. Monsoon rains and flash floods kill at least 72 in Pakistan According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority, the 18 missing people include 12 Nepali citizens and six Chinese nationals. The Chinese nationals, along with eight of the Nepalis, were working on a Chinese-assisted construction project on the Nepali side of the border, the Chinese Embassy in Nepal said, as reported by state media. The destruction of the Friendship Bridge has effectively stopped all trade via this route. With the Rasuwagadi checkpoint out of operation, the only viable alternative involves transporting goods from China to India and then overland into Nepal — a longer and more complex process. Nepal’s monsoon season, which lasts from June to September, often brings devastating floods that damage infrastructure and threaten lives, particularly in mountainous and border regions.

Japanese Emperor Naruhito met with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on Tuesday in Ulaanbaatar, underscoring a shared interest in deepening ties between the two democracies in a region long shaped by Russian and Chinese influence. The meeting followed a formal welcoming ceremony in the Mongolian capital on the second day of Naruhito’s weeklong visit — a significant gesture that marks Japan’s growing engagement with the landlocked nation of 3.5 million. Tokyo has prioritized boosting trade with Mongolia, which exports much of its rich resources of coal, copper, and other minerals to China. Later in the day, Emperor Naruhito is scheduled to lay flowers at a cenotaph honoring the thousands of Japanese prisoners of war who were held under harsh conditions in Mongolia during and after World War II. The visit coincides with the 80th anniversary of the war’s end. Historians note that one of the earliest clashes of the global conflict occurred in the summer of 1939 along the Mongolian frontier, where Soviet forces repelled an incursion by Japanese troops in a decisive defeat for Japan. Japan to provide $4.8mn to strengthen Bangladesh's election systems In recent years, Naruhito has made a point of visiting sites associated with some of the most devastating battles and bombings of World War II, including Iwo Jima, Okinawa, and Hiroshima. These journeys, he has said, are part of an effort to reflect on the tragedies of war fought in the name of his grandfather, Emperor Hirohito. While the majority of Japanese prisoners of war were sent to Siberia, between 12,000 and 14,000 were detained in Mongolia, which had joined the Soviet Union in its war against Japan by the end of World War II. Following the war, Mongolia remained a tightly controlled Soviet ally, effectively functioning as a militarized buffer state aimed at China. Most of the population continued their traditional nomadic herding lifestyle during this period. Since the collapse of Communist rule in 1989, Mongolia has established a resilient democracy and worked to balance political and economic pressure from neighboring powers with strategic partnerships, including strong ties with the United States, Japan, and South Korea.

Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a prolonged attack on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea on Tuesday, following their claim of sinking another vessel earlier this week — a series of incidents that threaten to escalate tensions and reignite conflict in the strategically vital waterway. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, the Greek-owned bulk carrier Eternity C remained “surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack.” At least two people aboard the ship were reported injured, and two others were missing as of Tuesday. The ship, which was heading north toward the Suez Canal, came under assault late Monday by men in small boats and bomb-laden drones. Security personnel on board returned fire in defense, according to reports from the European Union’s anti-piracy mission Operation Atalanta and private maritime security firm Ambrey. Though the Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility for this latest incident, Yemen’s exiled government and EU officials have squarely blamed the Iran-backed rebel group for the attack. Just two days earlier, the Houthis targeted another Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier, Magic Seas, using drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire. The 22-member crew was forced to abandon the vessel, which the rebels later said had sunk in the Red Sea. The back-to-back attacks, combined with Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi positions early Monday, have raised concerns about the potential for a renewed Houthi campaign against commercial shipping. Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis; rebels retaliate with missile fire Such a campaign could again prompt a military response from U.S. and Western forces, as seen during the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which launched airstrikes against the group. These developments unfold at a critical juncture in the region. A possible ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict remains uncertain, and Iran is reportedly weighing its options about returning to nuclear negotiations following U.S. strikes on its key nuclear sites during the brief Israel-Iran conflict in June. The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have continued to justify their maritime attacks as a means to pressure Israel to halt its offensive in Gaza. From November 2023 to January 2025, the group targeted over 100 merchant ships with missiles and drones, sinking two and killing four sailors.  Their actions have significantly disrupted trade along the Red Sea corridor, a route that typically facilitates $1 trillion in annual global commerce. Although Red Sea shipping had begun to recover in recent weeks, the recent Houthi attacks could threaten that progress. The rebels had paused maritime assaults since the U.S. launched a major campaign against them in mid-March, but their latest attacks mark a potential return to hostilities. However, they had continued sporadic missile launches targeting Israel during that period

French President Emmanuel Macron has arrived in the United Kingdom for a three-day state visit marked by royal ceremony and high-stakes political discussions focused on curbing cross-Channel migration and supporting Ukraine. Macron’s visit comes at the invitation of King Charles III and represents the first state visit by a European Union head of state to the UK since Brexit, symbolizing Britain’s efforts to rebuild ties with the EU following its 2020 departure from the bloc. The French President and his wife, Brigitte Macron, were received at a Royal Air Force base by Prince William and Princess Catherine. They then traveled to Windsor Castle in a horse-drawn carriage, passing through streets decorated with Union Jacks and French tricolor flags. Upon arrival at Windsor, the Macrons were welcomed with a military honor guard and will attend a state banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla. This visit follows a reciprocal state visit by the British royals to France in September 2023. While the monarch is expected to avoid direct political commentary, King Charles will use his address at the banquet to make a broader call for international unity, stating that the UK and France “face a multitude of complex threats” that “know no borders,” adding that “no fortress can protect us against them.” During his stay, President Macron will also address both houses of the British Parliament in the historic Royal Gallery before holding bilateral talks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Discussions will focus on migration, defense cooperation, and investment. Focus on migration: "New tactics to stop boats" A major item on the agenda is tackling illegal migration across the English Channel. At a UK-France summit scheduled for Thursday, senior officials from both governments will discuss joint efforts to reduce the number of small boats carrying migrants from northern France to the UK. Though the UK receives fewer asylum seekers compared to southern European nations, it remains a popular destination for migrants. Thousands use northern France as a launching point, especially after increased security measures targeted truck stowaways. In 2024, around 37,000 people crossed the Channel in small boats, making it the second-highest annual total after 2022. Over 20,000 crossings have already been recorded in the first half of 2025 — a nearly 50% increase over the same period last year. The journey remains perilous, with dozens losing their lives attempting it. Ukraine pursues joint weapons production with allies as US pauses some arms shipments Prime Minister Starmer, whose centre-left government came to power a year ago, has vowed to “smash the gangs” behind the human smuggling networks. His strategy emphasizes closer cooperation with France and countries along migrant routes in Africa and the Middle East. The UK is also pursuing bilateral agreements with individual countries to repatriate failed asylum seekers. British officials have urged French police to take more aggressive action to prevent crossings. Recent footage of French officers slashing rubber dinghies was welcomed by the UK. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commented that the French are “bringing in important new tactics to stop boats that are in the water.” The UK is also pushing France to allow its officers to intervene in deeper waters, a proposal currently under consideration in Paris. However, some migrant rights advocates and a police union have warned that such moves could pose risks to both migrants and law enforcement personnel. Tom Wells, spokesperson for Starmer, acknowledged the complexity of the discussions, stating, “Some of the tactics being discussed are operationally and legally complex, but we’re working closely with the French.” Keeping Ukraine on the agenda Macron and Starmer are also coordinating closely on Ukraine. Both leaders have championed efforts to establish an international peacekeeping force to help enforce a future ceasefire, should one be reached. The proposed force would involve European troops, military equipment, and U.S. security guarantees. However, the plan has met resistance from Washington, with U.S. President Donald Trump showing limited enthusiasm for the idea. Russia, meanwhile, has continued its military aggression in Ukraine, making a ceasefire uncertain. Despite these hurdles, British officials maintain that the initiative — referred to as a “coalition of the willing” — remains viable. Macron and Starmer are expected to participate in an international videoconference on Thursday to continue planning efforts. Starmer spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday and discussed the “significant progress being made by military planners,” according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s office.

President Donald Trump on Monday placed a 25% tax on goods imported from Japan and South Korea, as well as new tariff rates on Malaysia, Kazakhstan, South Africa, Laos and Myanmar. Trump provided notice of the tariffs to begin on Aug. 1 by posting letters on Truth Social that were addressed to the leaders of the various countries. The letters warned them to not retaliate by increasing their own import taxes, or else the Trump administration would further increase tariffs. “If for any reason you decide to raise your Tariffs, then, whatever the number you choose to raise them by, will be added onto the 25% that we charge,” Trump wrote in the letters to Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung. The letters were not the final word from Trump on tariffs, so much as another episode in a global economic drama in which the U.S. president has placed himself at the center. His moves have raised fears that economic growth would slow to a muddle, if not make the U.S. and other nations more vulnerable to a recession. But Trump is confident that tariffs are necessary to bring back domestic manufacturing and fund the tax cuts he signed into law last Friday. Imports from Malaysia would be taxed at 25%, Myanmar at 40%, Laos at 40%, South Africa at 30% and Kazakhstan at 25%. Trump placed the word “only” before revealing the rate in his letters to the foreign leaders, implying that he was being generous with his tariffs. Trade talks have yet to deliver several dealsWhite House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said at the daily news briefing that similar letters to approximately five other countries would be issued on Monday. Following a now well-worn pattern, Trump plans to continue sharing the letters sent to his counterparts on social media and then mail them the documents. The letters are not negotiated settlements but Trump's own choice on rates, a sign that the closed-door talks with foreign delegations failed to produce satisfactory results for either side. Leavitt said that Trump was by setting the rates himself creating “tailor-made trade plans for each and every country on this planet and that’s what this administration continues to be focused on.” Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute who formerly worked in the office of the U.S. Trade Representative, said the tariff hikes on Japan and South Korea were “unfortunate.” “Both have been close partners on economic security matters and have a lot to offer the United States on priority matters like shipbuilding, semiconductors, critical minerals and energy cooperation,” Cutler said. “Moreover, companies from both countries have made significant manufacturing investments in the U.S. in recent years, bringing high-paying jobs to U.S. workers and benefiting communities all around the country.” Trump still has outstanding differences on trade with the European Union and India, among other trading partners. Tougher talks with China are on a longer time horizon in which imports from that nation are being taxed at 55%. Higher tariffs prompt market worries, more talks aheadThe S&P 500 stock index was down nearly 1% in Monday afternoon trading, while the interest charged on the 10-year U.S. Treasury noted had increased to nearly 4.39%, a figure that could translate into elevated rates for mortgages and auto loans. Trump has declared an economic emergency to unilaterally impose the taxes, suggesting they are remedies for past trade deficits even though many U.S. consumers have come to value autos, electronics and other goods from Japan and South Korea. But it's unclear what he gains strategically against China — another stated reason for the tariffs — by challenging two crucial partners in Asia who could counter China's economic heft. “These tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on our relationship with your Country,” Trump wrote in both letters. Because the new tariff rates go into effect in roughly three weeks, Trump is setting up a period of possibly tempestuous talks among the U.S. and its trade partners to reach new frameworks. Trump initially sparked hysteria in the financial markets by announcing tariff rates on dozens of countries, including 24% on Japan and 25% on South Korea. In order to calm the markets, Trump unveiled a 90-day negotiating period during which goods from most countries were taxed at a baseline 10%. The 90-day negotiating period technically ends on Wednesday, even as multiple administration officials suggested the three-week period before implementation is akin to overtime for additional talks that could change the rates. Trump plans to sign an executive order on Monday to delay the official tariff increases until Aug. 1, Leavitt said. Administration officials have said Trump is relying on tariff revenues to help offset the tax cuts he signed into law on July 4, a move that could shift a greater share of the federal tax burden onto the middle class and poor as importers would likely pass along much of the cost of the tariffs. Trump has warned major retailers such as Walmart to simply “eat” the higher costs, instead of increasing prices in ways that could intensify inflation. Few deals have materialized so farTrump's team promised 90 deals in 90 days, but his negotiations so far have produced only two trade frameworks. His trade framework with Vietnam was clearly designed to box out China from routing its America-bound goods through that country, by doubling the 20% tariff charged on Vietnamese imports on anything traded transnationally. The quotas in the signed United Kingdom framework would spare that nation from the higher tariff rates being charged on steel, aluminum and autos, still British goods would generally face a 10% tariff. The United States ran a $69.4 billion trade imbalance in goods with Japan in 2024 and a $66 billion imbalance with South Korea, according to the Census Bureau. The trade deficit was $24.9 billion with Malaysia, $1.3 billion with Kazakhstan, $8.9 billion with South Africa, $763 million with Laos, $577 million with Myanmar. The trade deficits are the differences between what the U.S. exports to a country relative to what it imports. According to Trump's letters, autos would be tariffed separately at the standard 25% worldwide, while steel and aluminum imports would be taxed on 50%. This is not the first time that Trump has tangled with Japan and South Korea on trade — and the new tariffs suggest his past deals made during his first term failed to deliver on his administration's own hype. In 2018 during Trump's first term, his administration celebrated a revamped trade agreement with South Korea as a major win. And in 2019, Trump signed a limited agreement with Japan on agricultural products and digital trade that at the time he called a “huge victory for America’s farmers, ranchers and growers.” Trump has also said on social media that countries aligned with the policy goals of BRICS, an organization composed of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates, would face additional tariffs of 10%.