Global Horizons
Date: February 07, 2025
The advent of the Trump administration took centre stage in January 2025, with the flurry of domestic and foreign policy pronouncements made by President Trump, while not unanticipated, giving rise to consternation and pushback in many quarters.
In outlining these developments, the author points out that the clear intent by President Trump to use tariffs as a weapon to achieve foreign, immigration and economic policy objectives is likely to further weaken the structure of international institutions already struggling to remain relevant, following the extensive use of unilateral sanctions by the West against Russia under the Biden administration.
President Trump’s early outreach to Chinese President Xi Jinping was seen by Beijing as opening a channel of strategic communication. Meanwhile, Presidents Xi and Putin also conferred shortly after the Trump inauguration, underscoring their mutual desire to deepen strategic coordination. The European Council, on its part, began to review Europe’s role in the world and the assumption of greater responsibilities for defence and security in view of uncertainties about the future of EU-US ties.
The Trump administration moved quickly to signal commitment to the Quad and its role in strengthening regional maritime, economic and technological security in the face of challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
A three-phase ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas over Gaza was reached on January 17, but its future remained tenuous.
The outgoing Biden administration imposed stronger sanctions on Russian oil companies, but the outlook for Ukraine, in terms of the ongoing conflict as well as future support from the US and Europe, became more uncertain.
Other international developments covered in this issue include the political stalemate in the Republic of Korea, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, developments related to Syria, and the spiralling conflict in eastern DRC.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid an important state visit to China from January 14-17, signalling that Shri Lanka will continue to walk the fine line between India and China.
India hosted state visits of the President of Singapore (January 14-18) and the President of Indonesia (January 23-26), signalling the importance of India’s relations with these two ASEAN neighbours. The Indonesian President was the Chief Guest at India’s 76th Republic Day, and the joint statement issued following his visit signalled increased prospects of strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors.
To read this issue of Global Horizons, Vol. III, Issue 1, please see the PDF attached.
In outlining these developments, the author points out that the clear intent by President Trump to use tariffs as a weapon to achieve foreign, immigration and economic policy objectives is likely to further weaken the structure of international institutions already struggling to remain relevant, following the extensive use of unilateral sanctions by the West against Russia under the Biden administration.
President Trump’s early outreach to Chinese President Xi Jinping was seen by Beijing as opening a channel of strategic communication. Meanwhile, Presidents Xi and Putin also conferred shortly after the Trump inauguration, underscoring their mutual desire to deepen strategic coordination. The European Council, on its part, began to review Europe’s role in the world and the assumption of greater responsibilities for defence and security in view of uncertainties about the future of EU-US ties.
The Trump administration moved quickly to signal commitment to the Quad and its role in strengthening regional maritime, economic and technological security in the face of challenges in the Indo-Pacific.
A three-phase ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas over Gaza was reached on January 17, but its future remained tenuous.
The outgoing Biden administration imposed stronger sanctions on Russian oil companies, but the outlook for Ukraine, in terms of the ongoing conflict as well as future support from the US and Europe, became more uncertain.
Other international developments covered in this issue include the political stalemate in the Republic of Korea, the humanitarian crisis in Sudan, developments related to Syria, and the spiralling conflict in eastern DRC.
Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake paid an important state visit to China from January 14-17, signalling that Shri Lanka will continue to walk the fine line between India and China.
India hosted state visits of the President of Singapore (January 14-18) and the President of Indonesia (January 23-26), signalling the importance of India’s relations with these two ASEAN neighbours. The Indonesian President was the Chief Guest at India’s 76th Republic Day, and the joint statement issued following his visit signalled increased prospects of strengthening bilateral cooperation in diverse sectors.
To read this issue of Global Horizons, Vol. III, Issue 1, please see the PDF attached.
