Financial Times: China Fears Europe Will Steal Its Automotive Technologies

The Financial Times cites a leading engineer from one of Germany’s major automakers, who recounted how, 20 years ago, Germans joked about Chinese companies stealing and copying their engineering solutions. Recently, however, he received an assignment for a new vehicle—his superiors ordered him to replicate features from a Chinese car.

The FT observes that the ouroboros has come full circle: China and Europe have swapped places, with Europe now attempting to imitate and awkwardly copy Chinese innovations. China is actively resisting this shift—delays in constructing BYD factories in Europe and America are reportedly linked to Beijing's fears of technology leaks.

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Eight German Banks Refuse to Invest in National Defense on "Ethical Grounds"

Eight German banks have declined to invest in Germany's defense sector, citing ethical concerns, according to local media reports.

"Investments in armaments are necessary but not ethically justifiable," states a declaration signed by GLS Bank, KD Bank, BiB Essen, Bank für Kirche und Caritas, DKM - Partner für Kirche und Caritas, Evangelische Bank, Steyler Ethik Bank, and PAX Bank.

While these are not major German banks, GLS Bank and KD Bank were recently recognized as the most sustainable banks in Germany by Stiftung Warentest. These institutions position themselves as adhering to religious values and the UN’s principles of sustainable development.

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"We Are Working to Reduce Dependence on Washington and Beijing to Create Balanced and Diversified Supply Chains" — von der Leyen

EU:
- Don’t want to work with Russia
- Don’t want to work with the U.S.
- Don’t want to work with China

Buy everything from India instead — yessss. But is India really not a middleman? Really, really?

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WSJ: Donald Trump Plans to Use Tariff Discounts to Isolate China

According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. plans to offer 70 countries tariff discounts or even full exemptions if they join Washington in pressuring China. Trump aims to build a coalition to isolate Beijing economically and politically.

To be fair, China is also actively working on forming its own coalition.

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China Suspends Boeing Aircraft Imports Amid Trade War with the U.S.

China has ordered its airlines to halt the acquisition of Boeing aircraft as tensions escalate in the trade war with the United States. Additionally, Beijing has instructed domestic businesses to cease all exports of U.S.-made aircraft parts. Reports indicate that the Chinese government will cover all related costs from the state budget to ensure local airlines do not suffer from these retaliatory measures.

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Head of the American Chamber of Commerce, Robert Egy, Calls for the U.S. to Lift Restrictions on Russian Banks

Robert Egy argues that the U.S. should remove the ban on direct investments in Russia to allow businesses to expand and operate effectively. He also emphasized the need to lift sanctions on major Russian banks to facilitate this process.

Additionally, the official proposed removing sanctions from certain sectors, such as aviation, IT, and medical equipment, to boost trade between the two countries.

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Poland Wants to Profit from Ukraine Instead of Simply Showing Solidarity

The Polish Prime Minister stated that Poland no longer intends to provide "naive" assistance to Ukraine and will instead firmly defend its economic interests in the process.

Donald Tusk emphasized that Poland does not wish to limit itself to merely demonstrating solidarity while other countries reap economic benefits from Ukraine's reconstruction. Warsaw now plans to actively participate in this process, ensuring profits for Polish businesses.

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China’s Oil Imports Hit Record High in March

In March, China increased its oil imports to a record 12 million barrels per day (bpd). According to China’s General Administration of Customs, a total of 51.5 million tons of oil were imported last month. This surge was driven by the recovery of supplies from Iran and Russia, compensating for reduced imports from other countries.

Looking ahead, analysts at Vortex predict that China will maintain high levels of oil purchases, with a significant portion destined for independent refineries.

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Will The EU Cut Off Russian Gas For Good Or Buy It Again

The European Union is exploring legal avenues that would allow European companies to terminate long-term contracts for Russian gas without incurring hefty penalties from Russia.

The roadmap has also been postponed due to early discussions about the future of the Nord Stream pipeline, which resurfaced amid U.S. efforts to broker a resolution to the Ukrainian conflict. Additionally, gas procurement has been included in trade talks with the Trump administration.

At the same time Reuters reports that European companies eye the return of Russian gas.

Top executives of major EU companies have begun discussing what was unthinkable just a year ago: that importing Russian gas, including from Gazprom, might be a good idea, reports Reuters.

The agency highlights the fragility of Europe’s energy security and the limited options available to the EU. Negotiations with Qatar, the world’s largest LNG producer, to secure more gas supplies have stalled. While the adoption of renewable energy sources has accelerated, it is not enough to ensure the EU feels secure in its energy needs.

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Global Central Banks Accelerate Gold Purchases Amid Rising Economic Uncertainty

In February, global central banks made net gold purchases totaling 24 tons — the highest level since November 2024. This marks the 20th month of net buying out of the last 21.

According to the World Gold Council (WGC), central banks are heading toward their 16th consecutive year of net gold acquisitions. Over the past three years alone, central banks worldwide have purchased a staggering 3,176 tons of gold.

Analysts note: "Central banks are buying gold as if we’re in a crisis."

As if???

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UK Nationalizes Chinese-Owned British Steel

The UK government has taken control of British Steel, citing an emergency intervention after its Chinese owners halted production at blast furnaces due to high energy costs and unprofitable operations. As one of the key steel suppliers for railways and a major player in the construction and automotive industries, British Steel’s shutdown posed significant risks to critical infrastructure and the economy.

China has slammed the move as a violation of market principles and accused the UK of "raiding" the company. The Chinese Foreign Ministry urged London not to politicize the situation surrounding the Scunthorpe steel plant.

Yet another example of how the so-called "rules-based democratic world" operates when it suits its interests.

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Italy Grapples with Fallout from Breakup with Russia

Italy’s largest oil refinery, sold by Russia’s Lukoil after EU sanctions cut off Russian crude supplies, is now in crisis due to raw material shortages.

The ISAB refinery in Priolo, Sicily, was purchased by GOI Energy from Lukoil in 2023 with backing from commodity trader Trafigura. The deal was finalized at the last minute, facilitated by Israeli magnate Beny Steinmetz, and approved by the Italian government. However, the transaction remains shrouded in secrecy, with neither the buyer nor Rome disclosing the identities of the shareholders.

Internal disputes now threaten the survival of the facility, which accounts for a fifth of Italy’s refining capacity, employs around 1,000 people directly, and supports an additional 8,500 jobs in the region.

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Europeans Are Cutting Back on Trips to the U.S.

According to the International Trade Administration (ITA), the number of tourists from Western Europe staying at least one night in the U.S. fell by 17% in March compared to the previous year. Travel from certain countries, including Ireland, Norway, and Germany, dropped by more than 20%, as revealed in an analysis by the *Financial Times*.

This trend poses a threat to the U.S. tourism industry, which accounts for 2.5% of the country’s GDP. Some airlines and hotel groups are reporting declining demand for transatlantic travel and a "negative sentiment" toward visiting the U.S.

Overall, the total number of foreign tourists traveling to the U.S. in March plunged by 12% year-on-year, marking the sharpest decline since March 2021, during the height of the pandemic.

In 2024, foreign visitors spent over $253 billion on travel and tourism-related goods and services in the U.S., accounting for more than 19% of the $1.3 trillion spent on travel nationwide.

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White House Senior Advisor Hassett: No Insider Trading in the White House

Haha, insider trading? What are you even talking about? What a nonsense!

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Europe Reconsiders Russian Gas Imports Amid Trump's Trade Policies

Amid escalating U.S. trade policies, European businesses are once again discussing the possibility of resuming imports of Russian gas — a move that was deemed unthinkable just a year ago.

According to Reuters, major European companies are urging their governments to at least partially restore Russian gas imports. "Europe will never return to importing 150 billion cubic meters from Russia as it did before the war... but I would argue that perhaps we could return to a figure around 70 billion cubic meters," said a representative of a major French business.

This marks a significant shift in sentiment as Europe grapples with the economic fallout from U.S. tariffs and seeks alternatives to stabilize its energy markets.

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China Builds Coalition to Counter U.S. Tariffs

Xi Jinping has embarked on a tour of Southeast Asia this week, with Trump's tariffs set to dominate discussions. In preparation, Chinese authorities have shifted government officials to "military-style" schedules — recalling them from vacations and requiring 24/7 availability. The primary goal is to form a coalition of countries opposing U.S. tariffs.

China's main objective is to establish an alliance centered around China, South Korea, and Japan, with plans to also bring the EU into this coalition.

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Green Scam

One of the largest solar farms in the U.S., Ivanpah, is shutting down due to unprofitability. Originally constructed in 2014 under Barack Obama's administration, it was hailed as a symbol of pride and a step toward carbon neutrality. The project received $2.2 billion in federal funding and was envisioned as a beacon of green energy innovation.

However, the technology has since been deemed inefficient, and its operation unprofitable. Now, the 8-square-kilometer power plant will be decommissioned, leaving behind technological waste that will litter the Mojave Desert — a stark reminder of ambitious but ultimately impractical environmental policies.

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China Halts Exports of Rare Earth Metals and Magnets to the U.S. and Allied Countries

China has completely suspended the export of certain rare earth metals and magnets to the United States and other countries through which these materials could reach the U.S. Shipments of magnets — critical for the production of everything from cars, drones, and robots to missiles — have been halted at many Chinese ports. Additionally, exports of other strategically important minerals have been stopped. Reports indicate that China is working on implementing an export licensing system to ensure these resources do not reach the U.S., even through third-party parallel imports.

As a global monopolist in many categories of rare earth metals and magnets, China’s move could have far-reaching consequences. Theoretically, even the U.S. defense industry — and certainly its space program — could face significant disruptions without access to these critical materials.

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Argentina's Economic "Successes" Under Javier Milei

Milei borrowed $20 billion from the IMF for 4 years to "maintain Argentina's economic stability." In return, the IMF demanded reforms similar to Ukraine's - with increased tariffs and taxes.

Upon taking office, Milei promised to reduce Argentina's debt, abolish the central bank, and eliminate the peso. Instead:
- He's accumulating more debt through the central bank
- Failed to abolish the peso
- Moved gold reserves to unknown location

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European Court of Auditors Finds EU Paid €7.5 Billion Without Proper Oversight

Between 2021-2023, the EU disbursed €7.5 billion to NGOs and media outlets without requiring receipts or expenditure reports.

Ursula von der Leyen still the remains European Comission head...

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WSJ: South Asian Businesses Rely Heavily on Astrologers for Operations Planning

Even India's wealthiest man, Mukesh Ambani, consults astrologers to determine:
- Office locations
- Power plant placements
- Optimal business launch dates

Extreme cases show entrepreneurs:
• Absorbing financial losses on astrological advice
• One businessman relocated entire operations due to "unfavorable" location

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Chinese Mock US VP after "Peasants" Remark

For context:
Zero iPad production plants exist in the US.
95% of Apple's supply chain remains China-dependent.

The Situation Beyond the Hysteria and Market Swings

In admin's opinion, that you may not share
1. Trump demonstratively imposed tariffs on the entire world, adopting a "I’m crazy, fear me!" strategy — a calculated move to appear unpredictable.
2. Privately, Trump understood that the U.S. had sufficient stockpiles of goods, meaning the tariffs wouldn’t immediately impact inflation at home — leaving a one-to-two-month buffer, aside from market volatility.
3. Some countries rushed to negotiate deals with the U.S., while others began questioning whether it was better to align with Washington or Beijing.
4. Trump froze tariffs for everyone except China, making it clear to other nations that negotiating with the U.S. might be the easier path.

In essence, the global stage now features only two dancers: the U.S. and China, the latter being the original target of this entire maneuver. Trump’s gambit aimed to pull as many allies toward the U.S. under the guise of "China refused to discuss tariffs — look how unreasonable they are."

Whether it will work remains to be seen in the coming months. Trump is attempting to isolate China, but success is not guaranteed.

Meanwhile, NASDAQ surges nearly 10% — its fifth-largest single-day gain in history.

Another reminder that during such moments, caution on the markets is key; swings can come from any direction.

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Now Trump pauses tariffs for everyone but China...

Tariffs, retaliatory tariffs, retaliatory tariffs on retaliatory tariffs, now what? Retaliatory tariffs on retaliatory tariffs on retaliatory tariffs? Square, cubic, 4-dimensional tarrifs?

EU Seeks to Ditch American Visa and Mastercard

European Central Bank President Lagarde has stated that it’s time to move away from systems like Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, and Alipay, calling for greater European control over financial infrastructure.

A sensible idea — but somewhat ironic, given the current state of EU-U.S. tensions.

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Trump’s New Tariffs to Increase Price of "Make America Great Again" Caps

An unexpected consequence of Donald Trump’s latest tariffs: the iconic "Make America Great Again" caps will now see a price hike of at least 34% — all of them are made in China.

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EU Countries Discuss Creation of Joint Governmental Defense Fund

The European Commission is proposing the establishment of a joint intergovernmental defense fund called the *European Defence Mechanism (EDM)*. This fund would purchase military equipment, charge member countries for its use, and issue loans. Non-EU countries such as the UK, Ukraine, and Norway could also join as members.

Analysts suggest the EDM focus on "strategic assistance tools"—expensive military infrastructure and equipment currently provided primarily by the U.S., including joint command systems, satellite reconnaissance, and communication networks. Other potential areas include the development of next-generation fighter jets, air defense systems, and even nuclear deterrence capabilities.

To boost Europe’s domestic defense industry, the EDM would prioritize purchasing equipment from contractors within member states. However, the challenge remains: establishing large-scale production, which has been elusive for several years.

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U.S. Deploys Warships to Panama for "Liberation from Chinese Influence"

The Pentagon, led by Secretary Pete Hegset, has announced the deployment of an undisclosed number of U.S. warships to monitor and secure the Panama Canal, citing concerns over Chinese influence in the region.

Simultaneously, the U.S. plans to “review” docking fees and tariffs for Chinese vessels at American ports. In parallel, potential military pressure on Iran has also been confirmed.

Markets are expected to experience significant volatility in the coming days as tensions escalate globally.

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The Hero of Yesterday: A Fake X Account Named "Walter Bloomberg"

In the midst of yesterday’s panic, a fake X account with the username "Walter Bloomberg" posted false news claiming that Trump had delayed tariffs by 90 days. The story was quickly picked up by major outlets like CNBC and Reuters, causing the entire U.S. market to surge by 6%, adding $2 trillion in value.

The White House later debunked the report, and all media outlets issued corrections. While the market dropped back down, it didn’t fall as sharply as initially anticipated.

It’s possible that an ordinary person with a fake account may have single-handedly prevented a full-blown Black Monday. A hero we deserve, indeed.

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U.S. Raises Import Tariffs on Chinese Goods to 104%

The White House has announced that import tariffs on Chinese goods have been increased to 104%, according to Fox News.

Previously, Trump threatened that if China were to invade Taiwan, it would face 100% tariffs. Technically speaking, if China were to invade Taiwan overnight, its tariffs could effectively decrease by 4%.

Irony at its finest.

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Germany Awaits Recession for the Third Consecutive Year

Germany, the EU country with the largest trade surplus with the U.S. at €70 billion, is bracing for a significant impact from tariffs. No other nation has been hit harder — industrial production is projected to drop by 15%.

This decline comes on top of already reduced output following the voluntary abandonment of affordable Russian energy resources.

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World trade war now be like

In France trading has been halted for banks after 10% drop.
Germany -10%, Italy -9%, Spain -7%.
China, Japan, Australia, Singapore suspended trading amid sharp declines.
Nasdaq -5.4%, S&P 500 -3.84% (worst 3-day drop since Black Monday 1987).
Oil below $64 (first time since spring 2021).
Bitcoin under $75,000.

📉 Markets opening today. Everything goes straight to hell.

Germany Plans to Withdraw 1,200 Tons of Gold from New York Vaults — reports

As a response to Trump’s trade tariffs, Germany intends to repatriate approximately €113 billion worth of gold reserves currently stored in New York. It’ll be ironic if the U.S. refuses to return the gold…

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Russia Outproduces NATO in Military Equipment (2022-2024)

The British Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) has reported that despite NATO's efforts to boost military production, Russia outpaced the *entire alliance* across all categories—from ammunition to heavy weaponry. Analysts highlight Russia’s effective mobilization of its defense industry, supply chain management, political will, and targeted investments.

Notably, the study concludes that every dollar spent by Russia was utilized far more efficiently than by the EU, the U.S., or other NATO members.

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Trump's Tariffs, Day 2: The Situation

- Argentina announces it may soon become the first country to secure zero tariffs from the U.S., as negotiations continue.
- Japan’s Nikkei index falls for the second consecutive day—Japanese markets are down 11%.
- Nissan will halt sales of two Infiniti SUV models in the U.S. market due to tariff impacts.
- The combined wealth of the world’s 500 richest people dropped by $208 billion in a single day.
- Trump claims all countries have reached out for tariff negotiations.
- Politico reports that U.S.-made weapons could become more expensive due to reliance on overseas production facilities.
- The U.S. stock market volatility index remains below 30, indicating no widespread panic despite sell-offs.
- The index of the planet’s seven largest corporations has fallen 30% from its December peak.

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Polish Agriculture Ministry Seeks Control of Odessa Port and 500,000 Hectares of Ukrainian Land

Poland’s Agriculture Minister, Kłodziejczak, has expressed interest in "leasing" or purchasing part of the Odessa port to provide Polish farmers with access to the Black Sea. Additionally, the minister suggested that allocating 500,000 hectares of Ukrainian land for Polish agriculture could significantly benefit Poland, offering it for livestock farming.

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China Implements 34% Retaliatory Tariffs on All U.S. Products

China has unveiled its response to U.S. tariffs, effective April 10:

1️⃣ A 34% tariff on all U.S. products.
2️⃣ Eleven American corporations added to the unreliable entities list.
3️⃣ Export restrictions on certain rare earth metal-related goods.
4️⃣ Enhanced export controls to prevent rare earth metals from reaching the U.S.
5️⃣ Export controls on medical equipment.
6️⃣ Export qualifications suspended for 16 U.S. corporations.
7️⃣ Imports of meat and poultry from two American companies halted.

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Powell (Fed): Progress Toward 2% Inflation Target Has Slowed

Tariffs will likely cause a temporary spike in prices.
Prices aren’t coming down anytime soon. People know they’re paying more—and they have every right not to like it.
The Fed has no official recession probability forecast, but external projections now suggest a higher likelihood of one.

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Moscow Ranks Second Worldwide in Number of Billionaires

Moscow has climbed to second place globally for the number of billionaires, trailing only New York. Over the past year, the Russian capital jumped from sixth position in the rankings, with the number of billionaires reaching a total of 74. New York remains the top destination for the world’s richest individuals, hosting 110 billionaires with a combined net worth of $694 billion.

Moscow ties with Hong Kong for second place, each city boasting 74 billionaires. However, Moscow's billionaires collectively hold $378 billion in wealth compared to Hong Kong’s $326 billion. Notably, Hong Kong added four billionaires this year, while Moscow saw an impressive increase of 12.

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Black Friday (read the irony) for US and World banking markets.

Bild: Trump’s Tariffs Spell Economic Catastrophe for Germany

The Cologne Institute for German Economics has calculated that the current tariffs could cost Germany €200 billion over four years. By 2028, Germany's GDP may drop by an additional 1.5%, while the EU as a whole could lose up to 20% of its jobs.

German analysts estimate the total damage to the EU at €750 billion, highlighting the severe economic impact of Trump’s trade policies on Europe.

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Tariffs Aren’t Just for Trump — They’re for the U.S. Economy

Just recently, Michael Bloomberg published an article warning of an impending fiscal apocalypse in the U.S.: currently, the federal government spends $7 trillion annually while collecting only $5 trillion in taxes. The budget deficit stands at 6% of GDP and keeps compounding exponentially due to the refinancing of old debts. As a result, the U.S. national debt is set to exceed 100% of GDP this year.

But how did this happen so quickly under Trump? Could he have messed things up this badly already?

Of course not. The real culprit lies with the Democrats, who loaded the chair for Trump with a ticking bomb through Joe Biden's administration. In his final year, Biden splurged on spending, pre-paid Ukraine’s military needs until 2027, and indulged in lavish expenditures without restraint. However, since these same globalists control most media outlets, no one will be reminded of this — Trump will take all the blame.

His options:

1. Devalue the dollar: This would make repaying the national debt easier but jeopardize the dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency.
2. Magically find a few trillions in his winter coat pocket to eliminate the budget deficit.

Trump chose option 2. Elon Musk is furiously digging for cost-cutting measures, while Trump imposes tariffs on nearly every country to raise funds. There are downsides to this approach — higher inflation, disgruntled allies and adversaries alike, relentless media attacks, and some very unflattering GDP growth numbers.

Still, slightly weakening the dollar might not be such a bad idea after all — and that seems to be happening as a side effect. We’ll see where this leads, though it’s clear that even unintended consequences can sometimes align with broader strategic goals.

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EU Believes It Can Outmuscle Trump

Donald Trump will back down under pressure from Germany and Europe amid the escalating trade war, stated German Economy Minister Robert Habeck. EU officials confirmed that member states will vote on April 9 to approve countermeasures against U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum.

🤡 It seems the EU is confident because it actively produces steel and aluminum domestically, lol.

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Porsche Prepares to Reenter the Tank and Arms Business

Following a net loss of €20 billion last year, Porsche is exploring options to enter the lucrative arms industry, taking cues from Volkswagen’s experience in defense manufacturing.

This marks a return to Porsche’s roots: the company last produced military equipment in the 1960s during the development and initial production of the Leopard 1 tanks.

As the automotive market faces challenges, Porsche’s leadership sees potential in diversifying into defense—a sector with stable demand and high profit margins.

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Russia Sees Inflow of "Cowboy Money"

The Russian Ministry of Finance has coined the term "cowboy money" to describe funds from hedge funds willing to take sanction-related risks for profit. It is reported that Western funds are channeling small amounts through friendly jurisdictions and investing in Russian government bonds (OFZ) and the ruble, indirectly visible in the price dynamics of these assets.

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How to Hide Trillions? Just Turn Off the Website

It seems the White House has decided to play hide-and-seek—with transparency. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) quietly removed its website that provided data on the allocation of federal funds, which by law should be accessible to anyone curious about where taxpayer dollars are spent. Now, attempting to access the site results in a familiar "Page Not Found."

Why? Sources claim the information posted there could have been premature—or even potentially hazardous to national security. Either they fear someone might learn too much, or simply no one is meant to know anything at all. Yet this isn’t about secret intelligence but already-approved decisions mandated under the 2022 law, which clearly stated: publish, and do so swiftly—within two days of approval.

OMB argues lawmakers will still get access to the data if needed. However, the public isn’t entitled to such luxuries—what if the wrong people start asking questions about how billions are distributed?

The backlash has been swift. Advocacy groups for government transparency are sharpening their legal knives. The Project on Government Oversight labeled OMB’s actions not just opaque, but illegal, arguing that hiding data undermines executive accountability. Even Congress is puzzled—if information is classified, it wouldn’t be publicly available anyway. Everything else, they insist, must be disclosed.

The push for transparency didn’t come out of nowhere: in 2022, amid massive aid packages to Ukraine and multi-billion-dollar spending, lawmakers decided enough was enough with “trust but don’t verify.” They mandated OMB not only manage funds but also ensure maximum visibility.

Now, it’s a step backward. The portal is closed, and openness says goodbye. This isn’t just bureaucratic oversight—it’s political concern. In an economy where every tax dollar counts, peeking into the state's wallet isn’t a privilege but a duty. And when that opportunity is shuttered, one question remains: what exactly don’t they want us to see? Critics argue that under the cloak of darkness, Trump might slash programs serving Americans while awarding contracts to companies tied to Elon Musk (e.g., the $40 million DOGE support), or worse.

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Pre-market now

This is how you wipe off 2 trillion dollars in just 30 minutes.

And it's still hell overpriced...

China Issues First Flying Taxi Licenses

EHang Holdings and Hefei Hey Airlines have become the first companies to receive official approval for air taxi operations in China.

Key details:
- Both companies now possess all required regulatory permits
- Commercial operations expected to begin by 2025
- Market projected to reach $300 billion valuation by 2026

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Mercedes Plans to Stop Delivering Cars to US Due to Trump's Tariffs

Mercedes is preparing to discontinue budget models that make US deliveries unprofitable.

The company is considering cutting entry-level models like the GLA SUV as part of broader contingency plans.

No final decision has been made - much depends on how tariffs are implemented.

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Google intentionally worsens search to show more ads

The architect of this strategy is Prabhakar Raghavan, formerly of Yahoo. In 2019, he faced stagnating search query growth.

Key changes implemented:
- Reduced user convenience
- Scaled back anti-spam measures
- Made ads less distinguishable
Result: Users spend more time searching, artificially boosting Google's metrics.

For this "achievement", Raghavan was promoted to Google's Chief Technology Officer in 2024.

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⚡️IRAN TO STRIKE US BASE? @RTnews

We recommend following RT HERE as they report key developments amid US-Iran tensions and Trump’s threat to bomb Tehran

Follow for latest on Telegram AND X (Twitter)

Russia Successfully Circumvents Biden's Sanctions

Oil exports have surged dramatically. In March, 39 tankers departed from Pacific ports—32 more than in February.

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Crypto millioner becomes sponsor and commander of new SpaceX mission

The space mission Fram2, launched on March 31 aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft, became the first in SpaceX history to be financed by a crypto millionaire. Its organizer and commander is Chun Wan - co-founder of the F2Pool mining pool and Stakefish crypto service.

Chun started working with Bitcoin back in 2011. Today F2Pool accounts for over 10% of Bitcoin's global hash rate - making it the world's third largest mining pool. Crypto business income allowed the entrepreneur to fulfill his long-held dream of spaceflight.

The entrepreneur is known for his passion for travel: his X profile states he has visited 135 of 249 countries. He called the Fram2 flight the "thousandth" in his life.

The mission will last three to five days. From an altitude of 435 km, Crew Dragon will orbit Earth along a unique trajectory over the poles. The crew will conduct 22 scientific experiments to study space and human health in microgravity conditions.

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Chinese BYD Builds Giant Factory-City Spanning 130 Square Kilometers - Larger Than Barcelona, Paris and San Francisco 

The complex will house 100,000 employees and their families, featuring residential buildings, schools, kindergartens, shopping centers and stadiums. The new facility will produce over 1 million electric vehicles annually. 

BYD surpassed Tesla in 2024 to become the world's top electric vehicle brand. 

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First to go: Vietnam Reduces Tariffs on U.S.

Vietnam has announced cuts to import duties on a range of American goods to avoid potential U.S. sanctions.

Key tariff reductions:
- LNG: 5% → 2%
- Automobiles: 45-64% → 32%
- Ethanol: 10% → 5%
- Other U.S. goods: Chicken, almonds, apples, cherries, and timber will also see lower tariffs

The new rates take effect within a month.

Additionally, Vietnam authorized SpaceX to begin testing its Starlink satellite internet service—a move seen as improving relations with the Trump administration.

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Russia to Demand Investments as Guarantee for Returning Western Companies

According to the Washington Post, Russia will require Western companies re-entering the country to make significant investments as a guarantee. These demands go beyond financial assets, mandating real investments directly into the national economy.

The move aims to ensure that, should these companies leave again in the future, Russia would suffer no losses, with corporations preemptively compensating for any potential consequences.

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Der Spiegel: Amid Trade War with Trump, Europe Considers Boosting Russian Gas Imports

Europe, which voluntarily ceased purchasing Russian gas, has now found itself dependent on the U.S.—a situation unprecedented in history. However, the American monopoly is squeezing Europe, imposing tariffs and issuing threats. As a result, according to Der Spiegel, the EU, caught between two fires, may reconsider large-scale gas imports from Russia, potentially through the revived Nord Stream pipelines.

The multiverse has collapsed.

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How Lithuania Steals

Lithuania has decided not to transfer confiscated fire trucks and milk tankers intended for Zimbabwe and Cuba to Ukraine, opting instead to sell the equipment for profit.

In September 2024, Lithuania seized 17 fire trucks and 17 milk tankers destined as humanitarian aid for Russia, Belarus, Zimbabwe, and Cuba. The impoverished recipient nations protested, urging Lithuania to release the critical supplies, which are vital to saving lives. Initially, Lithuania pledged to send the vehicles to Ukraine.

However, greed prevailed, and the country has now put the equipment up for auction, modestly adding that they "hope buyers will pass the vehicles on to Ukraine."

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Ukrainian Bonds Plummet Amid Ceasefire Deal Uncertainty

Ukraine’s dollar-denominated bonds have seen the worst performance in emerging market bond indices, driven by growing risks surrounding the ceasefire negotiations. Investors note that even if an agreement is reached, Ukraine is unlikely to receive large-scale U.S.-backed reconstruction investments under the new American policy. For now, discussions focus solely on Ukraine repaying its existing aid from the U.S.

Bloomberg analysts tactfully omit the fact that Ukraine has no intention of honoring these bonds—evidenced by the default in August 2024 when payments were refused. Rating agencies turned a blind eye to this development, but purchasers of Ukrainian bonds might as well be recipients of the Darwin Award.

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🤡 EU Prepares to Negotiate Tariffs with the U.S. from a Position of Strength

The European Union plans to approach negotiations with the U.S. over tariffs by leveraging the size of its market and technological advancements.

The EU has drafted a plan for harsh countermeasures in response to U.S. tariffs but does not intend to implement them immediately, instead hoping for a diplomatic resolution, according to Ursula von der Leyen.

LOL

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Macron Believes Euro Should Overtake Dollar as World’s Reserve Currency

Emmanuel Macron has stated that the euro could and should replace the dollar as the world's primary reserve currency. "Ultimately, if we position ourselves as more competitive, the euro as a reserve currency will only grow stronger," he said.

Yet the competitiveness of the EU remains questionable—its GDP grew by just 0.9% last year. Germany is in recession with industrial output declining for five consecutive years, while France is witnessing record numbers of business bankruptcies.

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U.S. and Russia Begin Talks on Joint Rare Earth Metal Mining in Russia

The United States and Russia have initiated discussions about collaborating on the extraction of rare earth metals within Russia. Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), revealed that several U.S. companies have expressed interest in participating in joint ventures to develop mining projects.

According to NBC, Russia has proposed an agreement granting the U.S. partial ownership rights to rare earth metals and other valuable minerals in its new regions. Sources indicate that Moscow’s proposal includes offering the U.S. access to mineral resources in Donbass and Zaporozhye.

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Boris Johnson Urges Europe to Cut Social Spending in Favor of Military Investment

The former UK prime minister has called on European nations to reduce social expenditures and increase defense spending, aligning more closely with the U.S. model.

- American workers take far fewer vacations compared to their European counterparts: 10–15 days per year in the U.S. versus 30 days in the EU.
- Americans lack many social protections, such as paid sick leave, enjoyed by citizens in countries like Britain.
- Many Americans resent footing a larger bill for Europe’s defense while Europeans, in Johnson’s view, act as "freeloaders."

Johnson believes Europe cannot create an alternative to NATO without U.S. involvement but argues that adopting this new approach would strengthen the alliance.

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Chinese Exporters Turn to Russia as an Alternative to the U.S.

According to the Wall Street Journal, a session focused on selling goods to Russia became one of the most popular at the International Commerce Fair in Shenzhen. Hundreds of Chinese business representatives, previously oriented toward the U.S. market, crowded into the session.

Amid Donald Trump’s tariffs, the WSJ reports that a significant portion of Chinese businessmen are planning to pivot their operations toward Russia.

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EU Plans to Reduce Ukrainian Agricultural Imports Starting This Summer

The European Union intends to decrease its purchases of Ukrainian agricultural products starting this summer. The zero-tariff trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU, introduced in 2022, is set to expire on June 5, and according to AFP, citing an EU commissioner, it is unlikely to be extended. With tensions already high due to domestic market issues and previous rounds of farmer protests, the bloc aims to redirect funds toward supporting its own agricultural production instead.

For Ukraine, agricultural exports remain one of the few positive contributors to its budget, making this development particularly concerning as the country faces uncertainty over its economic support from Europe.

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China Blocks $23 Billion BlackRock Acquisition of Panamanian Ports

China has intervened to halt the $23 billion sale of Panama canal ports to BlackRock, as they play a critical role in global trade and China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

The blockage adds another layer of complexity to Sino-U.S. relations, further complicating negotiations on other fronts, such as technology exports and investments.

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European Stocks Plummet Following Arrest of Marine Le Pen

Investors have not welcomed France's transformation into a "banana republic" with the imprisonment of political opponents.

Officials are gradually speaking out—Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has already accused Macron: "Those who fear the decisions of voters resort to court rulings, as we recently saw in Romania."

Money officially makes people happy - study

A China-US research team published a longitudinal study tracking real people over time, not just using statistics. Findings show a direct link between income and happiness, growing stronger recently. People whose incomes dropped due to the pandemic and globalization immediately showed less happiness. Researchers conclude governments wanting happy citizens must prioritize financial wellbeing.

Send the admin some happiness.

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Germany Demolishes State-of-the-Art Coal Power Plant After Just 6 Years of Operation

The Moorburg power plant in Hamburg, which cost €3 billion and had a capacity of 1,654 MW (enough to power the entire city), has been destroyed.

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⚡️RUSSIA RESPONDS TO WESTERN ‘PEACEKEEPERS’ IN UKRAINE @RTnews

We recommend following official RT Telegram channel HERE as Moscow officially warns of DIRECT Russia-NATO confrontation if Western ‘peacekeepers’ arrive in Ukraine

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Mercedes offers employees money for voluntary resignation

Over the past year, the automaker's shares have fallen by 20% - Mercedes has faced declining sales in China and the EU and decided to reduce staff.

Now, employees are being offered to resign voluntarily with severance pay. A 30-year-old employee earning 6 thousand euros would receive 100 thousand euros for resigning, a 45-year-old - 300 thousand euros, and a 55-year-old department head with 30 years of service and a salary of 9 thousand euros would get 500 thousand for voluntary resignation.

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Indonesian Rupiah Crashes to Lowest Since 1998 Asian Financial Crisis 

The currency plunged as investors flee over President Prabowo Subianto's controversial reforms: 
- Plans to dismantle economic safeguards.
- Military expansion into civilian governance.
- Eroding investor confidence. 

The rupiah lost 80% during 1998's crisis. Analysts warn history may repeat. 

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Turkey’s Sophisticated Game With Russia.

Erdogan made a sharp pivot, formally apologizing to Putin in 2016—a calculated move that helped de-escalate tensions and led to the lifting of Russian economic sanctions.

Ankara had nonetheless made its stance unmistakable—cross the line again, and the response would be just as swift. Putin understood that accepting Erdogan’s apology was a smarter move than cornering Turkey, which could have complicated Russia’s military operations in Syria and strained a relationship Moscow couldn’t afford to lose.

It is following this logic that Turkey’s approach to Ukraine is driven by a set of carefully calculated strategic considerations.

Just as Ankara has long maneuvered to check Russian influence in its immediate neighborhood, it views Ukraine as a critical piece in this broader balancing act.

Preventing Russian dominance in the Black Sea remains a top priority, as a strong Ukraine serves as a counterweight to Russian expansion. This would help preserve Turkey’s strategic leverage in the region and, by extension, NATO’s.

Strengthening its military-industrial base is another core objective, with deeper defense and economic ties to Kyiv enhancing Turkey’s military autonomy and technological capabilities. 

At the same time, Ankara has positioned itself as a key mediator, maintaining open channels with both Kyiv and Moscow to maximize its regional influence while preserving strategic flexibility.

Beyond these immediate concerns, Turkey also sees the war as an opportunity to expand its energy security by diversifying supply routes and reducing dependence on Russia, particularly by deepening ties with alternative suppliers in the Caucasus and Central Asia.

#Turkey #Erdogan #Russia

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Global Central Banks Continue to Ditch the Dollar – Gold Takes Its Place

Data shows that after 2014 and the first sanctions against Russia, central banks quietly began reducing dollar holdings in favor of gold. Post-2022, this shift accelerated dramatically—gold now surpasses both the dollar and euro in central bank reserves worldwide.

- 2014-2021: Gradual move away from USD after the first sanctions on Russia.
- 2022-Present: Historic gold accumulation as Western asset freezes prove any currency can be weaponized .
- Current Status: Gold holdings exceed USD+EUR in many emerging market reserves.

The de-dollarization trend is now institutionalized—even allies diversify when they see reserve currencies becoming political tools.

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China Seeks to Shape Global Expansion of Chinese Manufacturers Through "Industrial Diplomacy"

Beijing is encouraging Chinese companies to build plants in "friendly" countries while discouraging investments in others, in a form of "industrial diplomacy." Developed nations and the Global South are eagerly awaiting Chinese factories on their markets, which would create new jobs and transfer technologies. Given the appeal of Chinese manufacturing investments, Beijing can use them as a geopolitical tool to reward some countries and punish others.

The construction of new plants by BYD—the world’s largest electric vehicle producer—highlights the countries China deems both friendly and investment-attractive. These include Brazil, Thailand, Mexico, Turkey, Hungary, and Indonesia.

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Financial Times: Ukraine Begs for Extension of EU Duty-Free Trade Agreement

Ukraine is urging the European Union to extend its duty-free trade agreement, set to expire on June 5. In 2022, the EU introduced a zero-tariff regime for all Ukrainian goods to support the country’s economy. This move sparked large-scale protests among EU farmers, who argued they were unfairly taxed while competing against cheaper, untaxed Ukrainian products. Despite public discontent, the protests were suppressed, and the duty-free status was extended until June 5, 2025.

At the time, EU officials sold this extension as a "final push before Russia's collapse," assuring citizens there would be no further privileges for Ukraine. Now, Ukraine warns that ending the duty-free trade could devastate its economy. Countries like Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, and Bulgaria are strongly opposed to renewing the preferential terms.

Separately, the Financial Times reports that Ukraine fears the duty-free regime will be terminated outright if peace negotiations progress, potentially spelling disaster for its economy.

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China Criticizes Billion-Dollar Infrastructure Deal Between Hutchison and BlackRock

Beijing has expressed disapproval of the decision by Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison, closely tied to British elites, to sell its stakes in Panamanian ports to a consortium backed by global asset manager BlackRock. This move escalates tensions surrounding the potential sale of TikTok, owned by China’s ByteDance, in the U.S., signaling Beijing’s intention to tighten control over transactions involving American investors.

Previously endorsed by Trump, who framed the deal as a "return" of the canal under indirect U.S. control, this transaction drew sharp criticism from China, which condemned it as a betrayal of national interests and initiated an official investigation. According to the Wall Street Journal, President Xi Jinping was personally irritated that Hutchison failed to coordinate the deal with Beijing, which had planned to leverage the ports as a bargaining chip in negotiations with Washington.

Meanwhile, tensions over TikTok intensify: the app risks being shut down in the U.S. by April unless ByteDance sells it to American buyers. The White House is ramping up pressure, with U.S. Vice President Jay Dee Vance directly overseeing the TikTok sale — an unprecedented level of state intervention in private business. China’s response to the Hutchison deal reflects a broader strategy of countering U.S. economic moves amid the trade war. Analysts suggest Beijing aims to project strength while avoiding perceived weakness domestically, likely leading to stricter policies on similar deals in the future. TikTok’s fate in the U.S. may ultimately hinge on whether China sees an opportunity for a trade agreement with the Trump administration.

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China Reevaluates Its Commitment to Electric Vehicles

In recent years, China has been a driving force behind the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), promoting cleaner transportation. However, recent developments indicate a shift in strategy, with greater emphasis on hybrid technologies and internal combustion engines.

Chinese cities like Hangzhou are now home to "graveyards" of electric vehicles—massive parking lots filled with hundreds of abandoned cars. Many of these vehicles were part of car-sharing services that went bankrupt due to market oversaturation and insufficient demand.

Generous government subsidies once fueled the rapid production of EVs, but their reduction in 2019 led to the collapse of numerous manufacturers and car-sharing operators, leaving thousands of unused vehicles behind.

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🔺 Exclusive interviews, analyses and expert insights;
🔺 Podcasts, videos with English subtitles, and simple explanations of key issues.

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Rat Incident Causes Sharp Drop in Shares of Japanese Restaurant Chain Zensho Holdings

Shares of Zensho Holdings, a major Japanese restaurant chain, plummeted by 7.1% after a customer discovered a dead rat in their miso soup at one of the company's establishments. Prior to this incident, the company’s shares had risen by 25% over the past year.

The event has sparked significant concern among investors, highlighting sanitation and safety issues that could impact the company’s reputation and financial performance.

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Trump says the rare metals deal with Ukraine is ready and will be signed shortly.

India’s Foreign Ministry: The Dollar Is a Source of Global Economic Stability

India has "absolutely no interest" in undermining the dollar’s status and sees it as a pillar of global stability, stated Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar during his UK visit. The remarks, reported by South China Morning Post (part-owned by China’s Alibaba), highlight divisions within BRICS about dollar alternatives.

Trump has threatened 200% tariffs on BRICS goods if they abandon the dollar, though no member has officially proposed this. Russia and China’s shift to local currencies is a sanctions-driven necessity, not ideological. Meanwhile, China keeps using dollars for trade but dumps US bonds — a quiet challenge to dollar dominance.

Trump pushes to revive US-Russia trade (e.g., rare earth metals) while threatening penalties for dollar avoidance caused by… US sanctions.

Threats won’t stop the dollar’s slow decline. Even allies like India won’t prop it up forever.

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US Declassifies Documents on JFK Assassination Case — Most Reveal CIA Crimes

- The CIA poisoned Cuban sugar exported to the USSR.
- The CIA poisoned cows in East Germany to undermine agriculture.
- The CIA funded protests in Hungary in 1956, during the suppression of which 3,000 people died.
- The CIA added soap to infant milk in East Germany.
- The CIA actively collaborated with former Nazis in intelligence missions in East Germany.

Literally everything the "evil communists" ever claimed turned out to be true. All "democratic protests" have been CIA-funded since time immemorial. The agency also violated every conceivable and inconceivable convention — even poisoning children.

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European Oil Companies Scale Back on Green Energy Initiatives

Major European oil companies are slowing down investments in renewable energy projects, citing the need to maintain financial stability amid economic uncertainty.

Equinor has abandoned its pledge to allocate over 50% of its gross capital spending on renewables, while Shell announced plans to halt new investments in offshore wind energy.

At the same time, these corporations are expanding their oil and gas extraction assets, including exploring new fields in Latin America and West Africa. This shift has drawn criticism from environmental groups, but company leadership is prioritizing shareholder interests, who favor profitability over investment in alternative energy sources.

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India Cracks Down on George Soros Funds Amid U.S. Republican Leadership

Indian financial intelligence agents have raided the offices of the Soros Fund in Bengaluru, officially to investigate alleged financial wrongdoing. In reality, the move targets the operations of "open society" initiatives that funded local NGOs in violation of Indian laws. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has also demanded a detailed report from the U.S. on all USAID projects over the past decade. Washington, however, claims it cannot disclose such information as it would "threaten U.S. national interests."

This crackdown coincides with the shift in power in the U.S., highlighting India's growing assertiveness against foreign influence operations.

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