Xi courts Vietnam. Chinese President Xi Jinping signed dozens of cooperation agreements on a visit to Vietnam yesterday. They included deals on supply chains and railways, though their content was not fully disclosed. Xi pitched Beijing as a stable partner against the backdrop of Trump’s “unilateralism and protectionism.” Vietnam is also trying to negotiate relief from 46 percent U.S. tariffs due to take effect after Trump’s ninety-day pause.
Reported Saudi financial aid for Syria. Saudi Arabia plans to pay off some $15 million in Syrian debt to the World Bank, three unnamed sources told Reuters. The debts have blocked the bank from issuing Syria new reconstruction finance. Syria’s finance minister met with a World Bank delegation yesterday, the country’s state media said. The bank, the Saudi government press office, and a Syrian government official did not immediately comment.
Green stock exchange. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved the application of a new stock exchange devoted to sustainable investing. It’s expected to begin trading in early 2026. Traders have pulled billions from funds focused on environmental and social goals in the past week of market instability, but the Green Impact Exchange’s founders say they expect investor interest due to the financial ramifications of climate change.
Displacement in Darfur. As Sudan’s war crosses into its third year today, up to four hundred thousand people were displaced from the Zamzam refugee camp during its takeover by paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the UN International Organization for Migration said. The RSF took control of the camp Sunday following four days of fighting that left hundreds dead. The RSF said the camp was being used as a base for groups aligned with the Sudanese army.
Lebanon-Syria security talks. The two governments agreed to cooperate economically and coordinate over security issues in Cairo yesterday. Last month, they saw deadly border clashes before reaching a cease-fire. Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam’s visit begins a phase of “restoration of trust,” Salam said. The leaders also discussed the case of Lebanese people who had gone missing in Syria in recent decades.
Japan’s prep for U.S. negotiations. Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru ordered an analysis of Japan’s non-tariff barriers to trade—such as car safety standards—ahead of U.S. trade talks this week, he told lawmakers. He said that Tokyo did not plan “big concessions for the sake of wrapping up negotiations quickly.” Japan’s economy minister said the country seeks a full removal of Trump’s additional tariffs through steps such as expanding Japan’s U.S. investment.
Ghana’s IMF program. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reached a preliminary decision to disburse $370 million to Ghana as part of an ongoing loan program. The instability in global financial markets in recent weeks has increased the price of paying off debt for developing countries, but the IMF said that Ghana’s reforms were on track. Accra reached its deal with the lender in 2022.
Trump’s tariff signaling. Trump said he was “looking at something to help some of the car companies” when discussing his 25 percent tariffs on auto imports yesterday. He said that car companies moving production to the United States would “need a little bit of time.” Separately, his administration announced probes into semiconductor and pharmaceutical sectors yesterday—a step toward potential duties. It kicked off a three week public comment period.
