 "This Week in Explainers: From Ukraine war to tariffs, how uncertainty grips the world")
Chaos. If there’s one word to describe the last few days that would be it. Uncertainty continues to grip the world and all fingers point to Donald Trump.
After the disastrous Oval Office spat that saw Potus and his Vice President JD Vance gang up against Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy, there was a breakdown in ties between the two nations. It prompted the US to cut military aid and intelligence support to Ukraine.
While European leaders are rallying behind Zelenskky – he visited the UK for the London summit and then attended the emergency EU summit in Brussels – the backing of the US is crucial. The Ukrainian president has attempted some damage control and a meeting with US officials is expected to take place in Saudi Arabia next week. It’s impossible to predict what happens next.
The spotlight was back on tariffs this week. After imposing 25 per cent levies on Canada and Mexico on Tuesday (March 4), Trump said he would spare carmakers. Now he has expanded the goods exempted from the tariffs for another month. The flip-flop has left businesses and the financial markets nervous.
Trump also gave his big speech to the US Congress, his first in the second term. “America is back,” he declared as he spoke of tax cuts and reciprocal tariffs (including on India), and outlined his policy agenda. He also spoke some half-truths… a norm with the American president’s addresses. We fact-checked them .
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBeyond Trump and politics, a shocking story from the UK grabbed headlines. A Chinese PhD student has been dubbed as one of Britain’s worst sexual predators. He has been convicted of drugging and raping 10 women but investigation reveals that there could be several other victims.
In the UAE, three Indians have been executed recently. Pakistan has been ranked as the second-most terrorism-affected country in the world.
We analyse the most pertinent headlines in our weekly roundup of stories from around the world.
1. When Zelenskyy was asked to leave the Oval Office last week after a showdown with Trump and Vance, he knew he would have to face consequences. The US president decided to pause all military aid to Ukraine. Days later, Washington also announced that it cut off intelligence sharing with the war-hit nation. What does this mean for Kyiv? Can it survive the war with Russia without the help of the US? Our explainers answer the questions.
2. The threat of a global trade war looms large. After imposing tariffs on Canada and Mexico, Trump has once again paused them . The president’s “on-again, off-again” strategy has only added to uncertainty among business, financial markets and allies. What’s going on? We try to make sense of it in this piece .
3. While the US has turned its back on Zelenskyy, he has found great support in Europe. Leading from the front is the UK. It has proposed the establishment of a European rearmament bank to strengthen the continent’s defence capabilities and support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. What is this “bomb bank” ? And can it protect Kyiv without US support?
4. Elon Musk is one of America’s most influential people. What he says matters. Recently, the Doge (department of government efficiency) leader supported a call for the US to withdraw from Nato and the UN. But can America take such a drastic step? What would it mean for the country and the world? Find out in one of our most-read explainers of the week .
Time to leave NATO
— Mike Lee (@BasedMikeLee) February 16, 2025
Let’s go!
Who else is with President Trump on this! https://t.co/tLkpWWaU5q
5. Golden visas are the talk of the town. With Trump announcing “gold cards”, the interest in residency-by-investment has only been piqued. If you are looking for a golden visa, Greece is the No 1 option. We tell you why .
6. In a shocking case, Britain uncovered its “worst rapist”. Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese PhD student, was found guilty of drugging and raping 10 women. However, an investigation revealed that he sexually assaulted 50 others. The 28-year-old who was described as charming by his dates, turned out to be a dreaded serial rapist .
7. Three Indians, who were on death row in the UAE, have been executed – Shahzadi Khan, Muhammed Rinash Arangilottu and Muraleedharan Perumthatta Valappil. Their deaths have put a spotlight on Indians facing execution in the Gulf nation. The number stands at 29. But why do migrants find themselves on the wrong side of the law? We explain .
That’s all from us this week. It’s an important time in geopolitics and if you want to keep up, you should bookmark this page .
PS: India plays New Zealand in the Champions Trophy finals today. As we cheer for Rohit Sharma & Co, you can follow the updates here .
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