International
The European Union wants dialogue with the United States, but will respond firmly to “unjust” attacks
showed on Monday its willingness to a “robust” and “constructive” dialogue with the United States, but assured that it is prepared to “respond firmly” to any unjust or arbitrary attack.
“The EU is prepared for a solid but constructive dialogue with the United States, although we also recognize the possible challenges in the relationship with the US. USA and we are prepared so that, when we are attacked unfairly or arbitrarily, the EU will respond firmly,” said the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the end of an informal meeting of community leaders.
The Twenty-Seven met in Brussels to mainly address how to build a more autonomous defense policy and strengthen their military industrial base with more cooperation, but they spent much of the day talking about transatlantic relations.
The meeting took place after the President of the United States US, Donald Trump, decided to impose tariffs of 25% on Canada and Mexico and 10% on China, and to ensure that he would also apply taxes on the European Union.
Von der Leyen said at a press conference at the end of the meeting that the community leaders spoke, “first of all,” of the transatlantic partnership, which “remains our most important relationship” and is “fundamental to promote peace, security and prosperity.”
“And with the backdrop that we know there is a lot at stake, we have discussed ways to strengthen very pragmatic cooperation with the United States,” he commented, while recognizing that “it is evident that there are new challenges and growing uncertainties.”
German policy alluded to the fact that “this weekend we have witnessed the imposition of very high tariffs on Canada and Mexico,” and in that context he said that “those tariffs raise business costs, harm workers and consumers, create unnecessary economic disruptions and drive inflation.”
“We don’t see anything good coming out of all this, so we give priority to productive debates and commit early,” Von der Leyen said.
The president of the Commission also assured that the EU “stays firm in its multilateral commitments,” whether it is its development aid or our climate objectives, and assured that they are “fully aware that we have our own challenges to master.”
“We have to do our homework. So today it has also become very clear that we will focus on the competitiveness of the European Union,” as the Commission has exposed in its recently presented strategy known as the “Buss of Competitiveness”.
For his part, the President of the European Council, António Costa, assured that the United States “is our friend, our ally and our partner.”
“It is a relationship that has deep roots and will last over time; problems and differences of opinion can also arise between friends,” he said.
When those differences emerge, he said, he advocated “approaching them to talk and find solutions,” but “defending our values, maintaining our principles and without compromising our own interests.”
“Those universal values and principles are at the heart of the international order that we have built since World War II, together with the United States of America, national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders,” he concluded.
In addition, Von der Leyen announced on Monday to community leaders that she will study the possibility of relaxing the rules of the European Union (EU) on the control of public deficit and debt to allow an increase in defense spending.
“If you look at national budgets, they are constrained, until now through the new rules of the stability and growth pact. For extraordinary times, it is possible to have extraordinary measures also in the stability and growth pact, and I think we live in extraordinary times,” Von der Leyen said at the end of an informal summit of EU leaders.
International
Iranian leader warns foreign powers have “no place” in Strait of Hormuz
Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, said Thursday that the Persian Gulf is entering a new era marked by a “bright” future without the presence of the United States in the region.
His remarks came during the commemoration of Persian Gulf Day, amid ongoing regional tensions following recent military confrontations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.
“Today, two months after the largest military buildup and aggression by the bullies of the world in the region and the humiliating defeat of the United States, a new chapter is being written for the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz,” Khamenei stated.
The Iranian leader insisted that the future of the region would be free from American influence and focused instead on the internal development and prosperity of Gulf nations.
“By the power and strength of God, the bright future of the Persian Gulf region will be a future without the United States and dedicated to the progress, welfare, and prosperity of its nations,” he said.
Khamenei also questioned the effectiveness of U.S. military bases in the region, arguing that they do not provide security even for Washington’s allies.
“Foreigners who come from thousands of miles away and commit evil and malicious acts have no place there except at the bottom of its waters,” he declared.
In addition, the Iranian leader defended new measures being prepared by Tehran to regulate maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, including fees for vessels passing through the strategic waterway. According to Khamenei, the policies would generate economic benefits and greater stability for the region.
Regional tensions remain high following the conflict that erupted on February 28 between the United States and Israel against Iran, leading to strategic blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, a route through which nearly 20% of the world’s oil supply previously passed. The situation has disrupted maritime trade and contributed to rising global oil prices.
Central America
U.S. and Regional Allies Back Panama Amid Dispute With China
The United States, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Guyana, Paraguay and Trinidad and Tobago issued a joint statement in support of Panama’s sovereignty, arguing that China’s recent actions represent an attempt to politicize maritime trade and undermine the sovereignty of nations in the hemisphere.
“We are closely monitoring China’s selective economic pressure and recent actions affecting vessels flying the Panamanian flag,” the statement released Tuesday said. “Panama is a pillar of our maritime trading system and, as such, must remain free from undue external pressure.”
The statement comes amid growing tensions surrounding the Panama Canal and the operation of key ports linked to global trade.
At the end of January, Panama’s Supreme Court invalidated the legal framework supporting the 1997 concession that granted Panama Ports Company, a subsidiary of CK Hutchison, the right to operate the Balboa and Cristóbal terminals located on the Pacific and Atlantic entrances of the Panama Canal.
The ruling followed mounting pressure from the United States to curb Chinese influence around the strategic waterway, through which roughly 5% of global maritime trade passes.
CK Hutchison, which managed the ports for nearly three decades, rejected the court’s decision and accused Panamanian authorities of illegally confiscating its assets. The company has launched international arbitration proceedings against Panama, seeking more than $2 billion in damages.
Following the court ruling, reports emerged of increased detentions and inspections of Panamanian-flagged vessels in China, actions widely viewed as retaliatory measures.
On Wednesday, China’s Foreign Ministry dismissed the joint statement as “completely unfounded and misleading,” accusing the United States of politicizing port operations and warning that Beijing would take steps to protect its interests in Panama.
International
King Charles III Says U.S.-UK Alliance Is “Irreplaceable and Unbreakable”
King Charles III of the United Kingdom reaffirmed the strength of the British-American relationship on Tuesday during a speech before the United States Congress, describing the alliance between the two nations as “irreplaceable and unbreakable.”
The address, delivered at the Capitol, marked the first speech by a British monarch before Congress since Queen Elizabeth II in 1991 and comes at a time of political tensions between Donald Trump’s administration and the Labour government of Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship and identity between the United States and the United Kingdom is invaluable and eternal. It is irreplaceable and unbreakable,” the king said.
While reflecting on the upcoming 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, which will be commemorated this year, Charles III stated that the partnership between the two countries “was born out of disagreement, but is no less strong because of it.”
The monarch emphasized the democratic values shared by both nations and noted that major global changes have occurred whenever the two allies found common ground.
“When we have found that way to agree, great changes have taken place not only for the benefit of our peoples, but for all peoples,” he said.
King Charles also quoted British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently described the relationship as “an indispensable alliance.”
Concluding his speech, the monarch described the shared history of the United States and the United Kingdom as “a story of reconciliation, renewal, and an extraordinary partnership.”
He added that Washington and London have forged “one of the most consequential alliances in human history.”
“I pray with all my heart that our alliance continues to defend our shared values, together with our partners in Europe, the Commonwealth, and around the world, and that we ignore calls urging us to become increasingly isolationist,” Charles III stated.
The king ended by urging both nations to “recommit to one another in selfless service to our peoples and to all peoples of the world.”
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