U.S. to implement higher tariffs starting August 1, Commerce Secretary says
The U.S. will begin applying increased tariff rates from August 1, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick....
According to government sources cited by Tokyo-based Kyodo News, Japan is exploring the acquisition of US military transport aircraft—believed to be C-17s—for its Self Defense Forces.
The proposal was mentioned by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba during a meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., on February 7, signaling a potential shift in Japan’s defense procurement strategy.
The initiative comes amid growing pressure from Washington for Japan to boost its defense spending, with Trump repeatedly urging NATO allies to allocate 5% of their gross domestic product for defense. Historically, Japan has maintained a defense budget of about 1% of GDP—approximately 5 trillion yen ($33.5 billion)—but recent security challenges from China and North Korea have spurred plans to increase spending toward a target of 2% of GDP by 2027.
Ishiba, a former defense minister and proponent of the C-17 aircraft due to its superior transport capacity compared to Japan’s domestically produced C-2 planes, indicated that purchasing these aircraft could help alleviate the pressure to raise defense spending. The proposed acquisition would involve secondhand C-17s, as Boeing ceased production of the aircraft in 2015.
The US welcomed the idea during the meeting, marking the first summit between President Trump and the Japanese leader since Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Observers suggest that such a procurement move could provide Japan with enhanced logistical capabilities while also addressing diplomatic concerns regarding increased defense expenditures.
As Japan navigates its evolving defense posture in response to regional security dynamics and external pressures, the potential purchase of US military transport aircraft represents a strategic measure to balance domestic spending with growing international expectations. Further details on the proposal and its implications for Japan’s Self Defense Forces are awaited.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
Following a deadly glacier collapse in Blatten, near the Swiss Alpine village of Kandersteg, the town is on high alert as melting permafrost and shifting rock threaten another potential disaster after it was buried a month ago.
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged Elon Musk to steer clear of politics and prioritise his companies, after the Tesla CEO announced the formation of a new political party in defiance of President Donald Trump.
TikTok is building a new version of its app for U.S. users ahead of a planned sale to American investors, The Information reported, as President Donald Trump prepares fresh talks with China over the platform’s future.
BRICS leaders meeting in Rio de Janeiro have condemned attacks on Iran, Gaza and Kashmir, while presenting the expanded bloc as a rising force for multilateralism in a world dominated by U.S.-led policies.
The U.S. will begin applying increased tariff rates from August 1, according to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick.
Israel’s Minister of Defense announced the launch of Operation Black Flag, with the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) carrying out strikes on multiple military targets belonging to the Houthi movement in Yemen.
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