AnewZ Morning Brief - April 10th, 2025

Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.

1. US pauses higher tariffs for most countries but hits China harder

President Donald Trump has announced a 90-day pause for countries hit by higher US tariffs but a trade war with China has escalated.

In a dramatic change of policy, just hours after levies against roughly 60 of America's trading partners kicked in, Trump said he was authorising a universal "lowered reciprocal tariff of 10%" as negotiations continued.

At the same time he increased tariffs on goods from China to 125%, accusing Beijing of a "lack of respect" after it retaliated by saying it would impose tariffs of 84% on US imports.

2. China announces 84% tariffs on US goods in showdown with Trump. Europe also hits back

China unveiled retaliatory tariffs of 84% on imports of US goods on Wednesday, matching additional tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump earlier in the day and further inflaming a trade war between the world’s two biggest economies.

Trump’s sweeping “reciprocal” tariffs took effect earlier on Wednesday. China was the hardest-hit nation, with a levy now totaling at least 104% on all its goods. The two countries have been involved in a game of tit-for-tat on trade, with Beijing standing firmly against each new tariff introduced by Washington.

The trade war widened further on Wednesday after the European Union announced it would begin collecting retaliatory duties on US imports starting Tuesday.

3. Explosion rocks police headquarters in Afghan city of Kandahar

Local broadcaster TOLO News cited Mahmood Azam, a spokesperson for the governor of Kandahar province, who did not provide details about the cause of the blast or possible casualties.

4. Germany: CDU/CSU and SPD announce coalition government deal

German conservatives under Friedrich Merz clinched a coalition deal with the centre-left Social Democrats (SPD) on Wednesday, aiming to revive growth in Europe's largest economy just as a global trade war threatens recession.

The deal caps weeks of haggling between chancellor-in-waiting Merz and the SPD after he topped elections in February but fell well short of a majority, with the far-right Alternative for Germany surging into second place.

5. Death toll nears 200 in Dominican Republic nightclub tragedy

A devastating roof collapse at a popular nightclub in the capital of the Dominican Republic has claimed at least 184 lives, authorities said late on Wednesday, as the search for survivors turned increasingly grim.

The nightclub collapsed on Tuesday and for two days families have gathered outside the wreckage of the Jet Set club in Santo Domingo, anxious for information about their missing relatives and sharing photos with police.

6.Türkiye talks with Israel about deconfliction in Syria when needed, foreign minister says

Türkiye has been holding technical talks with Israel for deconfliction in Syria when needed, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Wednesday.

Fidan's remarks came a week after Israel stepped up airstrikes on Syria, declaring the attacks a warning to the new government in Damascus as it accused Türkiye of trying to turn the country into a Turkish protectorate.

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