News

Is the U.S. desperately trying to make China happier after trips to Taiwan?

Published

3 years ago

July 4, 2023

Another big-name U.S. official is heading to China. First, it was Secretary of State Antony Blinken a few weeks ago, now Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will be making the trip

U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen will be visiting Beijing from July 6-9 to meet with senior Chinese officials on a range of issues, including U.S. concerns over China’s counterespionage laws.

Her’s is the second trip of a high-ranking U.S. official in a matter of weeks, following Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip just weeks ago.

These two trips stand in contrast to the recent diplomatic norm where U.S. officials would be more likely to visit Taiwan, the self-proclaimed independent nation state off the coast of China.

Speaker of the house Kevin McCarthy visited the territory earlier this year, and his predecessor Nancy Pelosi did so in 2022.

Both visits brought strong condemnation from the Chinese government, and Blinken and Yellen’s trips may reflect a change in tactic by Washington to ease tensions between the two countries.

Tensions which have only grown in recent years, in no small part due to China’s stance on Taiwan, which China rejects its claims of independence, regarding it as a rebellious part of the larger country.

Business leaders such as Bill Gates and Elon Musk have also begun making the trip to China as well in recent months.

Bruce Wolpe of the U.S. Studies Centre said Yellen’s trip was part of President Biden’s push to stabilise relations between the two countries as he would not want to inadvertently escalate into a military conflict through poor communication.

He also said it would be a good opportunity for Yellen to gauge the strength of China’s economy, which has slowed ever since battling to contain the Covid-19 pandemic.

News

U.S. envoys head to Moscow as Ukraine peace talks accelerate

U.S. envoys to meet Putin, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine war diplomacy.

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Harvey Vargas

U.S. envoys to meet Putin, signaling a potential shift in Ukraine war diplomacy.

Senior U.S. envoys are preparing to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as diplomatic efforts around the war in Ukraine gather pace. The visit comes after Russia formally requested high-level talks, signalling a potential shift in momentum.

Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to travel to Moscow following months of behind-the-scenes discussions. The move underscores Washington’s willingness to engage directly as negotiations enter a more decisive phase.

With global attention fixed on the outcome, the meeting could shape the next chapter of the conflict — and determine whether diplomacy can finally overtake military escalation.

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#UkraineWar #RussiaUkraine #PeaceTalks #GlobalPolitics #USRussia #BreakingNews #Geopolitics #TickerNews

News

Trump drops tariff threat after Greenland framework deal

Trump announces Greenland deal, easing tariff threats amid trade tensions, boosting US markets and sparking Arctic diplomacy debate.

Published

3 hours ago

January 22, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Trump announces Greenland deal, easing tariff threats amid trade tensions, boosting US markets and sparking Arctic diplomacy debate.

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a framework deal involving Greenland, stepping back from earlier threats to impose tariffs on Europe. The shift comes after heightened global concern over trade tensions and geopolitical stability.

The announcement followed Trump’s appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos and discussions with NATO’s Secretary General.

Denmark’s Foreign Minister has since weighed in, responding to speculation surrounding Greenland’s future and the implications of US involvement.

Markets reacted positively, with US stocks rallying after Trump signalled he would abandon the tariff threats.

While Trump reiterated he would not use force to acquire Greenland, the move has sparked renewed debate about diplomacy, trade, and influence in the Arctic region.

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#DonaldTrump #Greenland #USTrade #Tariffs #GlobalMarkets #USPolitics #WorldNews #Ticker

News

Coalition cracks deepen as Nationals break ranks over Labor reforms

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

Published

1 day ago

January 21, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Nationals senators defy party lines, voting against Labor’s reforms as Coalition faces internal rifts and leadership concerns.

A rift has emerged in the Coalition after three Nationals senators crossed the floor to vote against Labor’s post-Bondi hate group reforms, defying party lines and raising questions about their future in the shadow cabinet.

Their proposed amendment calling for greater scrutiny was rejected, and Labor’s legislation passed the Senate 38 votes to 22, cementing the reforms into law despite opposition pushback.

Coalition leadership will meet Wednesday to assess the political fallout, though some MPs consider the issue minor in terms of potential resignations. The incident highlights growing tensions within the party as internal discipline comes under pressure.

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#AustralianPolitics #Coalition #Nationals #Labor #Senate #PoliticalDrama #TickerNews #BreakingPolitics