Latest news for 29 May 2025

UNITED STATES

Court blocks Trump’s tariffs.

In a bombshell decision, the US Court of International Trade has blocked most of President Trump’s tariffs after ruling he had unlawfully invoked an emergency law to impose them. This stems from something we flagged way back in March, noting Trump’s emphasis on issues like Fentanyl seemed a way to activate his own authority for tariffs, which otherwise rests with Congress. (The Guardian)

Comment: All those trading partners now negotiating a reprieve? They just got one for free. But while any appeal plays out, Trump likely has short-term options to replace his tariffs (eg, via ss122, 232, and 338 of the Trade Act), while he cooks up more targeted tariffs via s301 (this requires an investigation first). Meanwhile, some in Trump’s team (Bessent) might nudge him to take this offramp, blame the courts, and regroup for a different strategy, though that feeeeeeels unlikely.

CHINA

US to revoke Chinese student visas.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced the US will “aggressively revoke” visas for Chinese students. He hasn’t flagged any specific criteria, but says students with CCP ties and those studying in “critical fields” will face particular scrutiny. (NYT $)

Comment: Yet another development with massive ramifications: China is America’s second source of international students, so the university sector will feel this on their bottom line first, before the impacts flow through to the broader US tech ecosystem, which has long relied heavily on attracting the world’s best and brightest (up to half the world’s top AI researchers have ties to China).

ISRAEL

UN criticises chaotic aid rollout.

At least two have reportedly died amid a chaotic rollout of a US and Israeli-backed aid distribution plan in Gaza that the UN has criticised as “dangerous” and a “pressure tactic”. Israel had previously halted all aid flows from March in what it described as an effort to stop goods being diverted to Hamas. (France24)

EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels wants members to cut water usage.

The European Commission is reportedly preparing to ask its member countries to reduce their water usage by 10% by the end of the decade to confront growing water shortages across the continent. (FT $)

CAMBODIA

One dead in Cambodia-Thailand border clash.

A Cambodian soldier has died after a brief border skirmish along a disputed area with Thailand. The Thai defence minister says it was all a misunderstanding. (AP)

Comment: It’s a reminder that, even among relatively friendly neighbours, long-simmering territorial disputes can quickly turn deadly. As we hurtle towards a more multipolar world, more capitals will shoot their shot.

MEXICO

Voters to start electing judges.

Locals will head to the polls this weekend to start voting for over 880 judges as part of a controversial judicial reform backed by President Sheinbaum. She argues it’ll root out corruption and make courts more accountable, while critics argue it’ll just politicise the judiciary. (Yahoo)

Comment: In one of those plot twists even Hollywood couldn’t concoct, a member of El Chapo’s defence team is now running for election as a criminal court judge (another of his lawyers went on to drop an epic debut album).

MONGOLIA

PM’s lavish son triggers protests.

Prime Minister Oyun-Erdene Luvsannamsrai is soon expected to call a vote of confidence in his own leadership amid public outcry over his son’s lavish lifestyle, including a Mercedes and bling. Word is a rival faction might be using the outcry to help Mongolia’s president concentrate more power in his own hands. (Guardian)