South Korean diplomacy needs to strike a balance between two sets of trilateral relationships — ROK-U.S.-Japan and ROK-China-Japan. It all boils down to pragmatism in domestic and international affairs.

Imperialist, exploitative and egocentric — these words describe U.S. policy on the Global South. The policy is deeply ingrained in Trump MAGA agenda, but it’s a loser in the long run.

Given the fact that most disruptions in the bilateral relationship originate in Washington, it is essential that the Trump administration apply the consensus reached during the call to its future actions.

The European establishment has ramped up its efforts to counter far-right forces, a move that will profoundly shape transatlantic relations in the Trump 2.0 era.

The Trump administration’s confused and misplaced understanding of its own national “interests” and “threats” will not only fail to help resolve the enormous domestic challenges facing the United States but will lead it further down the wrong track.

Mutual success for Chinese and Latin American civilizations lies in respecting diversity, not imposing a certain model. This stands in sharp contrast with the hollow U.S. “alliance of values.”

Hong Kong remains a vital and distinct gateway between China and the world, with its common law system and international character serving essential functions for China's global engagement and soft power. Despite rising geopolitical tensions and U.S. policy shifts, particularly under Trump, Hong Kong can preserve its relevance by investing in education exchanges, hosting unofficial Sino-American dialogues, and positioning itself as a hub for global governance debates.

In April 2025, Chinese President Xi Jinping conducted a five-day diplomatic tour of Southeast Asia, visiting Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia from April 14 to 18. The strategically timed visit, Xi’s first overseas trip of the year, occurred amid escalating trade tensions driven by U.S. President Donald Trump’s imposition of tariffs on over 70 countries, including China and the three nations Xi visited. The tour aimed to reinforce China’s economic and diplomatic influence in the region, counter U.S. trade policies, and solidify partnerships within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The U.S. president’s mid-may trip Middle East found a region unlike the one he tamed in his first term. His encore performance, though bold, reveals a region slipping from the grasp of his once-potent diplomatic playbook. GCC states are increasingly asserting themselves as they look for harmony.

To Donald Trump’s surprise, China showed no fear of tariffs. Instead, it launched a powerful tit-for-tat counteroffensive that caused the United States to back off. Trump’s pattern of bullying, his obsession with bellicose showmanship, his love of flattery and his attempts to instill fear are on display for all to see.