🇨🇦🇲🇽🤝🇺🇸 — 🇩🇪 BILD:

"Canada, Mexico Make Concessions, White House Postpones 25% Tariffs

After talks with President Claudia Sheinbaum, US President Donald Trump relented and postponed the tariffs – they will not be introduced in February. In return, Mexico pledged to send 10,000 troops to the US border to combat illegal migration and drug trafficking.

Tariffs against Canada are also being delayed for a month. In return, Canada has agreed to concessions on border security.

"Canada is implementing our $1.3 billion border plan, which will strengthen the border with new helicopters, technology and personnel, improve coordination with our American partners, and increase resources to combat the flow of fentanyl," said Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trump's decision to impose 10 percent tariffs on China remains in effect. Beijing has already taken retaliatory measures: an additional 15 percent tariff will be imposed on coal and liquefied gas from the United States, and 10 percent on oil and agricultural machinery. However, the Chinese authorities believe that there will be no winners in a "trade or tariff war."

#Geoeconomics

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🇺🇸🗯🇺🇦🧪 — 🇬🇧 The Guardian | Volodymyr Zelenskyy open to supplying US with minerals in exchange for military aid | Germany’s Olaf Scholz calls US president’s plan ‘selfish’ but reports suggest idea may have come from Kyiv | February 4,2025

Ukraine is open to “investment” from allies as long as they help it fight Russia, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says, after Donald Trump demanded Kyiv supply the US with rare earth resources – critical elements used in electronics – in exchange for military aid.

(...)

Speaking to reporters at the White House on Monday, Trump said he wanted “equalisation” from Ukraine for Washington’s “close to $300bn” in support. “We’re telling Ukraine they have very valuable rare earths,” Trump said. “We’re looking to do a deal with Ukraine where they’re going to secure what we’re giving them with their rare earths and other things.”

(...)

The Kyiv Independent cited a source in Ukraine’s presidential office as saying that a deal over the country’s resources with allies was in fact first proposed in Zelenskyy’s “victory plan”, which includes a mix of economic and security incentives and demands of western allies."

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🇸🇾🤝🇹🇷 — 🇹🇷 Anadolu Agency | Syrian President al-Sharaa's 'historic' visit marks start of ‘lasting friendship’: Turkish President Erdogan | Recep Tayyip Erdogan pledges support for Syria’s reconstruction, security, economic recovery | February 4, 2025:

"Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Tuesday described Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s visit to Ankara as a “historic” step toward the beginning of a period of “lasting friendship and cooperation” between the two countries.

Speaking at a joint press conference with al-Sharaa, Erdogan emphasized Türkiye’s commitment to Syria’s territorial integrity and unity.

He reiterated Türkiye’s unwavering support for Syria, saying: “We never abandoned our Syrian sisters and brothers in their hardest times, and we will continue to support them in this new period.”

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🇨🇳🆗🗣👤🇺🇸 — 📰 The Wall Street Journal | Beijing Prepares Its Opening Bid to Talk Trade With Trump | As White House fires 10% tariff salvo, China sees room to negotiate | February 3, 2025:

"Beijing is readying an opening bid to try to head off greater tariff increases and technology restrictions from the Trump administration—a sign that China is eager to get trade talks going.

However, what it is prepared to offer, according to people in both capitals familiar with Beijing’s thinking—chiefly focused on going back to a previous trade deal that didn’t work out—is likely to intensify debates in Washington over how to negotiate with China.

Even though the White House hit China with 10% tariffs starting Tuesday for its failure to crack down on chemicals used to make fentanyl, neither side appears ready to launch a full-on trade war. China, in particular, is in weak economic shape, and Chinese leader Xi Jinping has signaled his interest in engaging in negotiations with President Trump, who has also suggested he is open to dialogue by deferring most of his promised tariffs on China.

(...)

Having failed to deliver on its pledge under the deal to increase U.S. purchases, Beijing now is preparing to talk to the Trump administration about areas where China can buy more from the U.S., the people said.

Other parts of China’s plan, the people said, include an offer to make more investments in the U.S.—in sectors such as batteries for electric cars, a renewed pledge by Beijing not to devalue the yuan to gain competitive advantage, and a commitment to reduce exports of fentanyl precursors."

#Geoeconomics

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🇷🇺🇺🇦The Russian Federation has taken control of up to 70% of Ukraine's mineral resources: the largest number of mineral resources are located in Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Luhansk regions, Forbes calculated

Their value is 15 trillion dollars.

⚓🛳⚡️ — 📰 ZeroHedge | Clearest Image Of US Navy's Directed-Energy Weapon Firing Laser Rounds | February 3, 2025:

"Lockheed Martin's HELIOS (High Energy Laser with Integrated Optical-Dazzler and Surveillance) weapon has been successfully deployed aboard a US Navy warship. Designed to counter unmanned aerial threats, the high-energy laser weapon operates at a cost of only a few dollars per shot—an extraordinary savings for the Navy, which has a habit of spending tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars per missile interception.

Defense Blog reports that an update on HELIOS was published in a January 2025 report by the US Office of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation. The report includes an image of the USS Preble deploying its HELIOS weapon system at sea—one of the clearest images of the laser weapon in action to date.

"The US Center for Countermeasures (CCM) supported the Navy's demonstration on USS Preble (DDG 88) to verify and validate the functionality, performance, and capability of the HEL with Integrated Optical Dazzler and Surveillance system against an unmanned aerial vehicle target. CCM collected imagery of the engagements to support the evaluation of system performance," the annual report said. 

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🇺🇸🇮🇱🇵🇸 Zhao DahShuai on X:

"The US have promised to ethnically cleanse Gaza of the Palestinian population.

This is for the ultimate goal of the creation of Greater Israel, where Arabs live as 2nd class citizens under the Zionist apartheid.

The Arab world must wake up, here's what they must do."

🧵 https://fxtwitter.com/zhao_dashuai/status/1887162278287700031

💰🇺🇸💵 Should the United States implement a Bitcoin strategic reserve?

The United States benefits from what economists call the “exorbitant privilege.” As the issuer of the world’s reserve currency, it can borrow and support new spend in its own currency. However, this does not mean it can simply print money — Treasuries must still attract buyers on the open market. Fortunately, U.S. debt is widely regarded as the safest asset in the world, ensuring strong demand, particularly during times of crisis when investors rush toward safety.

Who cashes in on the exorbitant privilege? First, U.S. policymakers, who gain extra flexibility in fiscal and monetary decisions. Then, the banks — sitting at the center of global financial flows, raking in fees and influence. But the real winners? U.S. companies and multinationals, which get to do most business in their own currency, and can issue bonds and borrow more cheaply than their foreign competitors. And let’s not forget consumers, who enjoy stronger purchasing power, lower borrowing costs, and more affordable mortgages and loans.

The result? The U.S. can borrow at lower costs, sustain larger deficits for longer, and withstand economic shocks that would cripple other nations. However, the exorbitant privilege is not guaranteed — it must be earned. It depends on America’s economic, financial, and geopolitical strength. Ultimately, the entire system hinges on one crucial factor: trust. Trust in U.S. institutions, its governance, and its military. And above all, trust that, when all is said and done, the dollar remains the safest place to park global savings.

...continue reading here below...

https://a16zcrypto.com/posts/article/bitcoin-strategic-reserve/

@FelipeChannel

#URGENT

🇮🇱📞🇮🇱❗️ | Israeli Defense Minister Katz orders the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to prepare a plan to allow the Palestinian Arab population to voluntarily leave Gaza!

In statement, the Jewish State Defense Minister's office said:

"Minister Katz have instructed the IDF to prepare a plan to provide the residents of Gaza with the option of voluntary departure.

Gaza residents must be allowed to enjoy freedom of exit and migration as is customary everywhere in the world - the plan will include exit options at land crossings as well as special arrangements for exit by sea and air."