Around the World in 5 – 2
“Good times pass away, but then so do the bad. Mutability is our tragedy, but it’s also our hope. The worst of times, like the best, are always passing away.”
It’s been a productive day of negotiations for the Trump administration, with several significant bilateral deals secured across multiple sectors.
Wednesday 14th May marks the continuation of Trump’s four-day Middle East tour, with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, signing off on a series of major defence agreements between the two nations. A total of $96 billion was committed by the Emir to acquire 210 Boeing 787 Dreamliner and 777X GE Aerospace aircraft, alongside a further $1 billion investment in counter-drone technology from the US defence company Raytheon. As part of the same deal, Qatar also agreed to a $2 billion purchase of MQ-9B drones from General Atomics.
Over in the United Kingdom, Prime Minister Starmer’s recent trade agreement with the US has drawn criticism from Beijing, which described the deal as a form of economic capitulation to the Trump administration. The agreement includes stringent American security provisions that will result in the further exclusion of Chinese products from UK supply chains. Chinese officials argue that targeting a third country in this manner constitutes a direct violation of international trade norms, further straining Sino-UK relations despite Chancellor Reeves’ earlier attempts to rekindle trade dialogue this year.
In Algeria, several members of its diplomatic staff have been expelled from France, in retaliation for Algeria’s earlier removal of 15 French officials. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot stated this morning that more expulsions may follow for both parties. Relations between the two countries have sharply deteriorated in recent months, largely in response to France’s support for Morocco’s controversial Western Sahara plan. Colonial tensions seem far from dormant in this unfolding situation.
In South-East Asia, China has just concluded its hosting of the Forum for the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC), in a bid to foster a ‘golden decade’ of free trade and relations amid ongoing regional tensions between various Latin American nations with the US over tariffs. Beijing has scoped an opportunity to bolster its geopolitical influence in an economically distressed region.
The Artery of Trade, Frank Nuderscher, c.1922.
Linked Articles:
https://www.africanews.com/2025/05/14/france-expels-algerian-diplomats-amid-escalating-tensions/
https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3310358/china-hopes-golden-decade-relations-latin-american-and-caribbean?module=perpetual_scroll_0&pgtype=article
