1.3 Archives - Comparative Connections

U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration added five companies in China to a trade blacklist on Tuesday for allegedly supporting Russia’s military and defense industrial base, flexing its muscle to enforce sanctions against Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine.

Jun 28

Nikkei Asia – Japan election platforms show split on amending pacifist constitution

One question in next month’s upper house election in Japan is whether lawmakers open to amending the constitution can maintain the necessary two-thirds majority. But even such numbers would not guarantee an elusive consensus on the war-renouncing Article 9.

Jun 28

NHK World – Turkey backs NATO bids for Finland, Sweden

Leaders in Finland and Sweden have seen what is happening in Ukraine and decided they would be better off under NATO’s protection. However, their bid ran into opposition from Turkish leaders. Now, they have reached an agreement.

The foreign ministers of the three countries signed a memorandum confirming Turkey’s support on Wednesday at the NATO summit in Madrid. Finland and Sweden will attend the summit as “invitees.”

Jun 28

Foreign Policy – Pyongyang’s Not Picking Up the Phone

Seoul and Washington have pledged they’re ready to talk with a nuclear-testing North Korea—but they’re not getting any response.

Jun 28

Hindustan Times – India-Canada ties: Modi, Trudeau hold talks at G7 summit

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi held his first in-person bilateral meeting with his Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau in over four years in Germany on Monday.

A tweet from India’s prime minister’s office noted the two leaders “took stock of India-Canada friendship and discussed ways to further strengthen it across various sectors”.

Jun 27

Nikkei Asia – India, EU resume free trade talks after near-decade freeze

India and the European Union on Monday formally relaunched negotiations toward a free trade agreement, ending a hiatus of nearly a decade and aiming to strike a deal by the end of 2023. The two sides hope to overcome sticking points as they aim to reduce their reliance on China.

Jun 27