US to send tariff deal letters to nearly 200 countries
US President Donald Trump announced that the United States will soon send nearly 200 letters to its trade partners, formalizing tariff agreements, according to Xinhua.
He described the letters as binding deals, stating that once sent, trading partners would be required to pay the agreed tariffs, which he said would remain minimal.
The move follows earlier warnings of import tariffs set to begin on August 1. However, the administration has recently softened its stance amid financial market concerns and inflation risks.
Several countries have strongly opposed the US’s unilateral tariff actions, Xinhua reported.
Death toll in Thailand-Cambodia border clashes hits 32, over 130 injured
At least 32 people have been killed in escalating border clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, with thousands forced to flee. Cambodia confirmed 12 new deaths—seven civilians and five soldiers—while Thailand reported 19 total fatalities, including children and soldiers.
Fighting erupted Thursday after a landmine injured five Thai troops near the disputed border. Both sides blame each other for initiating attacks, which include airstrikes and artillery fire. Cambodia has accused Thailand of using banned cluster munitions, while Thailand says Cambodia targeted civilian areas, according to Al Jazeera.
Over 150,000 people have been evacuated across both countries. Thailand has declared martial law in eight districts. The UN Security Council has urged both sides to show restraint and resolve the crisis peacefully.
US condemns French probe into X over foreign interference
US has sharply criticized France’s investigation into Elon Musk’s X, calling it a threat to free speech. A French prosecutor is probing the platform for alleged foreign interference and has reportedly classified X as an “organized crime group”, according to BBC.
The US State Department called the move politically motivated and warned against silencing dissent. X has denied the claims and refused to hand over its algorithm and data, calling the request unjustified.
Pakistan, India edge closer to US trade deals
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said the country is “very close” to a trade deal with the US after meeting Secretary of State Marco Rubio, though Washington has not confirmed a timeline. Both sides discussed expanding trade, especially in critical minerals and mining, according to Firstpost.
Meanwhile, India and the US are finalizing the first phase of a Bilateral Trade Agreement aimed at boosting market access, reducing trade barriers, and strengthening supply chains. US President Donald Trump recently said a deal with India is also “very close.”
