The Weekly Report: July 20-27
United States
President Trump announced a trade deal between the United States and the European Union(EU). This deal comes as the EU and the U.S. have been in intense negotiations trying to reach a deal before the August 1st deadline set by President Trump. Had a deal not been reached a higher tariff rate would have gone into effect. As the deal stands U.S. exports will face no tariffs while many European exports to the U.S., such as cars,.will be subject to 15 percent tariffs.
President Trump and Jerome Powell, Chairman of the Federal Reserve met this week to take a tour of the headquarters of the Central Bank which is under renovation. President Trump wanted to take a tour to understand the overrun in costs on the project. Jerome Powell disrupted the number that the renovations have cost in front of the media. This meeting comes as President Trump has been trying to get Powell to lower interest rates.
Asia
An unconditional ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand went into effect at midnight on Monday July 28, 2025 following just under a week of fighting. Both sides announced they would meet to discuss the border dispute which was the main area of friction between the two nations.
Europe
A passenger train in Germany de-railed, which resulted in the deaths of at least three people. The cause of the derailment is still unknown, but an investigation is already underway.
The EU announced that they would withhold 1.7 billion dollars due to the money being dependent on the governing standards. Recently the Presidential Office of Ukraine announced that they would bring anti-corruption agencies under their control. The announcement caused protests in Ukraine which resulted in President Zelensky quickly backtracking on his previous decision. The 1.7 billion dollars can however be reinstated should the necessary standards be met.
South America
As part of the prisoner swap between Venezuela and the U.S. a convicted murder who was sentenced to 30 years in prison was released. Dahud Hanid Ortiz, murdered three people when he was in Spain and then fled to Venezuela where he was convicted and sent to prison. He is a U.S. Army Veteran which likely contributed to the reason the U.S. wanted him back.
Africa
Many people were killed in an attack on a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC). The attack was carried out by a group linked to the Islamic State(IS). The United Nations peacekeeping mission said 43 people were killed while the Congolese army said only 40 were killed. This tragic event comes as the country has found itself in an unstable condition in recent times
Middle East
Israel announced they had temporarily halted military action in specific parts of Gaza in order to facilitate more International aid to arrive into Gaza. This move comes as Israel has been under intense scrutiny over killings at different aid distribution sites in recent weeks.
