In the News, 2019: ASIA & OCEANIA

Relations between the U.S. and China have become more tense in the past year, as the two nations struggle for global influence and a trade war heats up. President Trump has accused China of unfair trade practices and imposed tariffs on many Chinese products; the Chinese have responded by imposing tariffs on goods imported from the U.S. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping has been consolidating his authority at home, and a recent end to term limits means he could potentially remain in power for life.

U.S. troops have been fighting a war in Afghanistan since 2001, following the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the U.S. But after 17 years, Afghanistan remains unstable. The Taliban, a radical Islamist group ousted from power early in the war, continue to battle American and Afghan forces. The Trump administration is now seeking to negotiate directly with the Taliban to end the longest war in U.S. history.

The June 2018 summit between President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un raised hopes for improved relations with this isolated Communist regime. North Korea has nuclear weapons, and long-range missiles capable of reaching the U.S., and the talks were aimed at ultimately removing the threat of a nuclear showdown. It’s far from clear, however, that North Korea will agree to dismantle its weapons. Diplomats also hope to negotiate a formal end to the Korean War (1950-53), which halted in a cease-fire but without a peace treaty.