The Globalist A 12 out of 10 meeting: Trump lowers tariffs on China, Xi cuts rare earth controls
Oct 31, 2025
William Yang, Senior Northeast Asia analyst, discusses the nuanced trade outcomes of the recent US-China summit, including symbolic tariff cuts and the complexities around fentanyl enforcement. Ruth Michelson, a Middle East journalist, dives into Chancellor Merz's visit to Turkey, exploring pivotal defense and migration talks. Karen Krasanovich shares spine-chilling horror movie recommendations for Halloween, while Andrew Muller rounds up the week’s cultural highlights, touching on political oddities and recent events. Simon Brook offers insights into the implications of AI deepfakes in elections and the ongoing UK-China tensions.
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Resetting Germany–Turkey Relations Around Defence
- Germany's visit to Turkey is a reset focused on defence and migration despite human-rights concerns.
- Merz prioritises Eurofighter deals and NATO cohesion over pressing Erdogan on rights.
The Döner Diplomacy Faux Pas
- Steinmeier's previous visit sparked 'Döner diplomacy' backlash when he brought 60kg of döner meat.
- The gesture was received as a slight towards Turkish Germans rather than a celebration.
Arms Sales As Diplomacy And Domestic Headache
- The Eurofighter sale to Turkey is framed as European solidarity and job creation.
- The deal complicates diplomatic optics amid domestic prosecutions and political tensions.