Reuters World News US-China tariff deal, Ukraine-Russia, AI weapons and Trump in Saudi
May 12, 2025
The U.S. and China are scaling back tariffs for 90 days, marking a significant shift in trade relations. Ukrainian President Zelensky is keen on direct peace talks with Putin, potentially in Turkey. The discussion also highlights Trump's recent visit to Saudi Arabia, intertwined with major arms deals. Lastly, the role of AI in modern warfare comes under scrutiny, reflecting heightened concerns about its impact on global security.
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US-China Tariff De-escalation
- The US and China agreed to cut tariffs by 115% and pause them for 90 days in a major trade de-escalation.
- This deal signals neither side wants economic decoupling between the two powers.
Ukraine-Russia Talks Complexity
- Zelensky proposed direct talks with Putin in Turkey, but Putin insists on talking before any ceasefire.
- Ukraine demands a 30-day ceasefire first, showing the fundamental disagreement on negotiation sequencing.
Rising Military Use of AI
- AI is already used in military for targeting and semi-autonomous weapons, moving towards fully autonomous systems.
- Human rights groups worry about loss of control and accountability in AI weaponry.