Trump leaving G7 summit day early due to Middle East crisis, urges Tehran evacuation
U.S. President Donald Trump and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer walk to have a family photo taken at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada, June 16, 2025. (Reuters)
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South China Morning Post
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Israel-Iran conflict raises Asia's energy security fears over Strait of Hormuz risks
Escalating conflict between Israel and Iran is raising fresh concerns over Asia's energy security, analysts said on Tuesday, with any disruption to oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz threatening to destabilise global markets. Advertisement Roughly seventy per cent of Asia's crude oil and refined product imports pass through the narrow waterway, which lies adjacent to Iran and connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. The strait remains one of the world's most critical maritime choke points, particularly for heavily import-dependent Asian economies. The renewed anxiety came after US President Donald Trump left the Group of Seven (G7) summit in Canada a day early on Monday after calling for the evacuation of Tehran in a social media post – a move widely interpreted as a signal that hostilities between Israel and Iran could intensify further. Trump had earlier suggested that Iran was open to de-escalation talks with Israel , briefly cooling a sharp spike in oil prices. West Texas Intermediate crude dropped below US$70 on Monday, though it rebounded to US$73 on Tuesday, roughly 20 per cent higher than a month earlier. 02:48 Trump suggests Iran and Israel may need to 'fight it out' before deal Trump suggests Iran and Israel may need to 'fight it out' before deal 'The potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz risks tipping oil markets into heavy undersupply, supporting prices and adding tension,' according to Janiv Shah, vice-president for oil markets at Rystad Energy. 'A blockade remains the key risk that could push markets into uncharted territory.'
Asia Times
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Vietnam takes a risk and a chance on BRICS
On June 13, 2025, BRICS officially welcomed Vietnam as 'a partner country', marking a significant milestone in Hanoi's foreign policy. This decision reflects a carefully planned strategy, developed over years, to diversify Vietnam's international relations and strengthen its position in a multipolar world. By aligning with BRICS – a bloc comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, and recently expanded to include other emerging economies –Vietnam aims to reduce its dependence on specific partners while navigating complex global dynamics. Vietnam's relationship with the United States, elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September 2023, has faced challenges since the re-election of President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has imposed stringent tariff barriers and scrutinized Vietnam's trade practices, particularly its role as a potential conduit for Chinese goods entering the US market. Hanoi, acutely aware of these tensions, seeks to balance its economic ties with the US by deepening engagement with other global players. Joining BRICS is a strategic step in this direction, aligning Vietnam with a bloc that collectively represents over 40% of the world's population and a significant share of global GDP. Vietnam's accession to BRICS, even as a partner rather than a full member, carries both opportunities and risks. On one hand, it enhances Hanoi's access to economic resources, particularly from China, a dominant BRICS member. Recent agreements with Beijing, including financing for a high-speed railway project connecting Vietnam and China and other infrastructure initiatives, underscore Vietnam's reliance on Chinese loans and technical expertise. These projects are critical for modernizing Vietnam's economy, which remains heavily dependent on foreign investment to sustain growth. BRICS membership also offers Vietnam a platform to advocate for a more equitable global economic order, aligning with the bloc's calls for reforming institutions like the United Nations and the World Bank. However, this move risks straining relations with the US under the Trump administration, which targets China's economic influence. The US has expressed concerns that Vietnam serves as a transit hub for Chinese goods relabeled to evade US tariffs. If Hanoi fails to address these concerns, it could face punitive sanctions, disrupting its export-driven economy, which relies heavily on the US market. Such measures could also destabilize Vietnam's domestic political landscape, as economic downturns often fuel public discontent. To mitigate this, Vietnam has intensified efforts to enhance transparency in trade practices. Recent nationwide crackdowns in Vietnam by the economic police and the Market Management forces on goods lacking clear origins or invoices demonstrate Hanoi's commitment to aligning with international trade standards. Vietnam has also made diplomatic gestures to maintain cordial ties with the US, such as facilitating projects by the Trump Organization. While these moves signal Hanoi's desire to avoid antagonizing Washington, they are unlikely to resolve the core issue of Vietnam's trade practices. The Trump administration's focus on 'America First' policies leaves little room for compromise, placing Vietnam in an unstable position. Moreover, BRICS's push for global institutional reform highlights Vietnam's own domestic challenges. The country has faced international criticism over issues like transparency, institutional accountability and restrictions on freedom of speech. Without substantial internal reforms, Vietnam's participation in BRICS risks being perceived as symbolic rather than substantive. For instance, Hanoi's anti-corruption campaign, while notable, has yet to fully address systemic governance issues that could undermine its credibility within a bloc advocating for global equity. Vietnam's status as a partner country, rather than a full BRICS member, reflects a cautious foreign policy, aligning with its 'bamboo diplomacy.' This half-step allows Hanoi to engage with the bloc without fully committing to its geopolitical agenda, which is heavily influenced by China and Russia. However, this approach may limit Vietnam's ability to shape BRICS's vision for a new global economic order. Amid post-Covid economic recovery, Vietnam faces pressure to attract foreign capital from both China and the US while preserving its strategic autonomy. Joining a China-Russia-led alliance raises questions about Hanoi's ability to maintain its foreign policy of 'independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of relations', especially given ongoing disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea, where China's assertive claims challenge Vietnam's maritime rights. Vietnam's entry into BRICS as a partner country offers opportunities to diversify its economic and diplomatic ties but also poses critical challenges. Hanoi must navigate US-China tensions, address domestic governance issues, and clarify its trade practices to fully capitalize on BRICS membership. Without internal reforms and strategic foresight, Vietnam risks being caught in a geopolitical tug-of-war, undermining its aspirations for independence and influence in a rapidly changing global order.
South China Morning Post
4 hours ago
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Minnesota shooting suspect allegedly stalked multiple Democrats; death penalty possible
The suspected killer of a Minnesota lawmaker could face the death penalty, US prosecutors said Monday as they revealed chilling details of an alleged murderous nighttime spree targeting local Democrats. Vance Boelter, 57, faces six federal charges, including two counts of murder by firearm, punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty, acting US Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joe Thompson told a press conference in Minneapolis. Thompson gave a shocking account of Boelter's alleged activities in the early hours of Saturday, revealing that he went to the homes of four state politicians - all of them Democrats - not only the two previously reported. 'It is no exaggeration to say his crimes are the stuff of nightmares. Boelter stalked his victims like prey. He went to their homes, held himself out as a police officer, and shot them in cold blood,' Thompson said. Vance Boelter at the Hennepin County Jail in Minnesota. Photo: Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AFP The rampage began with the shooting of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife and ended with the killing of state congresswoman Melissa Hortman and her husband. But it had two other stops in between, Thompson added.
