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U.S. President Donald Trump, during a speech at the Republican Governors Association (RGA) dinner on February 20, stated that he would revive the American Dream and reiterated the benefits of reciprocal tariffs. He said that once the tariff policy succeeds, Americans might no longer have to pay income taxes.

Trump claimed that since he took office, aside from reducing government waste, the tariff policy has brought substantial funds to the U.S., including successfully recovering $60 billion (approximately NT$1.98 trillion) annually from a certain country. He further mentioned that if the tariff policy succeeds, tax revenues could come from foreign sources, and American citizens might not need to pay income taxes, just like during the period from 1870 to 1913 when the U.S. adopted a full tariff policy and became the wealthiest country in the world.

Trump also boasted about the advantages of reciprocal tariffs, where the U.S. imposes tariffs in proportion to what other countries charge on American goods. He stated that the European Union has reduced their previously high tariffs to match the 2.5% tariff the U.S. imposes. Regarding inflation, Trump noted that as energy prices fall, prices for everyday goods, including eggs and bacon, would stabilize.

Experts have expressed differing views on this matter. Given the current U.S. economic conditions, they believe that if Trump's tariff policy continues, although it may not lead to stagflation, the shift from importing products from emerging markets to buying U.S.-made goods, with higher wages and production costs, would result in price increases that would be passed directly to consumers. Therefore, under Trump's new policies, including layoffs and tariffs, there is concern that it could harm both consumers and the economy.

In response to Donald Trump's shift in stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has fostered a thaw in U.S.-Russia relations and driven bilateral normalization, EU nations have become alert to their passive position. On the 19th, French President Emmanuel Macron convened a meeting with about 15 national leaders, aiming to coordinate Europe's response to the threat from Russia.

The discussions between the U.S. and Russia regarding a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war and future geopolitical and economic issues—without involving European allies or Ukraine—has raised alarms among leaders in the EU and NATO. On the 17th, Macron held an emergency meeting to discuss a strategy, but similar issues arose as countries like Romania and the Czech Republic, which strongly support Ukraine, were excluded, causing dissatisfaction. On the 19th, Macron convened another online meeting, followed by an in-person discussion with Romania's interim president Ilie Bolojan in the afternoon.

Macron has been striving to unite Europe, engaging in discussions with all 27 EU member states. After an urgent summit, Macron stated on social media on the 19th: “We hope for a lasting and stable peace for Ukraine,” emphasizing France’s and its allies’ unified stance on Russia, Ukraine, and European security. He also stated that Europe shares the same goal as Trump, which is to end the nearly three-year-long Russia-Ukraine war, reaffirming that Ukraine must be involved in peace negotiations.

Trump, in an interview with reporters, mentioned that he expects Macron to visit Washington on Monday to discuss the perspectives of both sides on the Russia-Ukraine issue. However, the French presidency has yet to confirm this information.

Furthermore, Trump has recently made increasingly harsh criticisms of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, accusing him of allowing the war to happen, refusing to hold elections when his term ended, and acting as a "dictator" seeking to profit from U.S. aid. He also criticized Zelenskyy for sleeping in while refusing to meet Scott Bessent, a financial envoy sent by Trump. However, the fact is that Bessent met with Zelenskyy while lounging. These accusations reflect a shift in the U.S. stance, with Russia transitioning from a global adversary to a valuable partner for the U.S., while European countries are striving to find a new role for themselves, establishing a force independent of U.S. influence.

U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a strong lead in pushing for a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, without inviting European allies or having Ukraine present. On the 18th, U.S. and Russian representatives held talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for over four hours. Following the discussions, the two sides reached four main agreements, including restoring U.S.-Russia diplomatic relations, developing a plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, cooperating in geopolitics and economics after the war, and ensuring the advancement and success of these plans. After the meeting, the host country, Saudi Arabia, did not arrange for a press conference or collective interviews.

Russian President’s foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, stated that both sides had serious discussions on all issues and agreed to "consider each other’s interests." Another Russian representative remarked that this marked the beginning of the dialogue, where both parties started listening to each other, showing mutual respect and equality. However, it was still too early to comment on the results of the talks. The two sides plan to form negotiation teams for future talks, aiming to restore normal diplomatic operations, reflecting Trump's desire to thaw relations with Russia. This follows a phone call between Trump and Vladimir Putin last week, and the meeting signifies Trump's ongoing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war quickly, also moving toward a potential face-to-face meeting between the two leaders.

Previously, the Biden administration and NATO had emphasized that "Ukraine cannot be excluded from discussions about Ukraine," and Ukraine itself has stated that it will not accept any agreements imposed without Kyiv’s consent. According to Reuters, during the talks, Russia demanded that NATO officially abandon the promise made at the 2008 Bucharest Summit to allow Ukraine to join the alliance. At that NATO summit in Romania's capital, it was agreed to allow Ukraine and Georgia to join, but no specific timeline or plan was provided.

A severe winter storm is impacting the central and eastern United States, with widespread flooding, strong winds, and freezing temperatures resulting in at least 14 deaths.

According to AFP, the National Weather Service (NWS) warned today that a winter storm system has formed, bringing an Arctic air mass that could bring "record-breaking low temperatures." Wind chills are expected to drop to -51°C in Montana and North Dakota. West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey stated that at least one person has died in the state due to weather-related factors, and flooding is expected, with several people still missing.

The powerful winter storm swept through Kentucky, bringing heavy snowfall, freezing rain, and strong winds, causing roads to ice over, reducing visibility, and leading to numerous traffic accidents. Some areas experienced power outages as ice damaged power lines, leaving thousands of households and businesses without electricity. Schools and government offices were also forced to shut down. Meteorological units have warned that low temperatures and snowfall may continue for several days, with the storm’s impact expected to expand.

Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky declared a state of emergency today to ensure that state government agencies and relevant units can quickly deploy resources to cope with the impacts of the extreme weather and protect the safety of citizens' lives and property.

Currently, the Kentucky Department of Transportation is working to clear roads and prevent ice buildup to keep major transportation routes open. Multiple emergency shelters have been opened to provide temporary shelter and basic supplies to affected residents. Power companies are also working to repair damaged equipment and restore electricity as quickly as possible. In addition, emergency rescue teams have been deployed across the state, ready to respond to any emergencies.

On Monday, February 17, a delegation from the Afghan Taliban government made its first visit to Japan. The Taliban government regularly visits neighboring countries and regional states, including Central Asia, Russia, and China. However, it has only officially visited Europe in 2022 and 2023 to participate in a diplomatic summit held in Norway. This marks one of their rare diplomatic visits outside the region.

The Afghan delegation departed from Kabul on February 15 for a week-long visit to Japan. The delegation includes officials from the ministries of higher education, foreign affairs, and economic affairs. On February 15, Deputy Minister of Economy Latif Nazari stated on X, "We seek dignified engagement with the world to achieve a strong, united, advanced, prosperous, and developed Afghanistan and to become an active member of the international community."

After the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021, the Japanese Embassy in Kabul temporarily relocated to Qatar. However, Japan has since reopened its embassy and resumed diplomatic and humanitarian activities in the country. According to NHK, citing anonymous Afghan diplomatic sources, the delegation plans to "exchange views with Japanese government officials during the visit."

At the Munich Security Conference on the 15th, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that a meeting of European leaders, including the United Kingdom, would be held soon to discuss strengthening support for Ukraine and addressing the threat from Russia. On the same day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also delivered a speech, calling for greater European cooperation and the establishment of a European armed force to counter Russia collectively. On the 16th, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain would deploy peacekeeping troops to assist Ukraine. Following U.S. President Donald Trump’s announcement of negotiations with Russia, various parties are taking swift action to avoid being excluded.

Recently, Trump held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stating his intention to push for a ceasefire negotiation between Ukraine and Russia but did not mention the roles of Ukraine and Europe in the process, raising concerns. On the evening of the 15th, Macron announced that he would convene a summit with European leaders, including Prime Minister Starmer, to discuss how to respond to the U.S. excluding Europe from the Ukraine-Russia peace process. The meeting will also address Europe’s stance on Ukraine’s NATO membership and explore ways to support Ukraine against Russia through NATO or other European nations while ensuring Kyiv’s future security.

UK Prime Minister Starmer, who has confirmed his attendance, emphasized that this is a critical moment for national security and stated that “Europe must play a greater role within NATO.” He also reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to maintaining alignment between the U.S. and Europe. On the 16th, Starmer announced that the UK had prepared its troops for deployment to Ukraine as part of a post-war peacekeeping force and is also expected to meet with Trump. According to an analysis by The Guardian, the active coordination between the UK, France, and other European countries reflects deep concerns over the U.S. attempting to dominate Ukraine-Russia negotiations while sidelining Europe.

On the 15th, Zelensky delivered a speech stressing that the time has come to establish a "European Armed Forces" and highlighting the importance of creating a European military force and enhancing comprehensive defense capabilities. He warned that the era of the U.S. providing long-term support for Europe has ended, and Europe must unite to ensure its own security.

Although not all European countries support the idea of a European army, Zelensky’s remarks align with calls from multiple nations to strengthen Europe’s role. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk stated on social media that “Europe urgently needs to formulate an action plan for its own security and Ukraine; otherwise, future decisions will be dictated by other global powers.” NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte also revealed that European leaders are negotiating a concrete security guarantee plan for Ukraine.

Additionally, Zelensky disclosed that Ukraine rejected a critical mineral agreement with the U.S. because the proposal did not provide sufficient security assurances or benefits. The U.S. had recently proposed a joint development plan for Ukraine’s rare earth resources in exchange for future American support. Sources indicated that the proposal involved granting the U.S. control over a significant portion of Ukraine’s mineral resources.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on Friday (14th) accused Russia of "offending the entire Italian nation" and defended the Italian president's comparison of Russia's invasion of Ukraine to Nazi Germany.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella, in a speech at a university last week, likened Russia's invasion of Ukraine to the Third Reich's aggression in Europe, describing it as a "war of conquest." Mattarella referenced Nazi Germany's annexation of Czechoslovakia and Austria in the late 1930s, which ultimately led to the outbreak of World War II when Germany invaded Poland.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova later responded, condemning Mattarella’s remarks as fabricated lies and blasphemy, sparking outrage in Italy.

In a strongly worded statement, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni declared that Russia's comments had insulted Italy’s head of state and, by extension, the entire Italian nation. She reaffirmed her and the Italian government’s full solidarity with President Mattarella and strongly condemned Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

Meanwhile, Italian Senate President Ignazio La Russa took to social media, calling the Russian Foreign Ministry’s remarks "inappropriate and out of line."

As former U.S. President Donald Trump takes office, European leaders are struggling to determine the next steps in the Russia-Ukraine war—especially as Trump has directly engaged in negotiations with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Additionally, the newly appointed U.S. Secretary of Defense has stated that Ukraine cannot join NATO and that restoring Ukraine’s pre-2014 borders is an unrealistic expectation, raising concerns among European nations about the prospects for peace in Ukraine.

On February 10, American tech giant Google announced that, in response to an executive order recently signed by U.S. President Donald Trump, it had renamed the Gulf of Mexico on Google Maps to the Gulf of America.

This change was made through the U.S. Geographic Names System (GNIS), with the name displayed on Google Maps depending on the user's location. When used in the U.S., the map will show "Gulf of America," while in Mexico, it will still show "Gulf of Mexico." In other regions, both names will be displayed.

The announcement sparked strong opposition from Mexican authorities, who sent an open letter to Google's CEO Sundar Pichai, demanding a correction to the incorrect labeling on Google Maps. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum stated on February 13 that if Google persists with the name change, Mexican authorities would not rule out filing a civil lawsuit against the company.

Sheinbaum also emphasized that the Gulf of Mexico, which lies between Mexico and the southeastern United States, has been known by this name since 1607 and has long been recognized globally, including by the United Nations. She referred to the region as "Mexican America" in reference to the "Constitución de Apatzingán," a predecessor to Mexico’s first constitution, to mock Trump, stressing that changing the name of the Gulf of Mexico would have international implications.

On February 13, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the "Fair Reciprocal Plan," directing agencies to draft tariffs that would impose reciprocal tariffs on foreign goods. These tariffs will be tailored to each trade partner, considering not only direct tariff equivalents but also non-tariff barriers, such as unfair subsidies, regulations, VAT, exchange rates, and more. Additionally, Trump announced plans to impose tariffs on automobiles, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. The reciprocal tariffs will not be immediately implemented, but U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick, stated that the relevant plans would be submitted to Trump by April 1.

Trump explained that "reciprocal tariffs" are a fair way to compete: "We will charge the same amount as they charge us." He emphasized that trade partners, including China, Japan, South Korea, and the EU, should not take advantage of the U.S. He argued that this plan would increase U.S. Treasury revenues, and while it might lead to inflation in the short term, companies seeking to reduce tariffs would establish manufacturing in the U.S., which would ultimately benefit the U.S. in the long run.

However, the World Customs Organization's 186 member countries each have different tariff rates, with varying tariffs for different products. Implementing the reciprocal tariffs Trump desires will be a challenging task, especially for products the U.S. does not produce. The tariffs have not been immediately enforced, which suggests that Trump is waiting for reactions from other countries to use it as a negotiation tactic.

Countries like Germany, Ireland, and Italy within the EU, which impose VAT, are expected to face higher tariff rates. These countries primarily export pharmaceuticals, medical devices, automobiles, and automobile parts to the U.S., meaning that the prices of these products will likely rise.

Since taking office, Trump has already announced tariffs on all steel and aluminum imports, a 10% tariff on goods from China, and, after negotiating with Canada and Mexico, has temporarily suspended the imposition of a 30-day tariff.

The Artificial Intelligence Action Summit was held in Paris on February 10-11, where its joint declaration called for a global "inclusive and sustainable" AI development environment. The participating countries committed to "ensuring that AI is open, inclusive, transparent, ethical, safe, and reliable, while considering all international frameworks." The declaration emphasized the need for "global dialogue" on AI governance to "make AI sustainable for humanity and the planet." However, the declaration was not signed by the United States and the United Kingdom, two of the 61 signatory countries.

US Vice President JD Vance had previously criticized Europe's "over-regulation" of technology during a speech at the Grand Palais in Paris. He argued that excessive regulation in AI could stifle a transformative industry and warned against collaborating with China. The US's refusal to sign the declaration further highlights its position. A spokesperson for the UK government also stated that the declaration lacked clarity on overall governance and did not address the national security concerns posed by AI.

French President Emmanuel Macron, at the summit's closing, stated, "This is where we lay the foundation and innovate to accelerate the realization and ongoing development of AI, which is key to building mutual trust." He emphasized the importance of continuing to advance international AI governance.

The achievements of the US and China in AI have posed increasing challenges for the European Union. Observing China's success with DeepSeek, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, announced at the summit that the EU would invest €200 billion to support emerging AI industries in Europe. This includes a €50 billion contribution from the EU, with the remainder to be provided by suppliers and investors.