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On the 14th of this month, U.S. President Joe Biden announced a new policy aimed at significantly increasing tariffs on goods imported from China. These goods include electric vehicles, computer chips, and medical products. Despite the potential strain on U.S.-China relations during an election year, Biden chose to implement these measures in hopes of gaining support from voters who are critical of his economic policies.

In a statement from the White House, it was declared that they would continue to enforce the tariff policies initiated by former Republican President Donald Trump and further strengthen other tariff measures. Their rationale is that China’s unfair practices, flooding global markets with low-priced goods, pose an unacceptable risk to U.S. economic security.
Here are the key points of the new tariff policy:

• Electric Vehicles (EVs): Tariffs will increase from the current rate to 100% this year, quadrupling the original rate.

• Semiconductors: Next year, tariffs on semiconductors will double from 25% to 50%.

• Critical Minerals: Tariffs on natural graphite and other key minerals will jump from 0% to 25%. Solar panels will also see an increase from 25% to 50%.

• Steel and Aluminum: Tariffs on steel and aluminum will be raised to 25%.

• Cranes: This year, cranes will face a 25% tariff increase. These new policies will impact Chinese imports worth $18 billion.

Before announcing these policies, an assessment was conducted on the tariffs imposed during the trade conflict between Washington and Beijing. In that trade war, former President Trump levied tariffs on approximately $300 billion worth of Chinese goods. The so-called “Section 301” investigation was the primary tool used by the Trump administration to justify these tariffs, and the U.S. Trade Representative was instructed to review their impact four years later.

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2023, the U.S. imported goods worth $427 billion from China and exported goods valued at $148 billion to the world’s second-largest economy.

This trade deficit has persisted for decades and has become an increasingly sensitive issue in Washington.

Ukrainian officials reported on May 12 that Russia continues its cross-border attacks on the Kharkiv Oblast border town of Vovchansk, resulting in the evacuation of thousands of civilians from the region.

Starting on May 10, Russian forces launched cross-border attacks in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast. Although Ukrainian forces had previously repelled Russian advances in the region about two years ago, the situation has changed, and Russia has gained some minor progress. On May 12, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that they had recaptured four villages in the region and penetrated Ukrainian defensive positions. On May 11, they further asserted that they had occupied five border villages in the “gray zone” near the Russian border, including Pletenivka, Ohirtseve, Borysivka, Pylna, and Strilechna.

The situation remains complex, with Ukrainian forces working to prevent further Russian advances. According to Oleg Synegubov, the governor of Kharkiv Oblast, nearly all border areas in the northern part of the region have been under constant attack from Russian forces, resulting in the evacuation of a total of 4,073 people, most of whom are elderly.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated in a late-night video release that most of the Kharkiv border area is engaged in defensive battles, and some villages have effectively become hostile zones. He also mentioned that fighting in certain areas near Donetsk remains intense. The ongoing conflict continues to have devastating consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire.

Vice President of the Turin City Council, Domenico Garcea, rang the Bell of World Love and Peace and simultaneously made a wish for peace.

Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of FOWPAL and Zhang-men-ren of Tai Ji Men (right), received the 2024 Turin Global Peace Award from Francesco Curto, Chairman of FEDINSIEME (left)

The southern region of Brazil has been hit by continuous heavy rain, resulting in the most severe flooding in over 80 years. According to statistics, nearly a hundred people have lost their lives, and more than 200,000 people have been displaced. On the 6th of May, the Brazilian federal government declared a state of public disaster in the affected area and is actively providing aid and working on reconstruction efforts.

The state of Rio Grande do Sul, located at Brazil’s southernmost tip, has experienced record-breaking rainfall, with some river water levels surpassing historical records dating back to 1941.

The situation has led to widespread flooding, leaving over 408,000 users without electricity, 548,000 households without water, and numerous roads and bridges closed or collapsed throughout the state. Salgado Filho Airport has also been shut down. Additionally, six dams are at risk of breaching, prompting the state government to issue evacuation warnings to residents.

Eduardo Leite, the governor of Rio Grande do Sul, has emphasized the severity of the disaster and the need for a reconstruction assistance plan similar to the post-World War II “Marshall Plan.” Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has committed federal resources to rapidly restore the state’s infrastructure. On the 6th of May, the state was officially declared a public disaster area, and the National Congress authorized additional funding of 1.6 billion Brazilian reais (approximately 10.1 billion New Taiwan dollars) for relief efforts, with defense and civil resources being deployed to assist the affected region.

Unfortunately, the Brazilian meteorological agency predicts that heavy rain and strong winds will persist in the state from the 8th to the 12th of May, further complicating rescue operations.

Michele Conti, Mayor of Pisa, presented commemorative books and gifts to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, President of World Love and Peace Association and the leader of Tai Ji Men.

In 2022, Thailand became the first Asian country to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

However, the current Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced on May 8th that the country plans to reclassify marijuana as a controlled substance by the end of this year. The initial legalization led to significant growth in the cannabis industry, with an estimated value of $1.2 billion by 2025. Unfortunately, the rushed process of decriminalization resulted in a lack of proper regulations, leading to social chaos.

Prime Minister Thavisin emphasized the need to correct the existing marijuana policy. He called for stricter definitions of drug possession and a focus on using marijuana solely for health and medical purposes. Thavisin expressed concern about drug addiction among young people and stressed the importance of seizing assets from drug traffickers and expanding drug rehabilitation measures.

On social media platform “X,” Thavisin wrote, "I hope the Ministry of Health will revise relevant rules to reclassify marijuana as a controlled substance. We should promptly issue regulations allowing marijuana only for health and medical purposes. The drug problem can undermine our country’s future, especially when it comes to youth addiction. We must act swiftly and enhance drug rehabilitation efforts."

The Creazione Cultural Association under the patronage of the Municipality of Castellina Marittima, awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. Hong, Tao-Tze, leader of Tai ji Men and the president of FOWPAL, presented by Mayor Alessandro Giari on behalf of the Association.

On May 6, 2024, the prestigious Pulitzer Prize winners were announced at Columbia University in New York. The New York Times and Reuters were recognized for their reporting and photography related to the Gaza War, with a special commendation awarded to journalists and media personnel reporting from the Gaza frontlines.

Established in 1917, the Pulitzer Prize honors outstanding contributions in journalism, literature, and music. This year, a total of 15 awards were presented. In addition to the top newspaper receiving the gold award for outstanding public service, other winners received a prize of $15,000.

The Pulitzer Prize committee acknowledged that many journalists risked their lives while reporting on the stories from Palestine and Gaza. Their work contributes to recording valuable human experiences in the fields of news, literature, and art.

Reuters received the Best News Photography Award for their powerful images capturing the early stages of the Gaza War. Their reporters documented urgent situations on the battlefield.

The New York Times was honored with the Best International Reporting Award for their extensive and insightful coverage of the Gaza conflict. The judges praised their reporting on Israeli intelligence failures and the military’s strong response.

Both Reuters and The Washington Post jointly received the Best Domestic Reporting Award. Reuters covered tech giant Elon Musk’s automotive and aerospace ventures, while The Washington Post provided thought-provoking reporting on AR-15 rifle-related investigations.

New York Times journalist Hannah Dreier received the Best Investigative Reporting Award for her in-depth exposé on child labor among immigrants across the United States, highlighting long-standing failures by corporations and government. The Associated Press was awarded the Feature Photography Award for their coverage of Latin American immigrants’ arduous journey to the United States.

Russian-American journalist Vladimir Kara-Murza, despite being imprisoned, continued to publish passionate columns through The Washington Post, earning the Best Commentary Award. The judges commended his resilience in writing critical pieces about Russian President Putin’s opponents and his unwavering commitment to democracy.

The Lookout Santa Cruz, a local publication, received the Best Breaking News Reporting Award for their detailed and flexible community reporting during a weekend holiday event involving flooding and landslides.

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Paris on the afternoon of the 5th, embarking on a state visit to France. This marks Xi’s return to Europe after a five-year absence. One of the critical objectives of this visit is to break down the joint European and American resistance and ease the economic and trade tensions with the European Union regarding electric vehicle subsidies.

Regarding Sino-French relations, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized the need to consider Europe’s strategic interests when determining the extent to which it should open its markets to China. He advocated for building an economic relationship based on mutual benefit.

France’s stance leans toward maintaining relationships with both the United States and China, rather than allowing either side to dominate its relations.

However, an editorial in the French newspaper “Le Monde” analyzed Xi Jinping’s intentions as potentially undermining transatlantic relations. Macron should not harbor illusions about Xi; while dialogue with China is necessary, treating Xi as a friend may not be prudent.