US State Department:

The United States is aware of reports that Ukraine captured two Chinese citizens fighting on behalf of Russia. The reports are disturbing.

Qatargate: Israel’s Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Prime Minister Netanyahu’s attempt to dismiss Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, following petitions from opposition parties.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan:

Ankara possesses intelligence reports indicating the involvement of certain countries in the recent events along the Syrian coast.

These reports are currently under analysis.

Meanwhile in Gaza: Israel continues airstrikes.

Trump:

We need more than double the electricity we have now.

Trump:

Germany went green, very green. They went so green they almost went out of business. They went to wind, the wind wasn’t blowing too much.

At least a dozen House Republicans are considering signing onto the bill to restrict Trump's ability to impose tariffs unilaterally.

Source: Axios

Trump claims the U.S. is collecting $2 billion a day from tariffs.

Fire in Dnipro, Ukraine as a result of Russian kamikaze drone attacks.

President Trump signs executive order effectively increasing tariffs on China to 104%.

Donald Trump's 104% tariffs on China and other tariffs on 'worst offenders' went into effect this morning.

Trump has enacted sweeping new tariffs, marking the most aggressive U.S. trade policy shift in over a century.

These measures target countries with trade surpluses with the U.S., sparking global economic tension.

Top Tariff Rates:

• China faces tariffs up to 104%
• Cambodia: 49%
• Vietnam: 46%
• European Union: 20%

A 10% baseline tariff applies to most U.S. trading partners.

• Yields on 30-year U.S. Treasuries surged over 20 basis points to 4.98%.
• Trump claims the U.S. is earning “$2 billion a day” from the tariffs.

Source: Bloomberg

U.S. commanders are concerned that the Pentagon will need to transfer long-range precision weapons from Asia to the Middle East in preparation for a possible conflict with China.

This is due to the United States' use of munitions in the Yemen bombing campaign.

"In just three weeks, the Pentagon has used $200 million worth of munitions" in Yemen. "The total cost could be well over $1 billion by next week." - (April 4)

According to a CNN report, since March 15, the United States has committed over $1 billion to bombing Yemen in support of Israeli interests.

Sources: NYT, CNN

Trump:

These countries are calling us up. Kissing my ass to make a deal. They are dying to make a deal.

Trump:

China will now pay a big number to our treasury. This is all taxes.

Macron on Gaza:

Two million people trapped with no access to aid or assistance. Tens of thousands of dead people. The wounded. Orphans.

This is the reality in Gaza today.

Hezbollah is ready to hold talks with the Lebanese president about its weapons if Israel withdraws from south Lebanon and stops its strikes.

“Hezbollah is ready to discuss the matter of its arms if Israel withdraws from the five points, and halts its aggression against Lebanese,” a senior Hezbollah official said.

The group suggests a willingness to transfer drones and anti-tank missiles north of the Litani River to the army.

Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem :

“There is still time for diplomatic solutions,” but warned, “the resistance is present and ready… [for] other options” if Israel fails to uphold the ceasefire.

Source: Reuters

In response to global tariffs implemented by the Trump administration, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez is promoting closer collaboration between the European Union and China.

“The situation with the US under Trump calls for everyone to adapt and see how trade relations are balanced,” Sanchez said.

Sanchez wants the EU to pivot toward China, describing the trip as a way to build “more balanced alliances” amid what he calls an “increasingly unreliable US”.

“One of the best ways to fight the tariff threat is by strengthening all sorts of relations and, in trade, China can play a huge role,” said Cristina Gallach, a former Spanish diplomat​.

Source: Bloomberg

Wagner intensifies its presence in the north of the Central African Republic

In a new phase of consolidation of its influence in the Central African Republic, the Russian paramilitary group Wagner has launched a recruitment campaign in the north of the country. The aim is to train young militiamen to consolidate its control and secure its strategic interests in the Vakaga prefecture, bordering Sudan and Chad.

Source: Africa Intelligence

U.S. Treasury Yields Spike

Recent trade tensions and investor unease have pushed U.S. Treasury yields sharply higher:

• 10-Year Yield: Surged past 4%, peaking at 4.21% — a 34 bps jump from recent lows, despite expectations of economic slowdown and Fed rate cuts.

• 30-Year Yield: Climbed over 50 bps during the week, reaching 4.72%, the highest since November 2023.

Why it matters:

• Trump’s new tariffs have shaken faith in Treasuries’ haven status, triggering selloffs in longer-dated bonds.

• Volatility is rippling through global markets, with bond yields rising in Australia, Japan, and Europe.

• Higher yields can raise mortgage rates, slow down the economy, and rattle markets worldwide.

• Some investors suspect that reserve giants like China may be rethinking their U.S. debt holdings amid Trump’s tariff shock. While such moves are rarely visible in real time, both China and Japan have already been quietly trimming their Treasuries.

• In a rare twist, the dollar fell even as yields rose, boosting traditional havens like the yen and Swiss franc, both up over 1%.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Panama to reaffirm cooperation on canal security, offering a softer stance than President Trump, who has called for the U.S. to "take back" the Panama Canal.

While Hegseth warned of Chinese influence through Hong Kong-based CK Hutchison Holdings Ltd., he emphasized partnership with Panama, not unilateral action.

“Together we will take back the canal from China’s influence,” Hegseth said, while praising Panama for taking the lead.

Source: Bloomberg