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05 Feb 2025 — 5 min read

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Yesterday, February 4th, 2025, China announced new tariffs on U.S. goods in direct response to the Trump administration’s additional 10% tariffs on all Chinese imports, which also took effect the same day. China imposed a 15% tariff on U.S. coal and liquefied natural gas, along with a 10% tariff on crude oil, agricultural machinery, and large-engine vehicles. These new tariffs target key American exports while signaling China’s willingness to escalate trade tensions if necessary.
Tariffs have been a central issue in U.S.-China trade relations for years, with tensions escalating during the Trump administration’s first term. In 2018, Trump launched similar tariffs on Chinese goods, citing unfair trade practices and intellectual property theft. China retaliated with its own tariffs, targeting American agriculture and manufacturing.
While both countries signed the Phase One trade deal in 2020, which reduced some tariffs, the broader trade war never fully ended. Under the Biden administration, most Trump-era tariffs remained in place, and China continued to impose countermeasures. With Trump’s return to office and the reintroduction of sweeping tariffs, China has once again responded with targeted economic measures, continuing the cycle of trade disputes between the world’s two largest economies.

Economics & Markets:

Geopolitics & Military Activity:

Yesterday, February 4, 2025, President Donald Trump announced that the United States intends to take control of the Gaza Strip to oversee its reconstruction and redevelopment. Speaking at the White House alongside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump outlined his vision to transform Gaza into an economic hub.

He stated that U.S. involvement would bring long-term stability to the region and stated that the Palestinian population will be resettled in neighboring countries such as Egypt and Jordan to facilitate redevelopment. Trump also indicated that U.S. military forces will be deployed if necessary to support the reconstruction efforts, emphasizing that American leadership in the region was essential for securing peace and economic growth.

Environment & Weather:

Yesterday, February 4, 2025, Japan’s Tokachi region experienced record-breaking snowfall, with Obihiro City receiving 1.29 meters (4 feet) of snow in just 12 hours. This extreme weather event set a new national record for the highest snowfall in such a short period and was nearly three times the city’s average February snowfall of 37 centimeters (14.5 inches).

The heavy snow caused widespread disruptions across Hokkaido. Major highways and roads were shut down, train services were halted, and flights were canceled due to thick snow accumulating on runways. Around 370 schools closed for the day, and delivery services faced significant delays. Authorities urged residents to take precautions and carry emergency supplies in their vehicles. With forecasts predicting an additional 50 centimeters (19.5 inches) of snow in the following 24 hours, officials remained on high alert for further disruptions.

Security:

In October 2024, Globe Life confirmed a data breach from earlier in the year, revealing that hackers had stolen sensitive customer information and attempted to extort the company. The breach was originally discovered in June 2024 and was initially believed to affect around 5,000 individuals. Hackers accessed a company web portal, stealing names, contact details, Social Security numbers, health records, and policy information. The attackers later demanded a ransom, threatening to release the stolen information if the company refused to pay.
By January 2025, further investigation revealed the breach was far more extensive, potentially impacting an around 850,000 individuals through compromised databases managed by independent agency owners. Globe Life reported the incident to law enforcement, reinforced its cybersecurity measures, and offered credit monitoring to affected customers. The attack underscores the growing threat of cybercriminals targeting insurance institutions, using stolen data as leverage in ransom demands.

Space:

Yesterday, February 4, 2025, the global space industry saw four major launches from the United States and Russia. SpaceX conducted two missions, beginning with a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket launching 21 Starlink satellites from Cape Canaveral, expanding its satellite internet constellation. Later, another Falcon 9 mission from Kennedy Space Center successfully deployed Maxar’s WorldView Legion 5 and 6 Earth observation satellites, which will enhance geospatial imaging and remote sensing capabilities.

Blue Origin also carried out a suborbital mission with its New Shepard NS-29 rocket from West Texas. This uncrewed flight carried multiple scientific and research payloads, furthering experiments and technology demonstrations for future space applications.

In Russia, the Ministry of Defense launched a Soyuz 2.1v rocket from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome. The mission, labeled Cosmos, carried an undisclosed military payload, following Russia’s tradition of secrecy in defense-related space operations. These four launches highlight the continued expansion of satellite technology, scientific research, and defense applications in space, demonstrating the increasing role of both commercial and governmental entities in global space activity.

Statistic: