Trump goes full Taken

Hi Global Recap readers,

Weekends felt pretty uneventful under Biden, aside from some geopolitical drama. It was quite relaxing actually.

Now, it’s like a nonstop fist fight everywhere—Trump’s launching airstrikes on ISIS, slapping tariffs left and right, and kicking off trade wars. Meanwhile, Elon Musk somehow gets DOGE taking control of the US Treasury payment systems.

My mind actually feels fried. 🥲

Still, as always, we aimed to keep the news digestible while keeping you in the loop on everything happening online about these events. 👇️

🇨🇦🇲🇽 CANADA & MEXICO
Trump the Tariff Man

President Trump has decided to hit the brakes on his tariffs against Canada and Mexico, giving them a 30-day reprieve while negotiations continue.

US tariffs on China, however, remain set to take effect.

Canada

Initially, Canada hit back at Trump with its own retaliatory tariffs, but the FX markets didn’t take it well, as Canada relies considerably more on the US than the US does on them.

• In exchange for halting the tariffs, Trudeau vowed to have nearly 10,000 personnel will be involved in border protection.

• A new “fentanyl czar” will be appointed, and a Canada-US Joint Strike Force will be launched to combat organized crime, fentanyl, and money laundering.

• Trudeau also signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl backed by $200 million.

Mexico

However, Mexico, more dependent on US exports than Canada, struck a deal with Trump first.

• President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that she will be immediately deploying 10,000 troops to the US-Mexico border to prevent drug trafficking from Mexico to the US.

• And within minutes of the announcement, Mexico arrested El Ricky, the leader of Cartel Del Noreste infamous for their drug trafficking activity at the border.

Market Reaction

The US stock market tumbled in overnight trading, with Nvidia—the darling of the US market—sliding another 6% after it had already suffered the biggest one-day market cap loss in US history last week.

• Initially, Canadian Dollar hit a two-decade low and Mexican Peso hit a 3-year low.

• However, losses in the FX and stock markets softened as news of the pauses began making headlines.

Public Reaction

It wasn’t only the markets that reacted. Canadian fans at an NHL game also started booing loudly when the US national anthem was being sung.

China

Although the tariffs imposed on China is still in place, President Trump is set to speak with China’s Xi Jinping as soon as this week.

Ecuador

And out of the blue on Monday, Ecuador also announced tariffs of their own—27% tariff on Mexican goods to “ensure fair treatment” of Ecuadorian producers.

Trump's View

Trump has been vocal about his frustrations with Canada and Mexico, accusing them of not doing enough to stop illegal drugs and migrants.

• The US has, according to Trump, been subsidizing Canada to the tune of $200 billion annually.

• China is also known to be responsible for shipping chemicals used to make Fentanyl to Mexico, where cartels produce fentanyl and smuggle it into the United States. Some go to Canada as well.

🇸🇴 SOMALIA
US Airstrikes Target ISIS
+
Liam Neeson Reference?

Over the weekend, the US has launched airstrikes against IS fighters in Somalia, marking the first such attacks during President Donald Trump's second term.

The strikes, directed by Trump and coordinated with Somalia's government, targeted IS operatives in the semi-autonomous Puntland region.

The Strikes

The airstrikes were conducted by US Africa Command.

• The strikes took place on Saturday, February 1, 2025.

• An initial Pentagon assessment indicated that “multiple” IS operatives were killed.

• The Pentagon reported no civilian casualties.

Here are the declassified videos of the strikes Trump released:

Trump's Statement

Trump announced the strikes on social media. True to his style, Trump took to social media and posted:

• He stated that a senior IS planner and recruits were targeted.

• Trump emphasized that the strikes destroyed the caves where the terrorists lived.

• He criticized the previous administration for not acting quickly enough.

• Of course, what stands out is the President of the United States directly posting on social media: “WE WILL FIND YOU, AND WE WILL KILL YOU!” Direct reference to this famous scene from Taken?

🇵🇦 PANAMA
Panama Ends Belt and Road

But that’s not all from Trump and his team on the weekend.

Panama has decided to cut ties with China’s Belt and Road Initiative after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio made a visit to Panama City.

Some call it a big win for Trump, while his critics slam him for stirring up chaos.

Panama’s Decision

Panama will not renew its agreement with China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

• Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino announced the decision on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

• The 2017 trade and development pact with China will expire.

• Mulino is exploring options to end the agreement sooner than the one or two years it may take.

US Pressure

The decision follows months of pressure from the US.

• Trump threatened to take back the Panama Canal, claiming “American ships are being severely overcharged.”

• He accused China of operating the crucial waterway.

Seeking US Investment

But of course, Panama is now looking to the US for infrastructure investment. Something has to replace China’s Belt and Road Initiative, right?

• Mulino expressed interest in US investment during a press conference.

• He emphasized that the canal’s sovereignty remains under Panama.

🇷🇺 RUSSIA
Moscow Bomb Kills
Paramilitary Leader

A bomb explosion in Moscow has killed Armen Sarkisyan, a pro-Russia paramilitary leader from eastern Ukraine, along with his bodyguard.

The Incident

The bomb detonated just as Sarkisyan and his bodyguards entered the lobby.

• The explosion happened on Monday, February 3, 2025.

• Sarkisyan was taken to the hospital in critical condition but later succumbed to his injuries.

• His bodyguard was killed instantly.

Here’s the aftermath of the incident:

The Target

Sarkisyan was a significant figure in the pro-Russia paramilitary movement.

• He was the founder of a battalion fighting against Ukraine.

• Sarkisyan was also the head of the boxing federation in Russian-occupied Donetsk.

• He had a long history of aiding pro-Russia forces in Ukraine.

The Attack

The bomb was likely hidden in a couch at the building’s entrance.

• It was detonated remotely, with the attacker waiting for Sarkisyan to enter the lobby.

• No group has claimed responsibility for the blast.

• Russian security services described it as a targeted and “well-planned” assassination.

Background

Sarkisyan had a controversial past.

• He was wanted in Ukraine for violence against pro-EU protesters during the Maidan uprising in 2014.

• Sarkisyan was born to Armenian parents in Horlivka, a city in Ukraine’s Donetsk region occupied by Russia since 2014.

• He recruited fellow ethnic Armenians for his battalion, which numbered about 500 soldiers.

Implications

• It marks the latest operation by Ukraine’s SBU security service deep behind enemy lines.

• The assassination is seen as a message to the Russian elite that they are not safe anywhere.

📊 Poll

Normally, a foreign state carrying out such an assassination would be labeled an act of terrorism. But some argue that since the two nations are at war, it’s just part of the conflict.

What do you think?

🇸🇾 SYRIA
Car Bomb Attack in Manbij

A car bomb explosion in Manbij, Syria, has claimed the lives of at least 20 people, marking the deadliest attack since Bashar al-Assad was toppled from power in December.

Tragic Attack

It marked the second attack in three days.

• The blast took place on Monday, February 3, 2025, and left 20 dead, including 14 women, and 15 women injured.

• The victims were primarily agricultural workers.

• The death toll is expected to rise.

• Previously on February 1, 2025, a car bomb in Manbij also killed four civilians and wounded nine others.

Presidential Response

The Syrian presidency has vowed to hold the perpetrators accountable.

• A statement from the presidency promised “the most severe punishment” for the attackers.

• Emphasized the need to maintain security and protect the Syrian people.