Was Trump serious all along?

Hi Global Recap readers,

We're wrapping up the week with some wild stories:

• 🇺🇸 Trump reportedly suggested to Trudeau that they revisit the 1908 border treaty.

• 🇵🇱 Poland is set to introduce mandatory military training for all adult men.

• 🇨🇳 US Army soldiers with Chinese names were caught working for their contacts in China, raising some heated and controversial questions.

• 🇺🇦 Zelenskyy is pushing for a truce.

• 🇨🇳 China has slapped tariffs on Canada, with a 100% duty on certain products.

🇨🇦 CANADA
Trump May
Have Been Serious

Alright, this one might be controversial because, on the surface, it sounds like a tinfoil. But it’s coming from the New York Times…

I will let you read first, so you can decide.

The February Calls

It all began with two calls on February 3, 2025, between Trump and Trudeau. What was supposed to be about tariffs turned into Trump questioning the validity of the 1908 border treaty and suggesting a revision.

• Trump also criticized Canada’s protected dairy sector and consumption taxes.

• He proposed revisiting agreements on shared lakes and rivers.

• Trudeau managed to delay tariffs for a month, but they came into effect on March 4.

Trudeau’s Accusation

On March 7, Trudeau publicly accused Trump of trying to “collapse the Canadian economy” to make annexation easier.

• Trudeau called Trump’s justification for tariffs “bogus” and “completely false.”

• Canada retaliated with its own tariffs, escalating the trade war.

Annexation Fears Grow

Canadian officials are increasingly alarmed by Trump’s rhetoric and actions.

• Trump has hinted at using “economic force” to annex Canada.

• Discussions about removing Canada from the Five Eyes intelligence alliance have surfaced.

• Trump is also reportedly reviewing military cooperation agreements, including NORAD.

Tinfoil or Nah?

• Some people online are dismissing the New York Times report as pure conspiracy because it relies on "four people with firsthand knowledge of the content" and is published by the Times.

• But others strongly believe the story is accurate and view it as potentially devastating for both countries involved.

What’s your take? Do you think the report holds weight?

🇵🇱 POLAND
Mandatory Military
Training for Men

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has announced plans to introduce mandatory military training for all adult men, citing growing security concerns in the region.

The Big Announcement

In a speech to the Polish parliament on March 7, 2025, Tusk revealed the government’s plan to prepare every adult male in Poland for potential wartime scenarios.

• The goal is to train men to become competent soldiers, even if they don’t join the army.

• A detailed model for this training is expected by the end of the year.

• Women may also be included, though Tusk noted that “war is still to a greater extent the domain of men.”

Locational Context

Poland's location explains a lot about its concerns. With Kaliningrad as a Russian exclave on one side and Belarus, a close Russian ally, on the other, there's plenty of reason for the anxiety.

• Poland aims to increase its army size, including reservists, to 500,000 from the current 200,000.

• Tusk also highlighted the disparity in military strength, with Ukraine having 800,000 soldiers and Russia 1.3 million.

Nuclear Ambitions

Tusk also hinted at Poland’s interest in nuclear weapons, though he acknowledged the challenges.

• He pointed out that Ukraine was invaded after giving up its nuclear arsenal.

• Poland is exploring France’s nuclear umbrella proposal but wants clarity on control over these weapons.

Defense Spending Surge

Poland is already leading NATO in defense spending, allocating 4.7% of its GDP this year, with plans to increase it to 5%.

• Recent arms deals include $20 billion worth of equipment from the US, such as Abrams tanks, F-35 jets, and Apache helicopters.

• Contracts with South Korea for K2 tanks and FA-50 aircraft are also in place.

Public Reaction

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among Poles.

• Some see it as a necessary step for national security.

• Others worry about the implications of mandatory training and increased militarization.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump Threatens
Russia with Sanctions

Trump took to Truth Social on March 7, 2025, to announce his plans for expanded sanctions and tariffs on Russia.

First, we’ve got to ask:

• What’s behind Russia’s sudden heavy assault on Ukraine?

• What’s Zelenskyy response?

Massive Attack

Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on March 7, 2025, aiming to disrupt essential services and weaken civilian morale.

• Nearly 70 missiles and 200 drones were used in the attack.

• The strikes caused significant damage to energy facilities, affecting electricity, heating, and water supplies.

• Ukrainian officials accused Russia of “weaponizing winter” to break civilian resilience.

US Intel Halt

Russia’s massive strike didn’t happen by chance.

• But the US just cut off intelligence sharing with Ukraine, leaving them blind on both offense (limited access to satellite images) and defense (lack of advanced warning system for drone and missile attacks).

• Don’t forget, Russia often strikes Ukraine with Iranian Shahed drones.

• This raises a question—are we already seeing the effects of the US cutting off intel in the war?

Zelenskyy’s Response

In response to Russia's "massive attack" on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, civilian areas, and other key sites, President Zelenskyy took to X, calling for a truce.

He is demanding the following.

• Silence in the skies: Ban missiles, long-range drones, and bombs.

• Silence at sea: Ensure real guarantees for safe navigation.

Mixed Reaction

President Zelenskyy and President Trump are sparking mixed reactions.

• Many are calling out Zelenskyy for only pushing for peace now, after losing US intel and material support.

• On the other hand, critics are blaming Trump for creating the conditions that exposed Ukraine’s defenses, allowing Putin to strike through the gaps.

Sanctions Strategy

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is backing Trump’s tough sanctions strategy, believing it will be a departure from the approach of the previous administration.

• Bessent accused the Biden administration of imposing “weak sanctions” on Russia’s energy sector.

• He claimed Biden’s softer stance allowed Russia to finance its war machine.

• Bessent promised to use sanctions for “immediate maximum impact” in peace negotiations.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Soldiers Accused of Spying

Three US soldiers—two active-duty and one former—have been arrested for allegedly passing classified military data to contacts in China.

The accusations include sharing sensitive missile-launcher technology and other military secrets.

The Arrests

The arrests took place on Thursday, March 6, 2025, involving two soldiers stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington and a former soldier in Oregon.

• Sgt. Jian Zhao allegedly handed over 20 government hard drives, some marked “secret.”

• 1st Lt. Li Tian is accused of conspiring with ex-soldier Ruoyu Duan to steal and sell sensitive data.

The Stolen Secrets

The stolen information reportedly included details about US weapons systems and military exercises.

• Documents on missile-launcher technology were among the stolen items.

• Sensitive data on Bradley and Stryker armored vehicles was also compromised.

Links to China

While the final recipients of the stolen data remain unnamed, officials have linked the thefts to Beijing.

• Duan allegedly received payments from unnamed Chinese contacts.

• The FBI and attorney general’s office are leading the investigation.

🇨🇳 CHINA
China Hits Back with Tariffs

If you thought the US was the only one hitting Canada with tariffs, think again. It looks like China saw what Trump was doing and thought, “Maybe I should do that to…”

The Retaliation

China has announced new tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products, effective March 20.

• A 100% tariff will apply to Canadian rapeseed oil, oil cakes, and pea imports.

• A 25% duty will target Canadian aquatic products and pork.

The Backstory

This move comes in response to Canada’s October 2024 tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs), steel, and aluminum.

• Canada’s tariffs included a 100% levy on Chinese EVs and a 25% duty on steel and aluminum.

• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau justified these measures as a counter to China’s “state-directed policy of over-capacity.”

The Bigger Picture

China’s Ministry of Commerce criticized Canada’s actions as “protectionist” and a violation of World Trade Organization rules.

• China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, though it lags far behind the US.

• This trade spat adds another layer to the ongoing global trade tensions.