Yet Another Car Ramming

Hi Global Recap readers,

Another tragic car ramming incident in Germany, and once again, the perpetrator was a failed asylum seeker, only adding more fuel to the anti-immigration fire.

What’s making this even more infuriating for many is the politicians' response. Sadly, this isn’t the first time such an incident has happened in the country. 👇️ 

Also, thank you for such huge turnout in the recent poll regarding DOGE! I had no idea it was so well-known outside of the US.

🇩🇪 GERMANY
Afghan Asylum Seeker
Rams Car Into a Crowd

At least 30 people were injured when a car driven by an Afghan asylum seeker plowed into a crowd in Munich on Thursday.

This is adding fuel to the fire for many in the West who are growing louder about rejecting unchecked illegal immigration and asylum claims.

The Incident

An Afghan asylum seeker drove a white Mini Cooper into a crowd during a transport workers' union rally on Dachauer Strasse at around 10:30 local time (09:30 GMT) on Thursday.

• The car sped up and rammed into people, injuring at least 30 individuals, some seriously.

• One shot was fired at the driver, a 24-year-old Afghan named Farhad Noori, who was detained by the police.

Political Reactions

The incident has prompted a range of political responses and security concerns.

• Bavarian interior minister Joachim Herrmann confirmed the suspect's past offenses and his rejected asylum application.

• Conservative chancellor hopeful Friedrich Merz emphasized law and order, declaring safety as his top priority.

• Bavarian state premier Markus Söder said, “It was probably an attack.”

• The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party leader Alice Weidel went on X to question why the rejected Afghan was not deported in the first place.

Context and Consequences

This is nothing new for Germany. It’s just another addition to a growing list of recent violent incidents involving immigrants, fueling tensions ahead of the upcoming election.

• Less than two months ago, an attack on a Christmas market in Magdeburg killed six and injured 300.

• Just a few days ago, a knife attack in Aschaffenburg killed 2 people, including a 2-year-old boy.

🇹🇼 TAIWAN
Gas Explosion at
Taichung Mall

Honestly, just looking at the footage, you might think it’s just another rocket attack on a building—sadly, scenes like this have become all too familiar in 2025.

But what we know so far is that it was a gas explosion at Taichung’s Shin Kong Mitsukoshi mall, leaving four dead and dozens injured.

Shocking Blast

The incident happened on February 13, 2025.

• The explosion occurred at 11:30 AM on the 12th floor.

• Multiple cameras caught the scene—shattered floor-to-ceiling windows, chaos, and debris scattered everywhere.

Casualty Details

• Four fatalities confirmed, with one more person “without vital signs.”

• A two-year-old girl was miraculously rescued after being classified as out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.

Eyewitness Accounts

Local residents and shoppers shared their experiences.

• Mr. Liao Yu-fu, awakened by the blast, described it as a “plane hitting a house.”

• An unnamed woman thought it was an earthquake as she navigated broken glass on every floor.

Cause and Aftermath

The explosion resulted from a gas leak.

• A gas tank replacement in the food court is suspected to be the cause.

• Mayor Lu Shiow-yen assured the public of ongoing rescue operations.

🇺🇸 UNITED STATES
Trump to Expand
Tariffs Globally

President Trump has unleashed a new plan to rejig global tariffs, hoping to level the playing field for American industries.

Trump’s Big Move

President Trump announced a plan to impose “reciprocal” tariffs on a global scale.

• The plan aims to adjust US tariff levels to match those imposed by other countries.

• This change could overhaul decades-old global trading norms.

• Trump insists this will correct “unfair” trade relationships and boost US manufacturing.

• The aim is to compel companies to manufacture more within the US. If you build your product in the US, you avoid these tariffs—simple as that.

The End of WTO Norms?

This move could rewrite the global trading rulebook.

• For 75 years, tariff levels have been negotiated at bodies like the World Trade Organization (WTO).

• Trump’s plan would sideline these talks, letting the US set its own rules.

• Timothy Brightbill, a trade law attorney at Wiley Rein, described the new tariff system as “a fundamental change to US trade policy.”

• Chad Bown, a senior fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, noted it would breach WTO commitments by applying different tariffs to different countries.

Rapid Implementation

For anyone worried this is happening immediately, here’s some good news—it’s just a plan for now.

• Commerce Secretary nominee Howard Lutnick said measures could be ready by April 2.

• Jamieson Greer, Trump’s pick for trade representative, will help oversee the plan.

• Countries’ tariffs, taxes, subsidies, and exchange rates will influence new US tariffs.

Global Reactions

This also means other countries will get a chance to negotiate on the new tariffs.

• This could particularly affect India, Japan, and the European Union.

• Peter Navarro criticized Europe’s VAT as unfair, calling it the “poster child” for unjust trade.

Broader Trade Impacts

The reciprocal tariffs could extend Trump’s trade fights to new fronts.

• The US recently imposed 25% tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum.

• Further measures on cars, pharmaceuticals, chips, and other goods are under discussion.

Economic Consequences

Trump acknowledged that prices might rise but promised they would eventually drop.

• He argued that the plan would lead to more jobs and benefit the US economy in the long run.

• Experts, however, caution that currency movements could offset the impact on the trade deficit.

• There are two opposing takes on this.

  • One side argues it’ll drive ongoing inflation, while the other insists it’s just a one-time tax hit.

  • Since taxes reduce consumer spending, the long-term effect could actually be deflationary.

  • Trump also argues that deflationary moves, like boosting oil production to increase supply, will help counter any price impacts, if any exists.

I guess we will have to see.

🇮🇳 INDIA
MAGA + MIGA

Prime Minister Modi's official US visit, which started on Thursday, was all about launching his version of “Make America Great Again” (MAGA).

He calls it “Make India Great Again” (MIGA). And in his words, MAGA + MIGA is a “mega partnership for prosperity.”

I swear politicians are just slapping that motto everywhere. 😂

Doubling Trade by 2030

The two leaders set an ambitious $500 billion trade target by 2030, doubling the current trade volume of $129.2 billion in 2024.

• Modi emphasized the collaboration to finalize a mutually beneficial trade agreement soon.

Energy Cooperation

Energy security was also a hot topic.

• Trump emphasized restoring the US as a leading supplier of oil and gas to India.

• Modi reaffirmed India’s commitment to investing in renewable energy and nuclear technology.

Defense Collaboration

Defense ties remain a cornerstone, with big plans ahead.

• Modi announced the launch of an Autonomous Systems Industry Alliance.

• Discussions are ongoing for the potential sale of F-35 fighter jets to India.