Hello, HI UNPAR friends! The international community once again witnessed various interesting developments this week, ranging from trade wars to conflicts and natural disasters.
This week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that Canada will impose retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports starting September 8, following the U.S. decision to impose 50 percent tariffs. Canada stated that changing U.S. demands had made further trade negotiations impossible. The retaliatory tariffs will target several sectors, including steel, dairy products, electronics, and agricultural equipment.
Meanwhile, 20 deportees from the United States arrived in Liberia under an agreement that could allow up to 1,200 people to be sent to the country. Most of the deportees were reportedly involved in immigration violations and came from various countries. The U.S. also provided US$124 million in assistance to Liberia.
In Europe, a Russian drone strike in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, killed at least 15 people and injured around 130 others. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as a heinous act. A second strike occurred as emergency responders arrived at the scene, which Zelenskyy described as a deliberate attempt to target rescue workers.
Meanwhile, South Korea sent its first container ship through the Arctic route to Europe as an alternative shipping route amid conflicts in the Middle East. The route could shorten the journey by approximately 7,000 km and 10 days compared to the Suez Canal route. However, the route has raised concerns over its potential to accelerate the melting of Arctic ice.
Relations in Asia also continued to develop. China and Indonesia agreed to expand cooperation in trade, artificial intelligence, and defense. The agreement was discussed during the first meeting of the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue mechanism in Jakarta. Both countries also encouraged progress toward an ASEAN-China Code of Conduct to prevent conflicts in the South China Sea. Defense cooperation will also be strengthened through joint military exercises.
In addition, the European Union and Indonesia are currently processing the ratification of the IEU-CEPA, which is targeted for implementation in early 2027. The agreement is expected to reduce export tariffs and encourage investment across various sectors. The European Union is also prepared to support Indonesia’s renewable energy development through JETP funding.
In Indonesia, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) killed at least 68 people and received offers of assistance from China, Iran, Canada, the European Union, South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, and the United States. In addition to the earthquake, Indonesia also faced forest fires in Kalimantan, which produced haze affecting Singapore and Malaysia. Singaporean and Malaysian media highlighted thousands of hotspots in West Kalimantan and worsening air quality in border areas. A total of 591 schools in Sarawak, Malaysia, were temporarily closed after air quality reached the “very unhealthy” category.
Sources:
“China, Indonesia FMs hold first Comprehensive Strategic Dialogue”. NHK World Japan. 22 Agustus 2026. https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20260822_06/.
Diahwahyuningtyas, Alicia., dan Irawan Sapto Adhi. “Media Malaysia dan Singapura Ramai Soroti Karhutla Kalimantan, Asap Paksa Ratusan Sekolah Tutup”. Kompas.com. 21 Agustus 2026. https://www.kompas.com/tren/read/2026/08/21/130100765/media-malaysia-dan-singapura-ramai-soroti-karhutla-kalimantan-asap-paksa?page=all.
Fauziyah, Najla Nur. “Which Countries Have Offered Help to Indonesia After M7.7 Flores Quake?”. Tempo English. 18 Agustus 2026. https://en.tempo.co/read/2117754/which-countries-have-offered-help-to-indonesia-after-m7-7-flores-quake.
Gedeon, Joseph. “US deports 20 people to Liberia, the first of 1,200 migrants under Trump deal”. The Guardian. 20 Agustus 2026. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/20/liberia-deportation-agreement.
Macias, Miguel. “Hours after U.S. imposes tariffs, Canada says it’ll strike back starting Sept. 8”. npr. 23 August 2026. https://www.npr.org/2026/08/22/nx-s1-5941584/us-canada-tariffs.
Reuters. “‘Despicable’ Russian attack on shopping centre in Ukraine’s Kryvyi Rih kills at least 15, wounds 130 others”. ABC News. 24 Agustus 2026. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-22/six-dead-in-ukraine-shopping-centre-attack/107066370.
Sinaga, Tatang Mulyana. “RI-Uni Eropa Siap Perkuat Kerja Sama Digitalisasi dan Transisi Energi”. Kompas.id. 19 Agustus 2026. https://www.kompas.id/artikel/uni-eropa-siap-perkuat-kerja-sama-digitalisasi-dan-transisi-energi-dengan-indonesia?open_from=Internasional_Page.
“South Korea sends first container ship through Arctic route”. CNA. 22 Agustus 2026. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/south-korea-container-ship-arctic-route-6335006.