Rest of the World – Politics & Policy media

Tariffs as a Geopolitical Tool: The Intersection of Domestic Politics and Global Trade

Summary

Tariffs as Geopolitical Tools: Tariffs are increasingly used not only for economic protection but also for geopolitical strategy, influencing global trade and signalling national interests.
Chinese EV Industry Example: The EU and other countries are imposing or considering tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, citing unfair competition, while also protecting domestic industries from the rapid growth of China’s EV sector.
Domestic Political Motives: Tariffs often cater to domestic political considerations, such as protecting jobs and industries, as leaders seek to address public concerns and safeguard strategic sectors.
Impact on Global Trade: While tariffs may protect local industries, they risk disrupting international supply chains, increasing costs for consumers, and escalating global trade tensions.
Strategic Industries and Future Trends: Tariffs on key sectors like green energy and advanced technology are expected to grow, further entrenching protectionism and complicating global trade relations.

Media Choices in the 2024 Presidential Campaign Reflect a Changing Communications Landscape

Summary

The media landscape has shifted, with traditional news outlets losing influence and alternative platforms like podcasts and social media gaining prominence.
Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump are adopting multi-platform strategies to target specific voter demographics, particularly those disengaged from traditional media.
Harris’s media appearances on podcasts like Call Her Daddy and talk shows aim to reach young, female, and minority voters with tailored messaging.
Trump is focusing on podcasts hosted by influencers to connect with younger, male audiences, using their platforms to bypass traditional political news channels.
The shift in campaign strategies reflects the declining trust in traditional media, signalling the growing importance of personalised, direct engagement through alternative media.

When Politicians and Food Don’t Mix: A Recipe for Awkwardness

The viral video of JD Vance’s awkward campaign stop at a donut shop sparked a lively discussion about food as a political prop. In politics, every gesture is scrutinised, every word dissected, and every bite savoured. Yet, despite the high stakes, politicians across the globe continue to venture into the treacherous territory of public dining as part of their electoral charm offensive. The result? Occasionally, it’s less of a gourmet experience and more of a farce.

Navigating the Backlash Against Mass Tourism: briefing note

In recent years, the growing backlash against mass tourism has become a significant issue for many of the world’s top travel destinations. Cities and countries that have long benefited economically from tourism are now grappling with its negative consequences, from environmental degradation to social tensions. In response, many local governments have implemented measures to curb overtourism, such as banning short-term rentals, imposing higher tourism taxes, and limiting the number of cruise ships allowed to dock. These actions, while necessary to protect local communities and ecosystems, have also brought new challenges, particularly in the realm of local politics.

Far-right violence in the UK: situation brief

Summary

Recent riots in England, triggered by a mass stabbing in Southport, have been driven by far-right groups and exacerbated by misinformation and xenophobic rhetoric.
Public figures associated with the far-right like Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage have been accused of inflaming tensions, with Farage questioning the authorities’ transparency and Robinson criticising government and police responses.
Refugees have been targeted in the violence, with far-right protesters attacking hotels housing asylum seekers and using nationalist slogans to incite further unrest. Muslims have also been significant targets, facing Islamophobic slurs and violent actions, particularly outside places of worship during protests.
Authorities and community leaders are working to restore order and promote social cohesion, but the persistence of far-right rhetoric remains a significant challenge to these efforts.

The Trump-Vance Ticket — populist economics to the fore : situation update

Summary

The selection of JD Vance as Donald Trump’s vice-presidential nominee signals a potential shift or reinforcement of certain economic and trade policies.
Vance, known for his populist stances and advocacy for the working class, aligns closely with many of Trump’s economic viewpoints.
This partnership likely suggests a future direction characterised by protectionist trade policies and a focus on reviving American manufacturing.
It indicates a strong desire among the electorate for policies that reclaim economic sovereignty, which is also reflected by the overlap between populist right and left economic policies

Situation brief: Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024

Summary

Necessity for Fiscal Reforms: Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024 aims to address fiscal deficits through tax reforms and align with IMF-supported economic stability measures.
Strong Public Opposition: The Bill has sparked widespread protests, reflecting deep dissatisfaction among Kenyans due to increased costs of living and perceived punitive tax measures.
Government Advocacy vs. Public Sentiment: President Ruto promotes the bill as essential for economic health, contrasting sharply with the negative public perception and overwhelming opposition revealed in polls.
Government Response to Protests: In response to intense public backlash, the government amended the Bill to remove some controversial taxes, highlighting the impact of civic engagement on policy.
Protest violence: Protests against Kenya’s Finance Bill 2024 have intensified, resulting in violent confrontations between the police and demonstrators, predominantly young adults. The police response, involving tear gas, water cannons, and live ammunition, has led to numerous injuries and arrests, and notably, one fatality.
Lessons on Public Policy: The situation underscores the importance of public buy-in for successful policy implementation, effective communication, and balancing international standards with local economic realities.

Chinese electric vehicles & soft power: situation update

Summary

Tariff Increase: The Biden administration is set to increase tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) from 25% to potentially 100%, significantly raising the cost of Chinese EVs in the US market.
Geopolitical Strategy: This move aims to curtail China’s dominance in the global EV market and protect the nascent US clean energy sector from a flood of subsidised Chinese imports.
Domestic Industrial Policy: The tariffs are part of Biden’s broader strategy to boost American manufacturing, specifically in the EV and clean energy sectors, to ensure national security and economic growth.
Labour and Employment: The tariff policy is designed to support American jobs, particularly in the auto industry, resonating with labour unions and blue-collar workers in key battleground states.
Electoral Strategy: With the 2024 presidential election approaching, Biden’s move to raise tariffs helps distinguish his trade policy from that of former President Trump, who has also advocated for high tariffs on Chinese goods.

Istanbul’s Mayoral Election: situational brief

Ekrem İmamoğlu has risen to prominence as the Mayor of Istanbul since 2019, with a background in business administration and human resource management from Istanbul University.
Despite facing legal challenges, including a conviction for “insulting electoral officials” that has not resulted in a political ban pending appeal, İmamoğlu’s popularity and leadership in Istanbul were reinforced by a wide-margin victory in the 2024 mayoral election.
İmamoğlu’s appeal across various voter demographics and his handling of Istanbul’s challenges has led to some considering him a potential future presidential candidate.
Istanbul has always been a crucial political battleground in Turkey, and Erdoğan’s own political career began with his tenure as the city’s mayor in the 1990s.