Chinese state media have announced that China, Japan, and South Korea have reached a consensus to jointly respond to the US's reciprocal tariffs. The three nations aim to facilitate regional trade.
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00:00Hello and welcome. I'm Geeta Mohan and you're watching World Today. A very happy Eid al-Fitr
00:21to all of you. We begin with some breaking news here on the network. As April 2nd deadline
00:28for Trump's reciprocal tariffs is nearing, Chinese state media has reported that China,
00:35Japan and South Korea have reached a consensus that the three countries will jointly respond
00:41to the U.S. reciprocal tariffs. The countries seek to facilitate regional trade in the face
00:47of Trump's tariff threats.
01:17And joining me now is our managing editor Gaurav Saravanth who tracks news very closely when it
01:33comes to U.S. and particularly to do with India, U.S. as well. But let's focus Gaurav first on
01:38what's happening when it comes to the United States of America. April 2nd is when we'll see
01:44reciprocal tariffs come in place. And just ahead of that, what are we seeing? We're looking at
01:49China engaging its betting wars in many ways than one, Japan and South Korea, forming a bloc. This
01:56is the first meeting in five years, a dialogue amongst these three countries when it comes to
02:02the economy, global economy and their own joint economies. What do you make of the conversations
02:10that are taking place amongst China, South Korea and Japan to counter Trump's tariffs?
02:16It's an amazing situation that's developing in the world and especially in this part of the world.
02:24The Chinese media has been talking about this first and a very important meeting that took
02:30place on Sunday. The first in five years of trade ministers of China, Japan and South Korea,
02:37often at loggerheads. But just now they found common cause in Trump tariff and how to take
02:44on Trump tariffs. Remember, both South Korea and Japan are amongst the largest car exporters,
02:51automobile exporters to the United States of America after Mexico. And they fear that they
02:59will face the brunt of Trump tariffs from the 2nd of April. So China, Japan, South Korea,
03:06they're talking about one closer trade and economic cooperation areas where they can
03:12upgrade their relationship. Semiconductors is one field, raw materials is another field. So
03:18they want to, amongst the three, have their own trade agreement that will be a win-win for China,
03:26Japan and South Korea. Perhaps sink some of the differences in a way to find common cause to
03:32battle Trump tariffs. Till the time a long-term solution can be found. But right now, it's a very
03:38tricky situation virtually for every country as the world braces for Trump tariffs that he calls
03:45Liberation Day on the 2nd of April. Well, again, you know, this is Trump upending all Washington's
03:53partnerships when it comes to trade with many countries, particularly when we talk about Japan
03:58and South Korea. And all of them coming together. But in all this, Gaurav, let's look at how it
04:02impacts India. India will be impacted come 2nd April because there was a delegation here in New
04:09Delhi. There were five-day conversations that took place, but no forward movement to really
04:16find a carve-out for India, a relief from these reciprocal tariffs. In such a scenario, India will
04:22also have to build resilience. How is India really going to do that? Is joining such a bloc a viable
04:29option or engaging each country individually? So far, India's approach has been extremely cautious.
04:38India is looking for an India-first situation or a win-win when it comes to India's engagement. So,
04:45perhaps not a part of a larger regional grouping, but India is individually engaging with all these
04:52countries to see how best a road ahead or a way forward can be found. By all accounts, India's
04:58engaging extensively with the United States of America on trade talks, perhaps seeking a waiver,
05:04seeking an extension, seeking that bilateral trade agreement until the bilateral trade agreement
05:09comes, perhaps an extension, an India-centric extension as far as US tariffs are concerned,
05:16those reciprocal tariffs. How much of it will come out? How much of these conversations will
05:21be taken forward? Because both India and the United States, one, on trade, America is looking
05:28for an America-first solution, India is looking for an India-first solution, and both Prime
05:33Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump are extremely tough negotiators looking for a win-win
05:38for their respective countries. But as they look for a win-win for respective countries,
05:42can there be a win-win for both remains the big question. Right. Gaurav, thank you so much for
05:49joining us with those details. Those are details that we'll be tracking very closely till April
05:552nd hits. Will there be a carve-out for India or not? But more importantly, how is this entire
06:01reciprocal tariff going to hit not just India, but the world as well? This time, it is Russia.
06:12Trump expresses ire and talks about secondary tariffs on Russia if talks fail. In a phone
06:18interview and later speaking to the media, President Trump expressed his anger for a
06:23possible temporary administration in Ukraine as suggested by President Putin. The US President
06:30believes Putin's suggestion could actually delay not just the peace deal, but also the US-Ukraine
06:36mineral deal. US President Donald Trump's love and not really hate policy towards his Russian
06:50counterpart Vladimir Putin seems to often confuse political pundits. As April 2nd approaches and
06:56countries with bated breath wait for the imposition of reciprocal tariff, here's another fresh salvo
07:02from Trump. In a phone interview, Trump expressed his grievance towards Putin. He was not happy the
07:08way Putin spoke about introducing a temporary administration in Ukraine. In principle, of
07:17course, it would be possible under the guidance of the UN, with the United States, even with European
07:22countries, and of course, with our partners and friends to discuss the possibility of introducing
07:28a temporary administration in Ukraine. For what? In order to hold democratic elections,
07:35in order to bring to power a viable government that enjoys the people's trust.
07:44In case the peace deal doesn't happen or if there's any delay,
07:48Trump is mulling over secondary sanctions against Russia.
07:51I think he'll be okay. But if he isn't, I was disappointed in a certain way,
07:57some of the things that were said over the last day or two having to do with
08:01Zelensky, because when he considers Zelensky not credible, he's supposed to be making a deal with
08:07him, whether you like it or you don't like it. So I wasn't happy with that. But I think he's going to
08:13be good. I certainly wouldn't want to put secondary tariffs on Russia, but if they were put on,
08:20it would not be very good for them. But this statement of Trump is in sharp
08:25contrast to his earlier stance in regards to elections in Ukraine.
08:30Well, we have a situation where we haven't had elections in Ukraine, where we have martial law,
08:37essentially martial law in Ukraine, where the leader in Ukraine, I mean, I hate to say it,
08:43but he's down at 4% approval rating, and where a country has been blown to smithereens. You got
08:50most of the cities are laying on their sides. The buildings are collapsed. It looks like a massive
08:57demolition site. Trump, however, didn't explain how he would implement the secondary tariffs.
09:03He expressed his willingness to speak to the Russian president this week
09:06if Putin did the right thing. Bureau Report, India Today.
09:12Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has drawn a red line. Khamenei says any military
09:18strike will be met with a forceful counterattack against the United States of America. Tehran has
09:24also cautioned that its underground missile city is ready to attack if Washington makes any hostile
09:31move. But now there's a new target in the crosshairs, British forces. A top Iranian military
09:37official has upped the stakes, saying British forces could also be caught in this crossfire.
09:43The target? Diego Garcia, an island thousands of miles away from Iran but home to a key US-UK
09:51military base. So is this just tough talk or are we on the brink of a military showdown? Our next report.
10:07The enmity from the US and Israel has always been there. They threaten to attack us,
10:12which we don't think is very probable. But if they commit any mischief,
10:17they will surely receive a strong reciprocal blow.
10:26A direct and dangerous warning from Iran. British forces could be in the crosshairs
10:45if Donald Trump launches a military strike against Tehran. A senior Iranian military official
10:52has made it clear any attack on Iran will be met with retaliation, including strikes
10:59on the joint UK-US base in the Chagos Islands. So how serious is this threat? What makes Diego
11:08Garcia, a remote island thousands of miles from Iran, such a crucial target? And with Trump ramping
11:16up pressure on Iran, is the world heading towards another military conflict? US President Donald
11:23Trump has once again put Iran on notice. We're going to make a decision on secondary tariffs on
11:30Iran based on whether or not they're going to make a deal. If they're going to make a deal,
11:34then we're never going to put secondary tariffs on them. We can hope they have a great,
11:40long and successful life as a country. But we'll see what happens. It's very,
11:48very interesting. I can't imagine them doing anything else but making a deal. I would prefer
11:54a deal to the other alternative, which I think everybody in this place knows what that is.
12:01And that's not going to be pretty. And I do not prefer that. Just days ago, he warned that Iran
12:07needs to make a deal over its nuclear program or face the consequences. But now, Iran is firing
12:14back, not with words, but with threats of military retaliation. A top Iranian military official has
12:23told The Telegraph that if Trump attacks, Iran will strike back, not just at the US, but also
12:31at British forces in Diego Garcia, a key naval base in the Indian Ocean.
12:37Diego Garcia is a tiny island in the Chagos archipelago, controlled by the UK, but home to
12:45a massive US military base. It has been used for launching airstrikes in Iraq and Afghanistan,
12:52and it houses some of the most advanced bombers in the world. This includes the B-2 Spirit,
12:59capable of carrying out deep strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. In Iran's eyes,
13:06this makes Diego Garcia a prime target. Iran is making it clear, if the US attacks,
13:14British troops won't be spared. Iranian state media has warned that Tehran could hit Diego
13:21Garcia with its long-range Khurramshahr missiles or Shaheed-136B Kamikaze drones,
13:29both of which have the range to reach the island. Iran has also listed several other military
13:35targets, including a US base in Bahrain. A senior advisor to Khamenei says Iran may be open to
13:43diplomacy, but only on its own terms. So far, neither side is backing down.
13:51Our position regarding negotiations is clear. We will never negotiate under pressure or threats.
13:57Negotiations must take place from a position of equality and not be conducted under pressure.
14:02Our stance on this matter is clear. Direct negotiations with America are rejected,
14:08but indirect negotiations with America have existed in the past,
14:11and even now, if necessary, indirect negotiations will be conducted.
14:17Trump wants a nuclear deal. Iran warns guarantees that sanctions will be lifted.
14:24And now, with threats of military action in the air, the world is left wondering. Iran's warning
14:31has set off alarm bells in London and Washington. If Trump moves forward with his pressure campaign,
14:37Iran seems ready to retaliate. Not just against US forces, but against British personnel too.
14:45Is this just posturing, or are we seeing the early signs of a major military confrontation?
14:51With Rudrashish Kanjalal, Bureau Report, India Today Global.
15:14Though the 22nd Amendment in the Constitution prohibits running for a third term,
15:19Trump said there were methods to do so and clarified that he was not joking.
15:24The broadcaster asked him if a scenario was possible in which J.D. Vance would run for the
15:29office and then hand it over to Trump. Amending the Constitution and to abolish
15:33the two-term limit is difficult and requires either a two-thirds vote of Congress or two-thirds
15:40of the states agreeing to call a Constitutional Convention to propose changes. In either case,
15:45ratification from three-quarters of the states is required.
16:10Barron Trump, the youngest son of US President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump,
16:19spotted a Rolex as he arrived at Trump Towers in New York. Barron, who had turned 19 on the
16:2620th of March, appeared to be wearing a gold Daytona model of the luxury watch, which costs
16:32about $50,000. The New York University freshman wore the Rolex as he and his mother, Melania
16:39Trump, entered Trump Towers. Barron is known to informally advise his father on politics and
16:45policy despite being a very young man and only in college. His interests reportedly include
16:52real estate, business and cryptocurrency. Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur,
17:02the man who took charge of America's government spending, is hinting at his next big move,
17:07stepping down from his government duties. After months of aggressively slashing federal
17:12expenditures as head of the Department of Government Efficiency, also known as DOGE,
17:18Musk says his job is almost done, but his exit from Washington comes at a turbulent time. His
17:25EV empire, Tesla, is facing backlash, protests and stock declines. So, is Musk stepping down
17:32from DOGE to focus on Tesla, or is the pressure of running multiple ventures
17:37finally catching up? Here is a deep dive. Elon Musk, classified as a special government
17:45employee, has been serving a 130-day term as a special advisor to President Donald Trump,
17:53overseeing an aggressive campaign to cut government spending. Musk and his team at DOGE claim that
17:59they've saved U.S. taxpayers $115 billion so far. This was done through workforce reductions,
18:09asset sales and contract cancellations. And in an interview with Fox News, Musk hinted that his job
18:17at DOGE is almost done. Musk's aggressive cost-cutting measures have driven federal expenditures
18:25down to approximately $6 trillion. This is one of the most drastic reductions in modern U.S. history.
18:34But Musk's surgical spending cuts haven't come without consequences. His policies have sparked
18:42nationwide protests, lawsuits and a political firestorm. Critics argue that DOGE is recklessly
18:50gutting essential services without proper oversight. Some even accuse Musk's agency
18:57of violating privacy laws and operating beyond legal authority. Musk, however, remains unfazed.
19:07With the trillion-dollar cost-cutting mission of DOGE almost complete, Musk says he's ready to step
19:13down by late May. But the big question, will he now focus on fixing Tesla? For now, the billionaire
19:22who promised to revolutionize government spending may be leaving Washington. But his influence over
19:28the Trump administration is far from over. So is this really the end of Musk's role in politics?
19:36Or could we see him return to Washington in another capacity? That remains to be seen.
19:43Bureau Report, India Today.
19:52Elon Musk handed out a million-dollar check to Wisconsin voters despite backlash from critics,
19:59as well as a lawsuit from the state's attorney general ahead of a Supreme Court election in the
20:04state. Earlier, Musk had clarified only spokesmen for online petition against activist judges would
20:11be eligible for the money. At the town hall in Wisconsin, Musk wore a cheese hat as an ode to
20:18the state's cheese industry and its Green Bay Packers football team. Video shows the Tesla boss
20:24signing the hat before tossing it to elated fans in the crowd. Musk had rallied for Brad Schimmel,
20:31a conservative politician running for a Wisconsin Supreme Court seat. Schimmel is being backed by
20:37Trump. Musk and many of the ex-owners' support groups have spent over $20 million
20:45in the campaign supporting Schein. Myanmar is still reeling from the devastation of a powerful
20:577.7 magnitude earthquake on the Richter scale that struck on the 28th of March,
21:03causing widespread panic and destruction. Over 2,056 bodies have been recovered,
21:09with the toll expected only to rise. Rescue operations are ongoing in Mandalay,
21:15where teams are working tirelessly to free survivors from the rubble. Here's a report.
21:27Rescue workers in Myanmar's Quake-hit capital pulled this man alive from the rubble
21:32after over 40 hours trapped in the wreckage of a three-story building.
21:36He was miraculously without major injuries and is in a stable condition.
21:41While this man was lucky, many more are feared still trapped across the country,
21:46and the death toll from Friday's 7.7 magnitude quake, one of Myanmar's strongest in a century,
21:52continued to rise. The military government said on Sunday more than 1,700 people had been killed,
21:58with over 3,000 injured and hundreds still missing. Experts have estimated the death
22:04toll could top 10,000, and losses could exceed the country's annual economic output.
22:10Russian rescue teams touched down in the capital, Naypyidaw, bringing with them a
22:15mobile hospital before heading to hard-hit Mandalay, near the epicenter of the quake.
22:20Eyewitness footage showed the extensive damage in Mandalay. Reuters was able to
22:25verify the location and date of the video. Aid workers and residents said scores of people
22:31there were feared trapped under collapsed buildings, and most could not be reached
22:35or pulled out without heavy machinery. Thailand, India, and China were among
22:41Myanmar's neighbors that have also sent relief materials and teams,
22:45along with aid and personnel from Malaysia and Singapore.
22:49Critical infrastructure, including bridges, highways, airports, and railways across the
22:54country, lie damaged, slowing humanitarian efforts. In some areas near the epicenter,
23:00residents told Reuters that government assistance was scarce, leaving people to fend for themselves.
23:07The devastation piles more misery on Myanmar, already in chaos from a civil war that grew out
23:13of a nationwide uprising after a 2021 military coup ousted the elected government.
23:21The opposition National Unity Government, which includes remnants of the previous administration,
23:25said anti-junta militias under its command would pause all offensive military actions
23:30for two weeks from Sunday. In neighboring Thailand, authorities said
23:37dozens of people remained trapped under the debris of a collapsed Bangkok skyscraper,
23:43under construction when the quake hit. Rescue workers used drones and sniffer
23:47dogs to hunt for survivors, but only bodies had been retrieved so far.
23:55Some relatives and friends of the missing and trapped construction workers
23:59broke down as they waited for news.
24:05South Korean actor Kim Soo-hyun on Monday denied allegations that he dated the actress Kim Se-yeon
24:12when she was underage. He broke down in tears as he said he could not admit what is not true.
24:18Kim said that he dated Kim Se-yeon five years ago for about a year, but not when she was underage.
24:24He also stated that the YouTube expose released earlier this month cited testimonies and
24:29evidence that were false, including screenshots of messages that could not have come from the
24:35actress. Lawyers representing Kim Soo-hyun and his agency said they had sued people involved
24:41in the YouTube expose for a total of 12 billion won in damages and reported them to the authorities
24:48for defamation and violation of the Information Protection Act. Earlier, brands including Prada
24:54had cut ties with the actor amid the controversy over his relationship with Kim Se-yeon.
25:01Meanwhile, Kim Soo-hyun's agency Gold Medalist acknowledged his past relationship with Kim Se-yeon
25:08but clarified that they only started dating in the summer of 2019. However, Kim Se-yeon's family
25:15has released a series of text messages from 2016 allegedly showing inappropriate and flirtatious
25:21exchanges between the two when she was still a minor. The age of consent in South Korea is 16.
25:28Kim Se-yeon was found dead on the 16th of February.
25:38Kim Se-yeon was found dead on the 16th of February.
26:08And here are some other stories from across the world in World at a Glance.
26:38Marine Le Pen
26:44French far-right leader Marine Le Pen has been banned from running for political office for
26:49five years after being found guilty of embezzling European Union funds. Le Pen and 24 other officials
26:57from the national rally were accused of having used money intended for European Union parliamentary
27:04aides to pay staff who worked for the party. Stock markets across the globe fell heavily on
27:13Monday after Donald Trump suggested that new tariffs he is expected to announce would hit
27:18all countries. Shares fell across Asia-Pacific markets and in Europe after US President
27:25crushed hopes that reciprocal tariffs expected on Wednesday would only target countries that
27:31have the largest trade imbalances with the US.
27:38Rescuers recovered bodies of 15 aid workers in Gaza on Sunday.
27:43Video released by the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs showed members of the Palestine
27:49Red Crescent Society and Palestinian Civil Defence excavating a mass grave in Tal al-Sultan
27:56in Gaza's Rafah Governorate. The footage showed rescuers recovering the bodies buried beneath the
28:04sand. A CCTV video showing two nurses at a hospital's maternity centre protecting babies
28:14during the Myanmar earthquake has gone viral on social media. CCTV footage showed one nurse
28:21carrying a baby while kneeling as another nurse tried to hold on to other babies in their cots
28:27as their building shook violently. Both nurses and newborns escaped unhurt.
28:34The incident took place in the city of Ruili on the border with Myanmar.
28:51Thousands of Muslims offered prayers across the world on the occasion of Eid al-Fitr
28:56but the festive atmosphere for Eid al-Fitr was absent in Gaza where thousands of displaced
29:02Palestinians were seen suffering from hunger, poverty and other hardships amid the ongoing
29:08war and Israel's block of aid supplies. Meanwhile, Eid was celebrated in Bangladesh's capital city
29:14of Dhaka with grand congregations in open grounds and mosques and the revival of a
29:19traditional Eid procession. A colourful procession with horse-drawn carriages and musical display
29:25was organised by Dhaka North City Corporation on the occasion of Eid. Goodbye and take care.
29:49you