Multiple outlets reported that China, Japan, and South Korea agreed to bolster regional trade after a meeting in Seoul on Sunday. “The meeting was attended by South Korean Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun, his Japanese counterpart Yoji Muto, and Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao,” DW reports. According to Reuters, Chinese state media said the three countries agreed to jointly respond to U.S. tariffs. WATCH: South Korea, China and Japan, the three Asian manufacturing giants, agreed to 'closely cooperate for a comprehensive and high-level' talk to improve free trade in the region amid concerns over Trump's import tariffs https://t.co/s4LXhjaDeX pic.twitter.com/Vfdy2b4jc3 — Reuters (@Reuters) March 31, 2025 Per Reuters: The comments came after the three countries held their first economic dialogue in five years on Sunday, seeking to facilitate regional trade as the Asian export powers brace against U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Japan and South Korea are seeking to import semiconductor raw materials from China, and China is also interested in purchasing chip products from Japan and South Korea, the account, Yuyuan Tantian, said in a post on Weibo. All three sides agreed to strengthen supply chain cooperation and engage in more dialogue on export controls, the post said. During Sunday’s meeting, the countries’ trade ministers agreed to “closely cooperate for comprehensive and high-level” talks on a South Korea-Japan-China free trade agreement deal to promote “regional and global trade”, according to a statement released after the meeting. The ministers met ahead of Trump’s planned announcement on Wednesday of more tariffs in what he calls “liberation day”, as he upends Washington’s trading partnerships. China, Japan, and South Korea agree to jointly respond to U.S. tariffs — China state media — NewsWire (@NewsWire_US) March 31, 2025 BREAKING: China, Japan and South Korea will jointly respond to US tariffs as President Trump's April 2nd reciprocal tariff day nears, per Reuters. Mexico has already announced that a response is coming as soon as April 3rd. Reciprocal tariffs on reciprocal tariffs are coming… https://t.co/YBJcjwtd5T pic.twitter.com/KuEj38Ncda — The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) March 31, 2025 DW reports: China, Japan and South Korea have heavily depended on trade partnerships with the US, even though the relations between the three countries have remained tense. Disagreements over territorial issues have prevented the three Asian exporting powers from making any significant progress on a trilateral free-trade deal since starting talks in 2012. Last week, Trump announced 25% tariffs on car and auto parts imports — a move that will impact Asian exporters, which are among the largest auto exporters to the US. The countries’ three trade ministers agreed to “closely cooperate for a comprehensive and high-level” talks on a South Korea-Japan-China free trade agreement deal to promote “regional and global trade,” according to a statement released after the meeting. “It is necessary to strengthen the implementation of RCEP, in which all three countries have participated, and to create a framework for expanding trade cooperation among the three countries through Korea-China-Japan FTA negotiations,” said South Korean Trade Minister Ahn Duk-geun, referring to the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership. The three countries agreed to create “a predictable trade and investment environment,” a joint statement said. South Korea’s Ahn said the three countries must respond “jointly” to shared global challenges. “Today’s economic and trade environment is marked by increasing fragmentation of the global economy,” he said. The trio agreed to hold its next ministerial meeting in Japan.

Sex trafficking victim Virginia Guiffre claims that she has ‘four days to live’ after being hit by a bus. The woman, who was abused by Jeffrey Epstein as a teenager and also accused Prince Andrew [...] The post Virginia Giuffre, Who Accused Prince Andrew Of Sexual Abuse ‘Has Days To Live’ After ‘Car Crash’ appeared first on The People's Voice.

Ricky Byrd, a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as the guitarist with Joan Jett & the Blackhearts for 10 years, has released a fourth solo album called NYC Made. The 12-song collection is a throwback of sorts inspired by Top 40 radio of the singer, songwriter and guitarist’s youth. The album’s catchy single, the autobiographical “Transistor Radio Childhood,” has Byrd revisiting all his early music influences from AM radio of the 60s and 70s while his New York Yankees and WABC DJs kept it all in balance. Released on Stevie Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records with co-producer Bob Stander, keyboardist Jeff Kazee (Asbury Jukes), fiddle player Tony Montalbo, drummers Steve Holley (Wings), Aaron Comess (the Spin Doctors) and Thommy Price (Joan Jett and the Blackhearts), Uptown Horns Arno Hecht and Larry Etkin and the Ba Ba Blacksheep Singers (Stevie Van Zandt, Willie Nile, Jeff Kazee and Marc Ribler), NYC Made is no-bones rocker that bears a passion for old-school rock and roll without pretention or gimmick.   “(Ya Get) 1 Life” is a playful opener with Beach Boys-like harmonies and an edgy riff that immediately pulls you in. Melodies and harmonies come together catchy fare like “Glamdemic Blues,” “Anna Lee,” “Louanne” and “Alien.” The riff takes centerstage on “Rhapsody In Blues (One For Jeff),” an instrumental inspired by Jeff Beck, as well as on “Stay Grateful” and “RnR’s Demise (Has Been Greatly Exaggerated),” which calls out rock’s longevity with a “new generation” in the wings, ready to carry the tradition on. Ballads like “The Along Comes You” and The album’s closing “Best Of Times” capture Byrd’s emotive side and adaptable versatility. An all-around musician with the backing of Stevie Van Zandt (credited as Consigliere on the liner notes), Ricky Byrd is making his own way forward as he tips his hat to the past. NYC Made is not only an open book of where he’s been and what he’s done; most importantly, it’s about what he’s doing now being even better with age. ~ Shawn Perry Purchase NYC Made

U.S. President Donald Trump will reportedly make his first trip overseas to Saudi Arabia, according to surfacing reports.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has reportedly called off a federal lawsuit that challenged a Republican-backed Georgia election law passed during Democrat Joe Biden’s presidency. 

President Donald Trump has accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of attempting to “back out” of signing a long-awaited minerals deal with the United States.

There will no longer be different standards for men and women in combat. Men in combat situations shouldn’t be required to worry about women who can’t hold their weight. I say that as a woman. It is not equitable or fair, and it’s irrational to think it is. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the military […] The post Sec. Hegseth Orders Uniform Combat Standards appeared first on www.independentsentinel.com.