Weekly Brief

Welcome to the tut0ugh Weekly Brief. This past week, a landmark US Supreme Court ruling reshaped tariff policy, while AI investment, defence coordination and energy diplomacy signalled shifting global alignments.

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Trump announces 15% global tariff after Supreme Court strikes down IEEPA duties

US President Donald Trump has announced a 15% “global tariff” under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, after the US Supreme Court ruled his previous tariffs unlawful.

In a 6–3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) did not authorise the broad duties. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh dissented. Trump described the ruling as “deeply disappointing” and promised “other alternatives” would be pursued.

The new tariffs will apply to most imports, with exemptions for critical minerals, metals and energy. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer confirmed existing trade deals remain, while French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said the decision reinforced the rule of law and eased pressure on exporters.

India positions as AI hub while strengthening defence and trade ties with France and Brazil

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has positioned India as a global AI hub, calling to “Design and develop in India. Deliver to the world.” Speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, he welcomed participation from French President Emmanuel Macron, Google CEO Sundar Pichai, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who proposed a $3bn AI fund for developing nations.

OpenAI, Microsoft, Google and Amazon pledged $67.5bn in AI and cloud investments. Modi also met Macron in Mumbai to advance a potential $35bn Rafale fighter jet deal and inaugurated India’s first private helicopter assembly line with Airbus and Tata Sons.

Separately, Modi signed a trade pact with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, enhancing cooperation in mining, steel, technology and digital infrastructure, aiming to raise bilateral trade beyond $20bn over five years.

Peru appoints José María Balcázaras interim president, becoming eighth leader in a decade

Peru’s Congress has elected former judge and left-wing lawmaker José María Balcázar as interim president, replacing right-wing leader José Jerí just a day after his removal. Balcázar, 83, will serve until the 12 April election, with a potential June run-off if no candidate secures a majority.

The vote marks Peru’s eighth president in ten years, underlining chronic political instability. Four of the last eight leaders were impeached, two resigned, and only Ollanta Humala completed a full term.

Balcázar secured 60 of 113 congressional votes after a boycott by the Together for Peru party. Jerí, 39, faced scandals including alleged sexual misconduct and undisclosed meetings with Chinese businessmen, dubbed “Chifagate.”

Druzhba pipeline tensions disrupt fuel supplies and EU aid to Ukraine

Hungary and Slovakia have suspended diesel exports to Ukraine amid a dispute over disrupted Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline. Oil transfers to both EU states stopped on 27 January 2026 after reported pipeline damage in Ukraine.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said diesel deliveries would remain halted until crude oil flows resume, calling the Ukrainian decision “political”. Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico confirmed state refinery Slovnaft will prioritise domestic supply. Both governments requested EU intervention to allow Russian crude via Croatia, which rejected the plan citing US sanctions.

Later, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán blocked a proposed €90bn EU loan for Ukraine, linking it to the pipeline dispute and warning Kyiv against “blackmail”. The veto threatens Kyiv’s public finances ahead of the war’s fourth anniversary.

UK and European allies launch LEAP air defence initiative 

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Poland have launched a joint air defence initiative under the European Group of Five (E5), aimed at reinforcing NATO’s eastern flank and protecting European airspace.

At talks in Krakow, Luke Pollard MP, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said European security faces a “pivotal moment”, underscoring continued support for Ukraine.

The Low-Cost Effectors & Autonomous Platforms (LEAP) programme will develop lightweight surface-to-air weapons, autonomous drones and missile defence systems, with first capability expected by 2027.

The UK has allocated over £400m this year for long-range and hypersonic weapons and plans to raise defence spending to 2.6% of GDP from 2027.

Saudi Arabia backs Türkiye solar expansion; Erdoğan signs Ethiopia energy pact

Saudi Arabia will support Türkiye in building two solar plants in Sivas and Karaman, led by Saudi firm ACWA Power, with a combined 2,000MW capacity supplying over two million homes.

At the Istanbul signing, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar called it among the largest energy investments in Türkiye. The deal builds on a $2bn agreement announced during President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s Riyadh visit. Türkiye generated 62% of electricity from renewables in 2025 and targets net zero by 2053.

Separately, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed an energy cooperation memorandum in Addis Ababa with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, advancing renewable projects, hydroelectric development and a $1bn bilateral trade goal.

UN Security Council addresses escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan

The United Nations Security Council, chaired by UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, addressed Sudan’s escalating humanitarian crisis, which she described as “the worst humanitarian crisis of the 21st century”.

Around 14 million people are displaced, with widespread famine, sexual violence and acute child malnutrition reported.

A report by the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission for the Sudan found evidence of genocidal acts in and around El Fasher, North Darfur, citing the “hallmarks of genocide”. It documented targeted attacks on Zaghawa and Fur communities, an 18-month siege restricting aid, and coordinated operations by the Rapid Support Forces.

The mission warned of further violence spreading to Kordofan and urged urgent international action to protect civilians and ensure accountability.

California and UK sign clean energy pact; Egypt and Kenya deepen Nile and security cooperation

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a clean energy memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom in London, reinforcing transatlantic climate cooperation despite policy shifts under US President Donald Trump.

The agreement advances joint work on offshore wind and clean technologies, expands California market access for UK firms including Octopus Energy, and supports the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. UK Energy Secretary Ed Miliband highlighted investment opportunities.

In Nairobi, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty and Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Hani Sewilam met President William Ruto to expand cooperation on Nile water management, security and infrastructure. Egypt proposed a $100m dam feasibility fund and reaffirmed opposition to unilateral Nile measures.

Trump leads inaugural Board of Peace meeting 

US President Donald Trump convened the first meeting of the Board of Peace in Washington, DC, aimed at overseeing Gaza reconstruction and potentially addressing other global crises. Representatives from more than 40 countries attended; Palestinian officials were absent.

Trump announced $7bn in international pledges and a $10bn US contribution for Gaza relief and rebuilding. Addressing the United Nations, he said the Board would work “very closely” with the UN to strengthen its viability.

On Iran, Trump said “good talks are being had” but insisted Iran “cannot have a nuclear weapon”, warning military action could follow within 10 days if negotiations fail.

Pakistan–Austria deepen economic ties; Niger–Algeria revive Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline

At Vienna’s Hofburg Palace, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif and Federal Chancellor Christian Stocker pledged deeper Pakistan–Austria cooperation across trade, investment, tourism, education, IT, healthcare and workforce mobility.

Both reaffirmed support for the United Nations on peace, climate action and sustainable development. They agreed to accelerate economic and technical MoUs and co-chaired a CEO forum on renewable energy, manufacturing, textiles and healthcare. Pakistan invited Austrian firms to the EU-Pakistan Business Forum in April 2026.

In Algiers, General Abdourahamane Tiani and President Abdelmadjid Tebboune announced a “new dynamic” in Niger–Algeria ties, advancing the 4,000km Trans-Saharan Gas Pipeline. Initial steps are expected after Ramadan 2026, alongside expanded Algerian economic support.

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