Situation Reports

Chinese exports unexpectedly increased by 7.2 percent in U.S. dollar terms in July while imports were down 1.4 percent, Bloomberg reported Aug. 7.

Bilateral trade between China and Russia is moving away from the U.S. dollar, bringing the two countries closer to a “financial alliance,” according to an Aug. 6 report released by Nikkei Asian Review.

China’s foreign ministry said it firmly opposes any official U.S. exchanges with Taiwan, warning that a visit to the island by a U.S. Cabinet official would threaten “peace and stability” in the region, AFP reported Aug. 5. The statement comes a day after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced that Secretary Alex Azar would lead a delegation to Taipai in the coming days to discuss Taiwan’s successful COVID-19 strategy.

Saudi Arabia worked with China to construct a facility to produce yellowcake uranium from uranium ore in a remote area of northwestern Saudi Arabia, The Wall Street Journal reported Aug. 4.

Colombia's Supreme Court on Aug. 4 ordered former Colombian President and sitting Sen. Alvaro Uribe placed under house arrest for alleged witness tampering and obstruction of justice, Reuters reported Aug. 4.

In a campaign speech, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko accused the Russian government of lying and attempting to destabilize Belarus, pointing to the July 29 arrests of Russian mercenaries outside Minsk, RBC reported Aug 4.

Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha asked anti-government protesters not to “create chaos” following a recent gathering in Bangkok that openly called for reforms to the country’s constitutional monarchy, Reuters reported Aug 4. 

A massive explosion at the port of Beirut has caused heavy damage throughout the Lebonese city and has wounded an undetermined number of people, the BBC reported Aug. 4.

Guyana’s election commission certified the results of the country’s March 2 general election, validating the People’s Progressive Party (PPP) victory over the incumbent’s Partnership for National Unity/Alliance for Change Coalition (APNU/AFC), Reuters reported Aug 2.

Lebanese Foreign Minister Nassif Hitti resigned Aug. 2, saying that the government lacked the will to carry out the reforms needed to halt impending economic disaster, Reuters reported Aug 2. Charbel Wehbe will be the country's new foreign minister.