U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls on NATO allies to boost defense spending to at least 5% of GDP, including the US.

“We want a realistic path where all members commit.”

Poll: Syrians More Hopeful About the Future

• 70% of Syrians from across regions and sects say they are optimistic about the future.

• Nearly 80% feel freer now than during the Bashar al-Assad era.

• Around 80% have a positive view of President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

• Two-thirds say security has improved, despite ongoing clashes.

Source: The Economist

Spain’s PM Sánchez:

U.S. return to 19th-century protectionism is not an intelligent move.

💶💸 Euro rises more than 2%, set for biggest daily jump since 2015.

Spain’s PM Sanchez says Europe was already being attacked from the East by Russia, now faces trade attacks from the West.

EU member states will vote on April 9 on countermeasures to the United States' steel and aluminum tariffs.

Source: Reuters

Spain will implement a 14.1 billion euro plan to cushion the impact of the new U.S. tariffs on the Spanish economy.

The European Union's trade commissioner Maros Sefcovic will talk to his U.S. counterparts tomorrow.

Netanyahu's reception by Viktor Orban and the Honor Guard in Hungary.

Austrian Economy Minister:

To force Trump to the negotiating table, we need to impose tariffs that hit Republican states and his friends including tech firms.

Hungary's Orban:

We have zero tolerance for anti-Semitism.

Hungary's Orban:

I signed a document announcing our withdrawal from the International Criminal Court because it has become politicized.

German Foreign Minister Baerbock:

Netanyahu's visit to Hungary is a bad day for international law.

Mali's Foreign Minister Abdoulaye Diop:

For us, Ukraine is a terrorist state. They help terrorists in the Sahel.

NEW: Some PKK/YPG-linked SDF forces have been withdrawn from Sheikh Maqsoud and Ashrafiyeh neighborhoods in Aleppo, Syria.

The remaining forces will withdraw tomorrow.

100 detainee held by SDF will also be released.

NEW: Iran-backed Popular Mobilization Forces in Iraq says it has deployed forces along the Syrian border.

🇺🇸 The U.S. would suffer the most from its own protectionism — with prices rising 5.5%, higher than anywhere else after Trump's new tarriffs.

🇨🇦 Canada: +2%
🇲🇽 Mexico: +0.8%

🇨🇳🇮🇳 China & India: -0.7%
🇩🇪🇵🇱 Germany & Poland: -0.4%

Study: Aston Business School (2025), FT

🇺🇸 U.S. stocks brace for impact as the S&P 500 is set to lose nearly $1.7 trillion at Thursday’s open, amid fears Trump’s new tariffs could trigger a recession.

BIG: Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide says new U.S. tariffs may breach NATO Article 2.

NATO's Article 2

Often overshadowed by Article 5, NATO Article 2 promotes peaceful ties and economic cooperation among allies. It calls on members to:

• Strengthen democratic institutions
• Support peace, stability, and well-being
• Avoid economic conflicts and boost cooperation

U.S. Vice President JD Vance:

We asked Elon Musk to help improve government efficiency — the process will take six months.

Musk will continue serving as an advisor beyond those six months, and his work with the administration is far from over.