The World That Was

Adrian Olivier,

Sunday 30 March – Sunday 6 April:

On Sunday, a German start-up, Isar Aerospace, launched its Spectrum rocket from a spaceport in northern Norway, the first orbital-capable rocket launch from continental Europe (excluding Russia). However, the rocket spun out and crashed into the Norwegian Sea about 30 seconds after takeoff. Despite the failure, Isar Aerospace stated that the test flight met its objectives by providing valuable flight data. The company and other European start-ups are aiming to compete in the growing space industry, currently dominated by the U.S. and China.

On Monday, a French court convicted Marine Le Pen of misusing EU funds, banning her from running for office for five years and sentencing her to four years in prison, with two years suspended and the other two by wearing an electronic bracelet. The ruling removes her from the 2027 presidential race unless she wins an appeal. Judges found that Le Pen and her party misused €4.4 million ($4.8 million) in EU funds meant for parliamentary assistants. Le Pen denounced the ruling as an attack on democracy and vowed to appeal. The court’s decision takes effect immediately, but the appeal process could delay its final enforcement. Le Pen also received a €100,000 ($108,000) fine. Her far-right party, National Rally, holds the most seats in the National Assembly and previously weakened Macron’s government with a no-confidence vote.

On Tuesday, China launched military drills around Taiwan’s north, south, and east coasts as a “stern warning” against separatism, calling Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te a “parasite.” The exercises involved ships, aircraft, and artillery practicing blockades, strikes, and air interceptions, according to China’s Eastern Theatre Command. Over 70 Chinese military aircraft and 13 navy ships were detected, with more than 10 vessels nearing Taiwan’s 24-nautical-mile zone, prompting Taiwan to deploy its own warships. Taiwan’s defence ministry raised military readiness, though no live fire was initially reported. The drills followed U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s visit to Asia, during which he criticized Beijing. China’s foreign ministry defended the exercises as necessary to protect national sovereignty, declaring that reunification with Taiwan “will happen.” On Wednesday, China continued the exercises, including live-fire drills in the East China Sea and operations near key shipping lanes. The PLA conducted “Strait Thunder-2025A,” focusing on joint blockades and precision strikes on simulated targets like ports and energy facilities. The drills concluded later that day, with Chinese officials claiming they had achieved their intended goals.

On Wednesday, President Trump unveiled a sweeping new tariff plan at a Rose Garden ceremony, calling it “Liberation Day” for U.S. trade policy. The plan introduces a universal 10% tariff on all imports, with significantly higher rates for specific countries deemed trade “bad actors.” These include a 24% tariff on Japan, 20% on the European Union, and a 34% tariff on China, which adds to existing levies for a combined estimated total of 65–70% on Chinese imports. Vietnam faces a new 46% tariff. The plan combines universal tariffs with “reciprocal” nation-specific duties, effective April 9. Canada and Mexico are exempt from the reciprocal system but will still face 25% tariffs on most imports due to their alleged roles in the fentanyl crisis and illegal immigration. An earlier exemption for auto and other goods expired on Wednesday. The EU warned of possible countermeasures, and China announced it would respond to the new tariffs.

On Friday, the trade war between the U.S. and China escalated as Beijing announced blanket 34% tariffs on all U.S. goods, mirroring President Trump’s recent tariff hike. The new measures, effective Thursday, are a direct response to Trump’s “Liberation Day” trade plan. China also imposed restrictions on over two dozen U.S. companies, limited access to rare-earth minerals, and launched an investigation into U.S. chemicals giant DuPont. Analysts said the move significantly reduces the chances of a near-term resolution to the trade conflict. Following the announcement, U.S. markets tumbled, with the S&P 500 dropping 6%, while China’s markets were closed for a national holiday.

On Friday, South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously removed President Yoon, a 64-year-old conservative, from office in an 8–0 vote. The court rejected his defense that declaring martial law was a necessary act of governance to resolve political deadlock, stating military mobilization was unjustified. A snap presidential election will be held before June 3. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of the left-leaning Democratic Party is the clear front-runner, despite being a polarizing figure who survived a stabbing last year. The ruling conservatives remain divided and have not agreed on a candidate. Lee currently polls at 34%, outpacing the combined support of the top four conservatives, though nearly 40% of voters remain undecided, leaving the race uncertain. 

On Saturday, U.S. customs agents began collecting unilateral 10-per-cent tariff on all imports from many countries, with higher levies on goods from 57 larger trading partners due to start next week. The initial 10-per-cent “baseline” tariff to be paid by U.S. importers took effect at U.S. seaports, airports and customs warehouses at 12:01 a.m. ET. However, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection bulletin did provide a 51-day grace period for cargoes loaded onto vessels or planes and in transit to the U.S. before 12:01 a.m. ET Saturday. These cargoes need to arrive by 12:01 a.m. ET on May 27 to avoid the 10% duty. 

On Sunday, French right-wing leader Marine Le Pen vowed to peacefully fight her five-year ban from running for office, drawing inspiration from Martin Luther King Jr. In a video address to Italy’s Lega party, Le Pen called for a “peaceful, democratic fight,” citing King’s civil rights activism as a model. Thousands of supporters rallied in central Paris, waving French flags and chanting “We will win” in a show of support. The protest signalled there is some public backing for Le Pen’s claim that the legal case against her was politically motivated.