Communist China – Author Carlo Carrasco

Trump’s America To Launch Tariff Investigations On Several Countries

March 13, 2026March 12, 2026carlocarrasco

Even as the United States is busy working alongside Israel on the war against the Islamic terrorist state of Iran, the Trump administration announced that it will launch tariff investigations on several countries including trade partners like Japan, according to a news report by Kyodo News. The probes are meant to find out if unfair trading practices exist.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration said Wednesday it will launch tariff investigations into what it sees as unfair practices by China, Japan and over a dozen other American trading partners.

According to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, the move is intended to “uncover a variety of unfair trading practices related to excess capacity in production” in the manufacturing sector, and replace Trump’s sweeping tariff regime that was invalidated by the Supreme Court in February.

“Our view is that key trading partners have developed production capacity that is really untethered from the market incentives of domestic and global demand,” Greer told reporters.

The other trading partners facing the investigations, carried out under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974, are the European Union, Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Norway, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam, Greer said.

The statute, which allows the U.S. government to impose tariffs in response to a foreign country’s alleged unfair practices, was a favorite tool of Trump for justifying higher tariffs on Chinese imports when he started a trade war with Beijing during his first term as president.

After the U.S. top court on Feb. 20 struck down a large chunk of Trump’s far-reaching tariff agenda as imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, his administration introduced a new 10 percent global duty.

However, the new 10 percent surcharge, relying on a different legal framework, can only last 150 days unless Congress approves an extension.

Greer said the Trump administration seeks to complete the investigations as quickly as possible and prepare for new Section 301 tariffs within the 150-day period.

The statute requires consultations with the governments of the targeted trading partners before tariffs can be imposed.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the United States is doing the right thing with the multiple trade investigations? How do you think the Trump administration will adjust its tariff policy once the 150-day period expires?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thank you for reading. If you find this article engaging, please click the like button below, share this article to others and also please consider making a donation to support my publishing. If you are looking for a copywriter to create content for your special project or business, check out my services and my portfolio. Feel free to contact me with a private message. Also please feel free to visit my Facebook page Author Carlo Carrasco and follow me on Twitter at @HavenorFantasy as well as on Tumblr at https://carlocarrasco.tumblr.com/ and on Instagram athttps://www.instagram.com/authorcarlocarrasco

Trump Says War With Iran To End “Very Soon”

March 11, 2026March 10, 2026carlocarrasco

Since the first strikes happened on February 28, the joint military operations of the United States and Israel have heavily damaged the military, energy and government sites of the Islamic terrorist state of Iran. As the war with Iran has impacted the global economy and a new so-called supreme leader of Iran was selected, US President Donald Trump stated that the war is expected to end “very soon” but not at the end of this week, according to a news report by Kyodo News.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday the ongoing war with Iran is expected to be over “very soon” but ruled out the possibility of it coming to an end this week.

“We’re winning very decisively. We’re way ahead of schedule,” Trump, who had initially predicted the conflict could last four to five weeks, claimed during a press conference in Florida.

Trump’s remarks came after Iran selected Mojtaba Khamenei as its new supreme leader after his father was killed in the first wave of U.S.-Israeli strikes.

Khamenei, the late leader’s second son, is known for his close ties with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. His rise to power has raised concern among many countries that the war, entering its second week, could further destabilize the Middle East and quickly ripple through the global economy.

While insisting that the United States has achieved an “unprecedented” military success, Trump said he was “disappointed” with Iran’s choice of supreme leader.

“We think it’s going to lead to just more of the same problem for the country,” he said.

Sending conflicting messages, Trump also warned that the United States will aggressively attack Iran if it attempts to block the world’s energy supply.

“We will hit them so hard that it will not be possible for them or anybody else helping them to ever recover that section of the world,” he said.

But he struck an optimistic note on oil prices, saying they would be much lower after the war ends. On disruption to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, Trump said the United States was less affected than China.

It seems that the joint Israel-America operations have achieved more than what was previously expected. The Islamic regime’s navy has been demolished, the air force crushed, and the oil refineries destroyed. It has also been reported that more military personnel of the regime have left their posts and moved out of the country using fake passports. The oppressed Iranians, meanwhile, should get more motivated to go out and protest as the regime’s military and police forces weaken.

Looking at the bigger picture, the massive devastation on the Islamic terrorist state made the leaders of Russia and Communist China worried. China needs oil from Iran while Russia needs Iranian-made weapons. Geopolitically, it’s like Trump’s America stuck two birds with one stone. In the case of Israel, Islamic terrorist groups are weakening now that the Islamic regime of Iran cannot support them. Going back to Iran, there are opportunities for the affected Iranians to move out of the country and enter Armenia as refugees. Already there are groups at the Armenian side of the border who intend to help Iranian refugees.

For more updates about what happened lately, watch the videos below.

Let me ending this post by asking you readers to pray to the Lord for victory, for the protection of the American and Israeli forces, for the safety of civilians everywhere, for the end of the Islamic terrorist regime of Iran to happen soon, and for the liberation of the oppressed Iranian people. Pray to Him to also bless US President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as their respective administrations. Pray to God for more peace and stability in the Middle East and for the stability of the global economy.

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Chinese National Arrested In Batangas For Posing As A Filipino

March 8, 2026March 2, 2026carlocarrasco

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) apprehended in Batangas a Chinese national who posed as a Filipino citizen, according to a news report by the Manila Bulletin. The suspect has a history of acquiring Philippine passports and a driver’s license in the country.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from report of the Manila Bulletin. Some parts in boldface…

A foreigner has been arrested by the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in Batangas for posing as a Filipino and for “fraudulently acquiring” Philippine documents.

Immigration Commissioner Joel Anthony M. Viado presented before the media on Tuesday, Feb. 24, the arrested foreigner who was identified as Chinese national Zhi Ling Guan. He said that Zhi admitted he is not a Filipino.

Viado said that Zhi also uses the aliases Shis Nengyuan and Mike Sy. The “fake” Filipino was arrested last Feb. 20 at the Batangas port, he also said.

Viado said that the Chinese national was using fraudulently his acquired Philippine passports and driver’s license using the name Mark Sy.

“Philippine citizenship is not a commodity that can be fabricated or acquired through deception,” Viado declared.

He warned: “Any foreign national who falsely claims to be Filipino and manipulates our systems to secure official documents will face arrest, detention, and deportation.”

He said the BI acted on the information it received from the Intelligence Service of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (ISAFP) which sought the verification of the identity of the person.

“Biometric checks and inter-agency verification established that the fingerprints appearing in identification documents under the name ‘Mike Sy’ matched those of Zhi Ling Guan, a Chinese national,” he also said.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? What do you think is the main reason the suspect used a fake identity and pretend to be a Filipino? Do you think the government should come up with stronger measures to prevent fraud committed by foreigners?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Indonesia Attracts 15.39 Million Foreign Visitors In 2025

February 14, 2026February 10, 2026carlocarrasco

Indonesia, the 2^nd largest economy of Southeast Asia, successfully attracted 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025 and it is already looking forward to attracting even more this year, according to a news report by VnExpress.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report of VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Indonesia, the largest economy in Southeast Asia, welcomed 15.39 million foreign visitors in 2025, exceeding its target of 14-15 million arrivals.

“We have exceeded our target and performed better than our previous projections,” Tourism Minister Widiyanti Putri Wardhana said at a meeting in Jakarta on Wednesday, as quoted by Antara News Agency.

Government figures show that average spending per foreign visitor reached US$1,267 in 2025, surpassing the target of $1,220.

Malaysia remained the biggest contributor to Indonesia’s tourism revenue, while the United Arab Emirates posted the fastest growth in visitor numbers.

Arrivals from China rose sharply, reaching 1.34 million in 2025, the highest level in six years, according to Xinhua News Agency. The data indicates that travel from China to Indonesia has not only recovered but has also exceeded pre-pandemic levels.

By doing the math of the numbers revealed in the above news report, US$1,267 multiplied with 15.39 foreign tourists is equal to roughly US$19.5 billion in foreign tourism revenue. That is a huge economic boost for Indonesia.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Indonesia? If you have visited Indonesia, what did you enjoy the most while touring there?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Vietnam Attracts 2.5 Million Foreign Tourists In January 2026

February 12, 2026February 7, 2026carlocarrasco

Vietnam, which is already one of the leading players of Southeast Asia on foreign tourism, is off to a powerful start as it successfully attracted 2.5 million foreign tourists in January 2026 alone, according to a news report by VnExpress. The relaxed visa policies and enhanced tourism campaigns were factors behind the early success.

For insight, Vietnam attracted 21.2 million foreign tourists in 2025. It is expected to attract more from Israel as its ties with the Jewish state are getting stronger. Also, a lot of Filipino travelers searched for accommodations in Vietnam online in 2025. These are only a few of many factors highlighting the tourism boom in Vietnam.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

Vietnam received 2.5 million foreign visitors in January, its highest monthly number ever, thanks to relaxed visa policies and increased tourism campaigns.

It represents an increase of more than 21% from the previous month, data released Tuesday by the General Statistics Office shows.

The composition of Vietnam’s top source markets changed during the month. South Korea overtook mainland China to become the top market with nearly 490,000 visitors, and China was next with 460,000.

Cambodia emerged as the most notable mover with more than 223,000 arrivals to rise to third place overtaking Taiwan. The rest of top 10 comprised Taiwan, Japan, the U.S, Australia, Russia, India, and Malaysia.

Industry insiders attribute the jump to ground-breaking visa policies, strong innovation in tourism promotion and marketing, greater product diversification, and improved service quality.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Vietnam? With the strong start, do you think Vietnam will be able to attract more than 30 million foreign tourists this year? What is the first thing that comes to your mind when it comes to tourism in Vietnam?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Trump’s America Urges Allies To Increase Defense Spending To 5% Of GDP

January 25, 2026January 24, 2026carlocarrasco

Under the leadership of US President Donald J. Trump, America’s new defense strategy urged its allies and partner to increase their defense spending to 5% of their gross domestic product (GDP), according to a news report by Kyodo News. This latest development could result in a chain of events in which American allies will not only spend more but also act more responsibly when it comes to securing their respective nations.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the Kyodo News report. Some parts in boldface…

A new U.S. defense strategy released Friday urges all American allies and partners to increase defense spending to 5 percent of their gross domestic product and be more responsible for their own national security.

Highlighting President Donald Trump’s “America First” and “peace through strength” agenda, the Pentagon’s policy document says they have a bigger role to play, but not as “the dependencies of the last generation,” as the United States needs to prioritize defending its homeland and its interests throughout the Western Hemisphere.

“We will advocate that our allies and partners meet this standard around the world, not just in Europe,” says the first National Defense Strategy since Trump’s return to the office a year ago, referring to the 5 percent defense target.

“As our allies do so, together with the United States, they will be able to field the forces required to deter or defeat potential adversaries in every key region of the world, even in the face of simultaneous aggression,” it says.

NATO members have already pledged to meet Trump’s demand to increase defense spending from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP by 2035. The new NATO target is composed of 3.5 percent for core military spending and an additional 1.5 percent for security-related spending.

As the document praises Europe and South Korea for committing to raising their defense expenditures since Trump’s return to office, it appears inevitable that other major U.S. allies, including Japan, will face increased pressure from his administration to follow suit.

On par with the National Security Strategy, released by the White House in December, the key defense document touches on China and its fast-paced military buildup.

But the tone is softer compared to previous versions.

It says the second Trump administration’s approach is to deter China in the Indo-Pacific region through strength, “not confrontation.”

In the 34-page document, there is also no mention of Taiwan, the self-ruled island that China regards as its own territory and around which it has been stepping up military pressure.

“President Trump seeks a stable peace, fair trade and respectful relations with China, and he has shown that he is willing to engage (Chinese) President Xi Jinping directly to achieve those goals,” the document says, adding that Washington’s goal is not to dominate China.

“Rather, our goal is simple: To prevent anyone, including China, from being able to dominate us or our allies,” it says.

As part of efforts to meet that end, the U.S. military will erect a “strong denial defense” along the first island chain in line with the security strategy, according to the defense blueprint.

The island chain runs from the Japanese archipelago, through Taiwan, the Philippines and on to Borneo, encircling China’s coastal waters.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think the new American strategy will create a huge impact on how the allies will defend their respective nations? Do you think this will lead to the containment of Communist China’s aggression on the Indo-Pacific? Do you think the new strategy could lead to more stability in both Asia and Europe?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Thailand Sets Ambitious Tourism Targets For 2026

January 25, 2026January 20, 2026carlocarrasco

Thailand, the 2^nd most visited nation of Southeast Asia in 2025, has set ambitious tourism targets for itself for 2026 and it includes achieving US$95 billion in tourism revenue, according to a VnExpress news release. Thailand attracted over thirty million international arrivals last year which was actually a decline of more than 7% compared to 2024.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news report VnExpress. Some parts in boldface…

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has expressed confidence that the country’s tourism sector will earn 3 trillion THB (US$95.35 billion) in revenue this year through its “Amazing 5 Economy” strategy.

The plan targets an 11% increase in international visitors, enhanced domestic tourism, and a focus on sustainable, high-quality growth despite global challenges.

TAT aims for 36.7 million international arrivals and about 210 million domestic trips in 2026. Meanwhile, the revenue target includes 2 trillion THB from international markets, with an expected 11% increase in international tourist arrivals, and 1 trillion THB from domestic tourism, projected to grow by 4%, said TAT Governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool.

In 2026, TAT plans to reignite quality tourism growth by addressing challenges such as geopolitical tensions, increasing global competition, and domestic factors like the strong baht, household debt, safety concerns, and natural disasters. The key to success lies in the “Amazing 5 Economy” framework, which includes life economy, sub-culture economy, night economy, circular economy, and platform economy.

In 2025, Thailand recorded total tourism revenue of approximately 2.7 trillion THB. International arrivals reached 32.97 million, down 7.23% year-on-year.

It saw declines in short-haul markets such as Malaysia and China. However, long-haul markets showed strong momentum, with visitors from Europe, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa reaching a record 10.8 million.

Notably, arrivals from the U.K. and the U.S. each surpassed one million for the first time. Domestic tourism also expanded, with more than 202 million trips, up 2.7%.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Have you ever toured Thailand before? If you did, how long did you stay in Thailand and how was your overall travel experience there? Do you think Thailand will be to achieve its ambitious tourism targets this year?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Japan Achieves New Record-Highs On Foreign Visitor Arrivals And Related Revenue In 2025

January 21, 2026January 20, 2026carlocarrasco

2025 is officially a year of tremendous tourism breakthroughs for Japan as a record 42.7 million foreign visitors were counted along with more than US$60 billion in related revenue, according to a news article by Kyodo News.

Overtourism has been going on in Japan for some time now and it does not seem to be slowing down even though there was a sharp drop of tourists from Communist China which was the result of increased tensions between China and Japan. As a lot more foreign tourists explored Japan, local businesses benefited in different ways but overcrowding, increased littering and acts of bad behavior by foreigners were reported.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from the news article of Kyodo News. Some parts in boldface…

Foreign visitors to Japan reached a record estimated 42.7 million in 2025, the government said Tuesday, with their spending also at a new all-time high of 9.5 trillion yen ($60.1 billion), thanks to a weaker yen and increased flights to Japan.

The preliminary figures also showed, however, a 45 percent drop in Chinese tourists in the month of December from a year prior to 330,000, tourism minister Yasushi Kaneko told a press conference. The fall came as an ongoing row between Japan and China appears likely to weigh on inbound travel trends in 2026.

The decline in Chinese visitors was the first fall since January 2022 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the minister of land, infrastructure, transport and tourism said, adding the government is monitoring the situation around Chinese visitors.

Overall visitors surpassed 40 million for the first time, and the estimated total was around 6 million people higher than for 2024. Kaneko said Japan will “engage in strategic Japan tourism promotion” amid a diversifying inbound market, highlighted by rising arrivals from Australia, Europe and the United States.

Relations between Tokyo and Beijing have soured since Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks in early November on a Taiwan contingency infuriated China.

The fallout has seen economic measures from China, including urging its people to refrain from visiting Japan, and some airlines reduced flights on Japan-China routes.

While the Japanese government has set a target of attracting 60 million foreign visitors a year by 2030, some popular sightseeing destinations are facing problems such as overcrowding and misbehavior by some tourists.

For added insight about tourism-related attractions, activities and trends in Japan, watch the Nippon TV videos below.

Let me end this piece by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this development? Do you think Japan will be able to attract even more foreign tourists and be able to collect better revenues this year without China? If you plan to visit Japan this year, what is the purpose of the trip and where do you plan to visit?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Takes Back Grande Island

January 21, 2026January 17, 2026carlocarrasco

Due to lease violations on the part of GFTG Holdings Corp., the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) repossessed Grand Island in Subic Bay, according to a news report by the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

Grande Island is a historic island located several kilometers away from the shores of the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. The island used to be Fort Wint (American military defense point) and through the decades, it became a US naval resort and even as a processing site for foreign refugees. Grande Island today is a tourism location accessible by boat. For the Philippines, Grande Island is considered strategically important as it provides a clear view of sea lanes in the West Philippine Sea.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of the PDI. Some parts in boldface…

Grande Island has been repossessed by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) following the pre-termination of its lease with GFTG Holdings Corp., an SBMA official confirmed on Tuesday.

Lawyer Melvin Varias, SBMA deputy administrator for legal affairs, said the takeover stemmed from the SBMA Board’s October decision to cancel GFTG’s lease for failure to meet development obligations. A notice of pre-termination was served, giving the company 60 days to vacate the property.

The notice of repossession was issued on Jan. 5, and the actual takeover took place on Jan. 9, Varias said, noting the schedule was adjusted due to the holidays.

GFTG has since sought reinstatement of its lease, with its appeal now under review by an SBMA board committee.

Grande Island drew national attention last year after Chinese nationals were arrested there for alleged surveillance activities involving drones and naval monitoring. Authorities seized firearms, fake documents, and electronic devices containing photos and videos of Philippine and US naval assets in Subic Bay.

Following the arrests, the Department of National Defense proposed converting Grande Island and nearby Chiquita Island into military reservations, citing national security concerns. The SBMA, however, opposed the move, noting the presence of existing tenants and locators on the islands.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Are you glad that the SBMA took back Grand Island given its high value as a tourism spot as well as being a highly strategic site related to developments in the West Philippine Sea? Were you surprised that Chinese nationals were caught in Grande Island for spying on Philippine and American naval assets?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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Philippines Grants 14-Day Visa-Free Entry To Chinese Visitors

January 20, 2026January 17, 2026carlocarrasco

In what is clearly a bid to enhance tourism, investments and trade, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced that Chinese nationals are being granted visa-free entry into the Philippines and they are allowed to stay up to fourteen days, according to a GMA Network news report.

The Philippines continues to fail to attract enough foreign tourists and the growth of the national economy clearly slowed down in recent times.

To put things in perspective, posted below is an excerpt from news report of GMA News. Some parts in boldface…

The Philippines is granting visa-free entry to Chinese nationals starting January 16 in its bid to increase Chinese trade, investments and tourists, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Thursday.

Under the new policy, Chinese nationals may enter the Philippines without the requirement of obtaining a visa for a stay of up to 14 days.

“This is in line with the President’s directive to facilitate trade, investments, and tourism, as well as strengthen people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China,” the DFA said in a statement.

Such visa-free entry arrangement will be in effect for one year and will be reviewed accordingly before it expires.

The visa-free privilege will be valid for entry only through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Cebu.

Upon arrival, Chinese nationals need to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay, confirmed hotel accommodation/booking, and a return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.

“Chinese nationals traveling to the Philippines strictly for tourism or business purposes may avail of the new visa-free entry privilege,” the DFA said.

However, the DFA said visas (cannot) be extended beyond the allowable 14-day stay and is non-convertible to any other type of Philippine visa category.

For added context about the potential risks that come with attracting Chinese tourists, watch the video below.

Let me end this post by asking you readers: What is your reaction to this recent development? Do you think this new policy by the national government is the right move even though there is tension between Communist China and the Philippines? Does this new policy make the Philippines look very desperate to attract money from Chinese visitors? Are you concerned that criminal activities here in the Philippines will get worse as more Chinese tourists enter the country?

You may answer in the comments below. If you prefer to answer privately, you may do so by sending me a direct message online.

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