The News in 200 Words- April 25

The US began moving the THAAD missile defense system to its deployment site in South Korea. 

• The unannounced, overnight move was met by protests from locals.
• China opposes THAAD due to its potential surveillance capabilities, which they believe would give the United States advance warning of any long-range Chinese missile strikes.
• The system has strained relations between South Korea and China, their top trade partner.

For more: THAAD equipment installation underway amid residents' protests (Yonhap News)

  China ready to neutralise THAAD, retired PLA general says (South China Morning Post)

 Explaining Thaad, and Why It So Bothers China: QuickTake Q&A (Bloomberg)

 

Turkish jets bombed and killed over 30 US-backed Syrian and Iraqi Kurdish troops in a series of airstrikes.

• US and Russian troops in the area were given an hour of advance notice. Russian officials attempted to persuade Turkey to call off the strikes, but Turkey did not respond to American communication.
•  The U.S. sees the Syrian-Kurdish People’s Protection Units, known as the YPG, as key allies against ISIS. Turkey sees the group as an extension of the PKK, Turkish insurgents that both the US and Turkey view as a terrorist group.

 For more: Turkish jets bomb US-backed forces in Iraq, Syria, US officials say (Fox News)

 Kurdish YPG fighters dominate Turkey-US talks (Al Jazeera)

United States President Donald Trump has announced tariffs of up to 24% on imports of Canadian softwood used in home construction.

• The American lumber industry has long claimed that Canada subsidizes lumber production, which it criticizes as providing an unfair competitive advantage over American lumber.
• Canada denies that it subsidizes lumber production. A 2oo6 agreement between the two countries temporarily halted a dispute that had been ongoing since the 1980's.
• The move may act as a drag on the critical US housing sector at a time when the Federal Reserve is working to raise interest rates (and, subsequently, mortgage rates).

For more:  Wilbur Ross says Canada is 'dumping lumber,' as Ottawa vows to push back (CBC)

 Have a question about one of these stories? Want a simple explanation of why they're important? Let me know in the comments and I will answer the most popular request tomorrow.

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