ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - April 29, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - April 29, 2024

ZeroFox physical security experts collect, curate, and analyze information derived from open and proprietary sources for comprehensive context of the circumstances surrounding global events. Here is today’s daily roundup of major developments.

Brief Highlights

• Cargo Vessel Attacked on Red Sea
• China Passes Tariff Law Amid Trade Frictions with U.S. and EU
• Vietnam Parliament Chief Quits Amid Deepening Political Turbulence

Cargo Vessel Attacked on Red Sea

On April 25, a cargo vessel near the Red Sea came under attack roughly 25 miles southwest of Yemen’s port city of Aden. No damage or casualties were reported. Yemen’s Houthi rebels are likely responsible, though they made no immediate claim of responsibility. This comes several days after the Houthis vowed to step up attacks after the reported discovery of a mass grave in Gaza. Following that announcement, American and European warships in the Red Sea reported shooting down a higher-than-usual number of drones and missiles likely launched by the Houthis.

China Passes Tariff Law Amid Trade Frictions with U.S. and EU

On April 26, China passed a law that would allow the government to retaliate against its trading partners should they place tariffs on Chinese exports. The new Tariff Law will take effect on December 1, 2024, and outlines a range of legal provisions related to tariffs on Chinese goods, as well as measures to retaliate against countries that renege on trade agreements. The law is designed to deter the U.S. and European Union from introducing tariffs on Chinese goods amid increasing trade tensions with the West. The U.S. is currently mulling tariff hikes on Chinese aluminum and steel while the EU is currently considering imposing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Vietnam Parliament Chief Quits Amid Deepening Political Turbulence

On April 26, Vietnam’s parliament chief Vuong Dinh Hue resigned as the result of an ongoing anti-corruption campaign. The government approved Hue's resignation and will now remove him from both the Central Committee and the Politburo. According to a government statement, Hue’s "violations and shortcomings" caused negative public opinion and affected the reputation of the party, state, and him personally. However, the government did not specify what "violations" Hue committed. Hue's resignation also comes just days after his assistant was arrested on charges of bribery. These developments represent another sign of political turmoil just weeks after the high-profile dismissal of the country’s president.