ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 12, 2024

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - December 12, 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

• U.S. Imposes New Tariffs on Solar Wafers, Polysilicon, and Tungsten Products from China
• Turkish President Erdogan Hosts Third Round of Negotiations Between Ethiopia and Somalia
• Romania’s Pro-EU Parties Agree to Government Formation Despite Strong Pro-Russian Opposition

U.S. Imposes New Tariffs on Solar Wafers, Polysilicon, and Tungsten Products from China

On December 11, 2024, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced that import taxes for solar wafers and polysilicon, an essential component in solar panels, would double from 25 to 50 percent, while certain tungsten products used in making electronics and semiconductors would be hit with a new 25 percent levy. The import tariffs will take effect on January 1, 2025, just weeks before Trump’s inauguration on January 20, and are meant to guard against China’s rising clean-energy capabilities. The tariff hikes may increase the cost of clean energy products in the short term and prompt U.S. manufacturers to diversify their supply chains and lessen their reliance on China for inputs and raw materials in the long term. China could retaliate by banning the export of certain materials or by targeting U.S. industries that rely on Chinese consumption, which are mainly the agriculture and technology sectors.

Turkish President Erdogan Hosts Third Round of Negotiations Between Ethiopia and Somalia

On December 11, 2024, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held meetings with top leaders from Ethiopia and Somalia in an effort to deescalate tensions between the countries. Officials did not disclose the content of the discussions that occurred during the meetings. A January 2024 deal between Ethiopia and the breakaway region of Somaliland sparked major tensions between Ethiopia and Somalia. The deal allowed Ethiopia to use approximately 20 kilometers of Red Sea access in exchange for recognizing Somaliland as a country independent from Somalia. In response, Somali officials accused Ethiopia of violating the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty. The talks, which are in their third round, were intended to prevent conflict between Ethiopia and Somalia as both countries continue to militarize and form closer military engagement with neighboring countries.

Romania’s Pro-EU Parties Agree to Government Formation Despite Strong Pro-Russian Opposition

On December 11, 2024, a coalition of pro-EU parties agreed to form a government. The Social Democratic Party (or PSD), will lead the coalition that includes political adversaries like the National Liberal Party (or PNL). The four-party coalition government differs on domestic issues like taxes and immigration but widely supports Romania's membership in the EU and wider ties with the West. Their coalition is likely linked to the strength of Romania's nascent pro-Russian parties led by Calin Georgescu, who won the first round of presidential elections before they were annulled because of ties between his campaign and Russian-backed disinformation campaigns. The coalition can likely be weak if the ideological adversaries struggle to enact reforms and if Georgescu supporters rally en masse ahead of rerun elections sometime in early 2025.