ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 5, 2025

ZeroFox Physical Security Intelligence Daily Brief - February 5, 2025

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

• EU Summit on Increasing Defense Spending Ends Without Policies
• U.S. Suspends Tariffs from Canada and Mexico for 30 Days While Those on China Remain
• Nearly 20,000 Live Animals Seized, 365 Suspects Arrested in Largest-Ever Wildlife and Forestry Operation

EU Summit on Increasing Defense Spending Ends Without Policies

In a recent summit held in Brussels, Belgium, EU leaders discussed identifying new ways to raise EUR 500 billion in new defense spending. However, no major announcements were made. Ahead of the meetings, there were discussions on making the Stability and Growth Pact, which restricts EU members to deficits under 3 percent of GDP and debt under 60 percent of GDP, more flexible. Eight EU states, led by France and Italy, are in violation of that pact, while most others have little room to increase spending without cuts elsewhere. There have also been discussions on moving private bank investments into defense spending. This would require joint borrowing, where all EU states lend money for projects. Joint borrowing is always controversial because it requires larger states to pitch in more, commensurate with their economic and population size.

U.S. Suspends Tariffs from Canada and Mexico for 30 Days While Those on China Remain

U.S. President Donald Trump has suspended tariffs on Mexico and Canada for 30 days after they announced plans to increase border security. Canada initially ordered tariffs of 25 percent on American imports starting February 4, 2025, including beverages, cosmetics, and paper products. It also announced that a second list of goods would be released soon, including passenger vehicles, trucks, steel and aluminum products, specific fruits and vegetables, beef, pork, dairy products, aerospace products, and more. These products were estimated to be worth over USD 105 billion. Mexico has only announced it will impose retaliatory tariffs without mentioning any rate or products.

Nearly 20,000 Live Animals Seized, 365 Suspects Arrested in Largest-Ever Wildlife and Forestry Operation

Nearly 20,000 live animals, all endangered or protected species, have been seized in a global operation against wildlife and forestry trafficking networks, jointly coordinated by INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization (WCO). Operation Thunder 2024 brought together police, customs, border control, forestry and wildlife officials from 138 countries and regions, marking the widest participation since the first edition in 2017. Authorities arrested 365 suspects and identified six transnational criminal networks suspected of trafficking animals and plants protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).