The U.S. and China, facing mounting political pressures at home, are seeing economic tensions flare to their worst point in years over currency and trade practices. Yuan achieved its minimum against the US dollar for the last 5 years. American enterprises accuse China on currency manipulation for the sake of a competitive advantage of Chinese goods. Domestic politics in both countries collide with already weak growth, what could escalate existing tension between the world’s two largest economies. The United States want China to implement promised policies to open up its markets and allow greater international investment.

On 2 June 2016 the German Parliament passed a resolution in which it recognized the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1916 committed by Ottoman Turkish forces. It stated it held responsibility for these massacres as well since they were aligned with the Ottoman Empire at the time. The resolution has led to outcry in Turkey, that still has not recognised these events as a genocide. Turkish President Erdogan reacted fiercely and threatened there would be consequences for Turkish-German relations as he already summoned the German ambassador in Ankara. The move could further undermine the EU-Turkey refugee agreement as well, which was already under pressure following the resignation of the Turkish Prime Minister Davutoglu earlier on 5 May that brokered the deal.

The announcement of the municipal elections results in the north zone ended the election season, which lasted almost an entire month. The Beirutis’ List, supported by former Prime Minister Saad Hariri, has dominated the capitale’s elections despite a strong opposition by Beirut Madinati, according to the official final results showed on Tuesday.  As for the North of the country, an underdog list backed by emerging Sunni politician Ashraf Rifi won a majority of seats on the council elected in Tripoli, Lebanon’s second largest city, against a coalition of former prime ministers, billionaires and Islamists. This election involved alliances, results, and repercussions on the political stage. It has marked a blow for the lebanese establishment, in particular the long in power Sunni leaders in the northern part. It might revive tensions between rival sectarian groups. Early results indicated that none of the 24 seats on the council were won by members of the Christian or Alawite communities which were both represented in the outgoing council.

On the 1st of June Croatia officialy gave approval to the opening of the chapters 23 and 24 negotiations on Serbia accession to the EU. Member states of EU considered that Serbia is ready t open those chapters. Serbia proposed to solve the serbian-croatian issues in the regional context. Croatia blocking opening of these two chapters justified it by non-respecting the Croats minority rights in Serbia and made an objection for serbian judiciary system. It expected also that Serbia better cooperates with International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. The opening of those two chapters will take place in the end of June. 

On the 1st of June member states of EU decided to extend the mandate of EULEX mission to Kosovo for two more years. Initially, EU rule of law mission was about to last until 14th of June 2016. Rule of law and security were the main areas as those which need still European support. Moreover Kosovo-European negotiations about the future of the mission started. General aims of the mission is to support Kosovo authorities in the issues of police, judiriary and customs. 

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with senior editors from Asia News Network (ANN) in Beijing, China at the Great Hall of the People on May 31, 2016 within annual editors` meeting, hoping to make Asian voice better heard not only in Asia but globally. Some small Asian countries concerned about rising of Chinese influence in the region, calling China “superpower”. They worry that China may act as a "big brother" to use its political and economic power to advance its own purposes in negotiations.