Trump says tariffs are making US ‘great & rich’ again
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the sweeping tariffs he has imposed on nations around the world were making the country “great & rich again” as governments raced to strike deals with Washington less than 24 hours before an August 1 deadline.”Tariffs are making America GREAT & RICH Again,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.”ONE YEAR AGO, AMERICA WAS A DEAD COUNTRY, NOW IT IS THE “HOTTEST” COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” he added.A day earlier, the US President imposed new tariffs to punish or favor several major trading partners — the latest round of sweeping measures that have roiled markets around the world.South Korea squeezed in at the last moment, securing agreement on a 15 percent tariff for exports to the United States — significantly below the 25 percent that Trump had earlier threatened to introduce.But Trump also announced crippling 50 percent tariffs on Brazil and a 25 percent levy on Indian exports, while warning Canada it would face trade repercussions for planning to recognize a Palestinian state.The 15 percent rate on Seoul — Washington’s key security ally — was equivalent to levies determined from US trade deals with Japan and the European Union.He added that South Korea had committed to investing $350 billion in the United States, as well as the purchase of “$100 billion worth” of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or other energy sources.Seoul’s presidential office said tariffs on automobiles — one of Seoul’s key exports — would also stay at 15 percent. Trump hit Brazil with high tariffs as well as sanctions against the judge overseeing a trial of his far-right ally Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of attempting a coup in Latin America’s biggest economy.But he delayed its implementation from Friday to August 6, and crucially exempted many products from the prohibitive levy, including orange juice, civil aircraft, iron ore and some energy products.- Canada trade threat -He had threatened to wield US economic might to punish Brazil — and its Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, in particular — for what he has termed a “witch hunt” against former president Bolsonaro.Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he would defend “the sovereignty of the Brazilian people in the face of measures announced by the president of the United States.”Among Trump’s latest announcements were a 25 percent duty on Indian goods to begin Friday — slightly lower than previously threatened — after talks between Washington and New Delhi failed to bring about a trade pact.India would face an unspecified “penalty” over purchases of Russian weapons and energy as well, Trump said.”I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.”We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World,” he added.Canada’s trade relations with the United States also came under threat after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.”Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine,” the US president wrote on his Truth Social platform. “That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them.”- ‘Big day for America’ -He also signed an order Wednesday to impose previously threatened 50 percent tariffs on certain copper products and end a tariff exemption for low-value shipments from abroad.It left out products like copper ores, concentrates and cathodes, bringing some relief to industry.As Trump’s deal deadline neared, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Fox News that Washington had struck trade deals with Cambodia and Thailand, but provided no details of the accords.The US tariff hikes due Friday were initially announced in April as part of a package in which Trump slapped a minimum 10 percent levy on goods from almost all trading partners — citing unfair trade practices.This rate was set to rise to varying levels for dozens of economies such as the European Union, Japan and others, but Washington twice postponed their implementation as financial markets gyrated.The US leader insisted Wednesday that the August 1 deadline “will not be extended” any further.So far, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, the EU and South Korea have reached initial deals with Washington to secure less punishing conditions.While the United States and China earlier slapped escalating tariffs on each other’s products, both sides are working to further a truce maintaining duties at lower levels.Although Trump has promised a surge in government revenues from his duties, economists warn that higher tariffs can fuel an uptick in inflation and weigh on economic growth.
Trump says tariffs are making US ‘great & rich’ again
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that the sweeping tariffs he has imposed on nations around the world were making the country “great & rich again” as governments raced to strike deals with Washington less than 24 hours before an August 1 deadline.”Tariffs are making America GREAT & RICH Again,” he wrote on his Truth Social platform.”ONE YEAR AGO, AMERICA WAS A DEAD COUNTRY, NOW IT IS THE “HOTTEST” COUNTRY ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD,” he added.A day earlier, the US President imposed new tariffs to punish or favor several major trading partners — the latest round of sweeping measures that have roiled markets around the world.South Korea squeezed in at the last moment, securing agreement on a 15 percent tariff for exports to the United States — significantly below the 25 percent that Trump had earlier threatened to introduce.But Trump also announced crippling 50 percent tariffs on Brazil and a 25 percent levy on Indian exports, while warning Canada it would face trade repercussions for planning to recognize a Palestinian state.The 15 percent rate on Seoul — Washington’s key security ally — was equivalent to levies determined from US trade deals with Japan and the European Union.He added that South Korea had committed to investing $350 billion in the United States, as well as the purchase of “$100 billion worth” of liquefied natural gas (LNG) or other energy sources.Seoul’s presidential office said tariffs on automobiles — one of Seoul’s key exports — would also stay at 15 percent. Trump hit Brazil with high tariffs as well as sanctions against the judge overseeing a trial of his far-right ally Jair Bolsonaro, who is accused of attempting a coup in Latin America’s biggest economy.But he delayed its implementation from Friday to August 6, and crucially exempted many products from the prohibitive levy, including orange juice, civil aircraft, iron ore and some energy products.- Canada trade threat -He had threatened to wield US economic might to punish Brazil — and its Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, in particular — for what he has termed a “witch hunt” against former president Bolsonaro.Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said he would defend “the sovereignty of the Brazilian people in the face of measures announced by the president of the United States.”Among Trump’s latest announcements were a 25 percent duty on Indian goods to begin Friday — slightly lower than previously threatened — after talks between Washington and New Delhi failed to bring about a trade pact.India would face an unspecified “penalty” over purchases of Russian weapons and energy as well, Trump said.”I don’t care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.”We have done very little business with India, their Tariffs are too high, among the highest in the World,” he added.Canada’s trade relations with the United States also came under threat after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September.”Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine,” the US president wrote on his Truth Social platform. “That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them.”- ‘Big day for America’ -He also signed an order Wednesday to impose previously threatened 50 percent tariffs on certain copper products and end a tariff exemption for low-value shipments from abroad.It left out products like copper ores, concentrates and cathodes, bringing some relief to industry.As Trump’s deal deadline neared, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told Fox News that Washington had struck trade deals with Cambodia and Thailand, but provided no details of the accords.The US tariff hikes due Friday were initially announced in April as part of a package in which Trump slapped a minimum 10 percent levy on goods from almost all trading partners — citing unfair trade practices.This rate was set to rise to varying levels for dozens of economies such as the European Union, Japan and others, but Washington twice postponed their implementation as financial markets gyrated.The US leader insisted Wednesday that the August 1 deadline “will not be extended” any further.So far, Britain, Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, the EU and South Korea have reached initial deals with Washington to secure less punishing conditions.While the United States and China earlier slapped escalating tariffs on each other’s products, both sides are working to further a truce maintaining duties at lower levels.Although Trump has promised a surge in government revenues from his duties, economists warn that higher tariffs can fuel an uptick in inflation and weigh on economic growth.
Pakistan opposition leader given 10 years for Imran Khan protests
The opposition leader in Pakistan’s parliament was among more than 100 people convicted Thursday over nationwide protests in support of Imran Khan in 2023, his party said. A statement from Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party (PTI) said six members of parliament, a senator, and a provincial MP, were given 10-year sentences, a week after several others were also convicted. Among them was Omar Ayub Khan, the opposition leader in the National Assembly, who did not attend the protests.He was convicted at an anti-terrorism court in the eastern city of Faisalabad of abetting violence and conspiring to incite riots and arson.”We are going to challenge this in the upper court,” PTI chairman Gohar Ali Khan told reporters. “Such verdicts are bad for democracy and the country altogether.”The party officials have been on bail during the trial and have not yet been taken to jail.Nationwide protests that targeted sensitive military installations erupted on May 9 when Khan was briefly arrested in the capital, Islamabad.Khan, who was prime minister between 2018 and 2022, has been in jail for nearly two years on charges he says are politically motivated. His supporters and senior party leaders have also faced a severe crackdown, with thousands rounded up and Khan’s name censored from television.Sayed Zulfikar Bukhari, the London-based spokesman for PTI said the latest sentences were “a black day for demoracy”.”Convicting opposition leaders one after another is not a good omen for any democratic system, and it will seriously damage our already fragile democracy,” he said.
Pluies à Pékin: 44 morts, les autorités admettent des “failles”
Les autorités de Pékin ont admis jeudi qu’elles étaient insuffisamment préparées à affronter les pluies diluviennes ayant frappé la ville, et qui ont fait 44 morts et neuf disparus selon un dernier bilan.Une partie du nord de la Chine, tout particulièrement la capitale, a été touchée ces derniers jours par des inondations meurtrières qui ont contraint des dizaines de milliers d’habitants à fuir leur domicile.Selon le dernier bilan établi jeudi, “44 personnes sont mortes et neuf portées disparues”, a indiqué lors d’une conférence de presse Xia Linmao, un haut responsable de la municipalité.”Entre le 23 et le 29 juillet, Pékin a subi des précipitations extrêmes”, a-t-il ajouté, précisant qu’elles avaient causé “d’importantes pertes humaines”. Trente-et-un décès ont notamment été enregistrés dans un établissement pour personnes âgées dans la municipalité de Taishitun, dans le nord de Pékin, a précisé M. Xia.- “Douloureuse leçon” -Un précédent bilan faisait état de 30 morts dans la capitale chinoise, les zones touchées étant principalement situées en zone semi-rurale, à environ une centaine de kilomètres du centre-ville.”Au nom du comité municipal du Parti (communiste) et du gouvernement de la ville, je tiens à exprimer ma profonde tristesse pour ceux qui ont malheureusement perdu la vie, ainsi que mes sincères condoléances à leurs proches”, a déclaré Xia Linmao.Il a promis que des “leçons profondes” seront tirées de cette catastrophe. “Notre capacité à prévoir et à alerter en cas de conditions météorologiques extrêmes est insuffisante, et les plans de prévention et d’atténuation des catastrophes n’ont pas été pleinement développés”, a-t-il déclaré.Un constat partagé par un autre dirigeant pékinois présent lors de cette conférence de presse.”Nos plans d’urgence comportaient des failles. Notre compréhension des phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes est insuffisante”, a déclaré Yu Weiguo, responsable du Parti communiste chinois dans le district durement touché de Miyun.”Cette douloureuse leçon nous a réveillés : placer le peuple au premier plan, la vie humaine avant tout, n’est pas qu’un simple slogan”, a-t-il poursuivi. “Il faut concrètement traduire cela en mesures effectives”, a-t-il conclu.- “Jamais vu” -Des dizaines de routes ont été fermées et plusieurs villages ont été privés d’électricité après de fortes précipitations qui ont touché Pékin et ses provinces voisines.Des habitants des zones les plus touchées ont décrit à l’AFP avoir été surpris par la montée des eaux, qui a rapidement submergé leurs habitations.”Je n’ai jamais vu cela auparavant en 40 ans de vie. Et ceux qui ont 80 ou 90 ans non plus”, a déclaré Hu Yuefang, une villageoise du district de Huairou, dans le nord de Pékin.Les catastrophes naturelles sont courantes en Chine, surtout durant l’été, quand certaines régions sont submergées par des pluies diluviennes pendant que d’autres sont en proie à la sécheresse.La Chine est le plus gros émetteur mondial de gaz à effet de serre qui, selon les scientifiques, accélèrent le changement climatique et rendent plus fréquents et intenses les événements météorologiques extrêmes.Le géant asiatique se présente aussi comme un leader mondial des énergies renouvelables et vise la neutralité carbone d’ici 2060.mjw-oho-ehl-ll/aas/jpa
Pluies à Pékin: 44 morts, les autorités admettent des “failles”
Les autorités de Pékin ont admis jeudi qu’elles étaient insuffisamment préparées à affronter les pluies diluviennes ayant frappé la ville, et qui ont fait 44 morts et neuf disparus selon un dernier bilan.Une partie du nord de la Chine, tout particulièrement la capitale, a été touchée ces derniers jours par des inondations meurtrières qui ont contraint des dizaines de milliers d’habitants à fuir leur domicile.Selon le dernier bilan établi jeudi, “44 personnes sont mortes et neuf portées disparues”, a indiqué lors d’une conférence de presse Xia Linmao, un haut responsable de la municipalité.”Entre le 23 et le 29 juillet, Pékin a subi des précipitations extrêmes”, a-t-il ajouté, précisant qu’elles avaient causé “d’importantes pertes humaines”. Trente-et-un décès ont notamment été enregistrés dans un établissement pour personnes âgées dans la municipalité de Taishitun, dans le nord de Pékin, a précisé M. Xia.- “Douloureuse leçon” -Un précédent bilan faisait état de 30 morts dans la capitale chinoise, les zones touchées étant principalement situées en zone semi-rurale, à environ une centaine de kilomètres du centre-ville.”Au nom du comité municipal du Parti (communiste) et du gouvernement de la ville, je tiens à exprimer ma profonde tristesse pour ceux qui ont malheureusement perdu la vie, ainsi que mes sincères condoléances à leurs proches”, a déclaré Xia Linmao.Il a promis que des “leçons profondes” seront tirées de cette catastrophe. “Notre capacité à prévoir et à alerter en cas de conditions météorologiques extrêmes est insuffisante, et les plans de prévention et d’atténuation des catastrophes n’ont pas été pleinement développés”, a-t-il déclaré.Un constat partagé par un autre dirigeant pékinois présent lors de cette conférence de presse.”Nos plans d’urgence comportaient des failles. Notre compréhension des phénomènes météorologiques extrêmes est insuffisante”, a déclaré Yu Weiguo, responsable du Parti communiste chinois dans le district durement touché de Miyun.”Cette douloureuse leçon nous a réveillés : placer le peuple au premier plan, la vie humaine avant tout, n’est pas qu’un simple slogan”, a-t-il poursuivi. “Il faut concrètement traduire cela en mesures effectives”, a-t-il conclu.- “Jamais vu” -Des dizaines de routes ont été fermées et plusieurs villages ont été privés d’électricité après de fortes précipitations qui ont touché Pékin et ses provinces voisines.Des habitants des zones les plus touchées ont décrit à l’AFP avoir été surpris par la montée des eaux, qui a rapidement submergé leurs habitations.”Je n’ai jamais vu cela auparavant en 40 ans de vie. Et ceux qui ont 80 ou 90 ans non plus”, a déclaré Hu Yuefang, une villageoise du district de Huairou, dans le nord de Pékin.Les catastrophes naturelles sont courantes en Chine, surtout durant l’été, quand certaines régions sont submergées par des pluies diluviennes pendant que d’autres sont en proie à la sécheresse.La Chine est le plus gros émetteur mondial de gaz à effet de serre qui, selon les scientifiques, accélèrent le changement climatique et rendent plus fréquents et intenses les événements météorologiques extrêmes.Le géant asiatique se présente aussi comme un leader mondial des énergies renouvelables et vise la neutralité carbone d’ici 2060.mjw-oho-ehl-ll/aas/jpa