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The United States and Kazakhstan have agreed a locomotive deal worth up to $4.2 billion that will see Wabtec Corporation supply 300 locomotives, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced on Monday.
Lutnick said the historic agreement followed a call between President Donald Trump and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Writing on X, he added that the locomotives would boost connectivity across Europe and Asia through the Middle Corridor, with American technology at the core.
"While our rail industry faces unfair attacks from the nonsensical rush toward electric-only policies, this deal delivers strong support for one of our most significant industries.
This $4 Billion deal is more than just a huge success story. It’s about American innovation leading the world, supporting thousands of jobs in TX & PA, & strengthening the U.S.–Kazakhstan partnership." he wrote in the post.
The deal comes against a backdrop of trade tensions as Kazakhstan, which borders Russia and China, has been hit with a 25% tariff rate by Trump.
In July, Tokayev notified President Trump in a letter that his government was ready for constructive dialogue on trade.
The commerce Secretary added that "This is President Trump’s America First trade policy in action: landmark exports, new markets, & U.S. workers winning big!".
Kazakhstan continues active cooperation with the U.S. as latest figures show that in 2024, trade turnover between the countries amounted to $4.2 billion, an increase of 4% from the previous year.
The main export items from Kazakhstan to the U.S. include crude oil, more than 56%, uranium, about 16%, silver, 12%, iron alloys, 9.5%, and tantalum and tantalum products.
It is worth noting that on 7 September, former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated the possibility of visiting Kazakhstan, emphasising the positive nature of his communication with Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he has given an instruction for Israel to begin peace talks with Lebanon that would also include the disarming of Hezbollah.
Afghanistan and Pakistan have agreed to continue dialogue and avoid steps that could worsen tensions after China-hosted talks in Urumqi, with Kabul and Beijing saying the meetings focused on easing differences and improving relations.
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's President said an Israeli strike killed 13 security personnel in Nabatieh.
Memorial events were held in Tehran’s main squares on Wednesday (8 April) to mark the 40th day since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who died during U.S.-Israeli attacks on 28 February.
Dubai has restricted foreign airlines to one daily flight to its airports until 31 May due to the Iran crisis, raising fears of significant revenue losses for Indian carriers, industry letters show.
An Iranian delegation has arrived in Islamabad for talks aimed at easing regional tensions, as Pakistan urged all sides to engage constructively, while the United States and Lebanon called on Israel to pause its attacks ahead of planned negotiations.
Afghanistan’s foreign ministry says the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has pledged continued cooperation after talks in Kabul on aid coordination, bilateral ties and job creation.
Uzbekistan is advancing plans to reduce the state’s role in the economy while introducing a VAT refund system for foreign visitors, as part of broader efforts to attract investment and boost tourism.
Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, the president of Kazakhstan, said on Friday (10 April) that a parliamentary election in the Central Asian country would take place in August but stopped short of naming an exact date.
Lebanon is sliding deeper into a food security crisis as ongoing regional conflict disrupts supply routes and drives up the cost of basic goods, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned.
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