live Iran, U.S. make competing claims over control of Strait of Hormuz
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over t...
South Korea’s new economic chiefs will visit Washington this week for 2+2 trade talks with U.S. officials, aiming to prevent 25% tariffs set to begin on 1 August. This marks their first trip since President Lee Jae-myung took office in June.
South Korean Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol said on Tuesday that he and Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo will head to Washington for ministerial-level “2+2” trade negotiations with the US later this week, according to Yonhap News Agency.
The meeting, scheduled for Friday, will involve talks with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer.
"With the 1 August deadline fast approaching, relevant ministries have formed a unified team to respond with a well-coordinated and practical strategy for the national interest," Koo told reporters.
The United States is due to impose 25% reciprocal tariffs on South Korean exports unless a deal is reached. Existing 25% tariffs already apply to South Korean auto and steel products.
President Donald Trump had initially paused the implementation of additional tariffs in April, granting a 90-day window for talks. That deadline was later extended, but is now set to expire next week.
Koo, who was sworn in as finance minister on Monday, declined to disclose Seoul’s negotiation strategy. He added that South Korea’s foreign and industry ministers are also expected to travel to the U.S. for separate meetings with their counterparts.
This will be the first U.S. visit by key economic ministers under President Lee Jae-myung, who assumed office on 4 June. The last round of “2+2” talks in April involved officials from the previous Yoon Suk Yeol administration.
Disruption in the Strait of Hormuz has increased the strategic importance of Bab al-Mandab, raising fears that instability in both waterways could trigger a wider global energy and trade crisis.
Flights at Catania airport in Sicily will remain suspended until early Friday as ash from Mount Etna continues to disrupt air travel, following hundreds of cancellations and diversions over the past week.
Iran and the United States remain at loggerheads over efforts to agree a permanent end to the war in the Gulf, according to a senior Iranian source who said there had been no progress in talks to revive the interim deal agreed in June and define a timeframe to implement it.
Iran says the Strait of Hormuz remains under its control, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s claim of “total control” over the strategic waterway and insisting it will not reopen until Washington fulfils its commitments under an interim deal.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 12th of August, covering the latest developments.
One person has been killed and six others injured after an explosion at a petroleum storage facility at the Port of Rotterdam, prompting an investigation into the cause.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas met Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Wednesday for talks focused on Gaza, Palestinian statehood and regional security.
Taiwan staged military defence drills on Wednesday as China concluded joint naval exercises with Indonesia in waters east of the island.
Washington’s counter-narcotics push is expanding as Colombia’s new conservative government backs deeper security cooperation.
Meta said it had removed more than 750,000 Facebook and Instagram accounts suspected of belonging to Australians under 16, as the country’s internet regulator weighs enforcement action over its teen social media ban.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment