Middle East tensions simmer as U.S.–Iran talks loom and strike kills 13- Friday, 10 April
Amid fragile calm, António Guterres urged constructive U.S.- Iran talks, while Pope Leo XIV warned violence is spreading. Lebanon's Pres...
China and the US have agreed to extend the pause on 24% reciprocal tariffs after two days of trade talks in Sweden, Chinese trade official Li Chenggang announced Tuesday.
The breakthrough came after negotiations in Stockholm, led by Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. Li Chenggang, China’s trade representative, told reporters that both countries “had a comprehensive and in-depth exchange over each other’s macroeconomy”.
“According to the consensus between China and the US, the two sides will continue to push for the continued extension of the pause on the 24% reciprocal tariffs on the US side, as well as the countermeasures on the Chinese side,” he said.
While Li declined to provide specific details of the extension, the announcement comes just weeks before a U.S.-set deadline of 12 August for China to reach a trade agreement. President Donald Trump has warned that if deals are not secured with other countries by 1 August, new unilateral tariffs will take effect.
The Stockholm discussions followed earlier rounds of talks in Geneva and London. According to Li, both delegations “reviewed the implementation of the Geneva and London consensus and fully recognized implementation”.
Chinese and American economic teams will continue to remain in close contact, with timely exchanges on trade and economic topics, he added.
“Both sides are fully aware of the importance of safeguarding a stable and sound China-US trade economic relationship,” said Li, who described the tone of talks as “candid and in-depth.”
The US and China, the world’s two largest economies, were previously locked in a prolonged tariff conflict, initiated by President Trump, that unsettled global markets before both sides agreed to a partial rollback of tariffs.
Trump has already struck trade deals with the United Kingdom, European Union, Japan and others, while continuing negotiations with countries yet to finalise arrangements.
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.
A charity co-founded by Prince Harry in honour of his late mother, Princess Diana, is suing him for libel at the High Court in London, according to a court record published on Friday (10 April).
The European Union and Washington are nearing an agreement to coordinate the production and security of critical minerals, Bloomberg News reported on Friday (10 April).
In a forceful rebuke to Washington’s foreign policy in the Americas, a senior Russian diplomat has declared that Moscow will never abandon Cuba, pledging ongoing support to help the Communist-run island overcome a severe energy crisis linked to the United States embargo.
Hungary votes on Sunday in a parliamentary election that could loosen Viktor Orbán’s 16-year hold on power. His ruling Fidesz faces a strong challenge from Péter Magyar’s Tisza party, which has led some polls, though many voters remain undecided.
While a fragile ceasefire in the Iran war may deliver badly needed relief to economies battered by the world’s worst-ever energy crisis, hopes it will quickly restore normal oil and gas flows from the Middle East are almost certainly misplaced.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment