Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire, says U.S. ambassador to Türkiye
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-bor...
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and opposition leader Peter Dutton have both pledged to defend the country’s national interests as the United States signals possible tariffs targeting Australian beef exports.
The United States Trade Representative’s latest report on foreign trade barriers listed Australia’s long-standing ban on U.S. fresh beef—introduced in 2003 after BSE was detected—as a key grievance. It also flagged Australian regulations on pharmaceuticals, digital media, and biosecurity as potential barriers.
Albanese said on Wednesday he would “stand up for Australian interests” and refused to compromise on national standards. He named three areas his government would not yield on: the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, biosecurity protections, and the Media Bargaining Code.
“We won’t compromise because it could do enormous damage to our meat products,” Albanese said, referring to the risk of weakening Australia’s strict biosecurity system.
Peter Dutton echoed the sentiment, telling reporters that he would not hesitate to confront Donald Trump or any world leader if necessary. “My job is to stand up for Australians,” he said. “If I needed to have a fight with Donald Trump, I’d do it in a heartbeat.”
Despite the escalating rhetoric, Albanese confirmed his government would not respond to any U.S. tariffs with retaliatory measures. Instead, he signalled a focus on diplomatic efforts and trade diversification.
Australia exported A$4 billion in beef to the U.S. last year—its largest market—thanks in part to a recent slump in U.S. beef production. Both countries are among the top global beef exporters.
The trade barriers report also criticised Australia’s 2021 law requiring U.S. tech giants like Google and Meta to pay local media outlets for news content shared on their platforms. The Albanese government announced in December it would strengthen the law, including penalties for non-compliance.
Albanese noted that less than 5% of Australia’s goods exports go to the U.S., compared to 25% to China. He said Australia is focused on boosting trade with emerging economies in South East Asia and India.
Australia’s beef exports had previously suffered during a diplomatic dispute with China, which was resolved last year. Now, with Washington’s tone hardening, the industry faces another test.
The world’s biggest dance music festival faces an unexpected setback as a fire destroys its main stage, prompting a last-minute response from organisers determined to keep the party alive in Boom, Belgium.
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will send an upgraded ‘version 3.0’ free-trade agreement to their heads of government for approval in October, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Saturday after regional talks in Kuala Lumpur.
Germany's export slump since 2021 is largely driven by deep-rooted competitiveness issues, the Bundesbank warned in its latest report, calling for urgent structural reforms.
Israeli researchers have unveiled an artificial intelligence tool that can determine a person’s true biological age from tiny DNA samples with remarkable precision.
Two Harry Potter actresses, Emma Watson and Zoe Wanamaker, have each received a six-month driving ban after separate speeding offences, both sentenced on the same day at a Buckinghamshire court.
North Korea has stopped foreign tourists from visiting its new Wonsan-Kalma resort just weeks after it welcomed the first Russian visitors.
U.S. President Donald Trump says Coca-Cola has agreed to use real cane sugar in the U.S., though the company has not confirmed the claim.
The U.S. ambassador to Türkiye says Israel and Syria have reached a ceasefire deal supported by Türkiye, Jordan, and regional actors after cross-border strikes this week heightened tensions.
The Trump administration has completed a controversial prisoner swap with Venezuela, returning around 250 deported Venezuelans in exchange for 10 American detainees.
Congo and the M23 rebel group have agreed on a declaration of principles after months of Qatar-mediated talks, aiming to end fighting in the country’s east.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment