Zelenskyy visits Poland after EU summit in Brussels
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Poland on Thursday following a summit of the European Council in Brussels....
Top U.S. officials, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, will meet with Chinese counterparts in Switzerland this weekend for high-level trade talks. The talks come after escalating tariffs between the two nations, sparking concerns over economic impact.
Top U.S. officials are set to meet with a high-level Chinese delegation this weekend in Switzerland, marking the first significant talks between the two countries since President Donald Trump instigated a trade war with tariffs on imports. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will meet with their Chinese counterparts in Geneva, marking the most senior-level discussions between the two nations in months.
The meeting comes at a time of growing concern in the U.S. over the economic impact of the trade war, which has led to higher prices and disrupted supply chains for consumer goods. China, the world's largest exporter, has borne the brunt of Trump's tariffs, with retaliatory tariffs from China now standing at 125%, while U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods have reached 145%.
According to a Chinese ministry spokesperson, the decision to engage in talks followed careful evaluation of global expectations, Chinese interests, and calls from U.S. businesses and consumers. However, the spokesperson emphasized that China would not sacrifice its principles or global equity in any agreement.
Economists warn that the escalating tariffs have already started to affect U.S. consumers, raising the costs of everyday goods such as groceries, autos, and housing. The risk of a recession is also growing, with many analysts predicting further economic strain due to the ongoing trade conflict.
Wendy Cutler, a former U.S. trade official, welcomed the talks, describing them as a valuable opportunity to discuss unwinding some of the tariffs. She cautioned that the process would take time, and quick resolutions should not be expected.
In addition to the trade discussions, Bessent and Greer are also set to meet with Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter, with both U.S. officials having held prior discussions with their Chinese counterparts before the onset of the trade war.
Ukraine has welcomed the European Union’s decision to provide €90 billion in support over the next two years, calling it a vital lifeline even as the bloc failed to reach agreement on using frozen Russian assets to finance the aid.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that attempts to reach a peace agreement in Ukraine are being undermined by Russia’s continued refusal to engage meaningfully in negotiations.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held a phone conversation with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil at the latter’s request.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has confirmed that Russian-made Oreshnik missile systems have been deployed on Belarusian territory and placed on combat alert.
The European Union has postponed signing its long-awaited free trade agreement with the Mercosur bloc until January, after failing to secure sufficient backing from member states, according to media reports.
The United States is not concerned about a potential escalation with Russia over Venezuela, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said, as President Donald Trump increases US military deployments in the Caribbean.
The U.S. military carried out large-scale strikes on dozens of Islamic State targets in Syria on Friday in response to an attack last week that killed American personnel, US officials said.
US intelligence assessments indicate that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to seek full control of Ukraine and to expand Russia’s influence in parts of Europe formerly under Soviet rule, contradicting repeated claims that Moscow poses no threat to the continent.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning over the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.
The United States says it is working to secure a renewed ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, expressing cautious optimism that an agreement could be reached early next week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Friday.
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