AnewZ Morning Brief - 8th July, 2025
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 8th July, covering the latest developments you need to know....
President Trump predicts a reduction in China tariffs and hints at a potential meeting with President Xi Jinping following upcoming trade talks.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he expects that punitive tariffs on China — currently set at 145% — will likely decrease following ongoing trade talks between the two countries. Trump’s remarks came as he unveiled details of a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom, signaling a potential thaw in the trade tensions between the world’s two largest economies.
Trump indicated that substantive negotiations would take place this weekend in Switzerland, where high-level U.S. and Chinese officials are set to meet. The talks will be a first step toward resolving the trade standoff, which has disrupted financial markets and global trade for months.
“I think it’s going to be a very friendly meeting,” Trump said, referencing the talks. “They look forward to doing it in an elegant way.” He added that the 145% tariff on China is unlikely to stay at its current rate, saying, “You can't get any higher. It's at 145, so we know it's coming down.”
The discussions will involve U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, chief trade negotiator Jamieson Greer, and China’s economic tsar He Lifeng. The meeting is set to take place in neutral Switzerland, away from the heightened tensions of Washington and Beijing.
Trump also expressed optimism that China wants to strike a deal, stating, “They have a lot to gain… far more to gain than we do, in a sense.” He reiterated his desire for China to open up its economy more fully and addressed the trade surplus China holds with the U.S., which has long been a point of contention.
“I would like to see China open,” Trump remarked, adding, “They have to at this point.”
Asked if he might speak with Chinese President Xi Jinping following the talks, Trump responded, “I might, yeah, sure,” suggesting that there could be further diplomatic engagement after the negotiations.
Trump has previously praised Xi, despite trade disagreements and his accusations regarding China’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he continues to focus on reducing the trade deficit and addressing long-standing economic concerns.
As the trade talks progress, Trump remained hopeful, stating, “I think it’s going to be substantive. China wants to do something, and look, they have to at this point.”
Australian researchers have pioneered a low-cost and scalable plasma-based method to produce ammonia gas directly from air, offering a green alternative to the traditional fossil fuel-dependent Haber-Bosch process.
A magnitude 5.5 earthquake struck off Japan’s Tokara Islands on Wednesday, with no tsunami warning issued but residents advised to remain vigilant.
The United States has rescinded licensing restrictions on ethane exports to China, allowing shipments to resume after a temporary halt and signalling progress in efforts to ease recent trade tensions.
Italy plans to grant approximately 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, as announced in a cabinet statement. The initiative aims to address labor shortages by expanding legal immigration pathways
A deadly mass shooting early on Monday (7 July) in Philadelphia's Grays Ferry neighbourhood left three men dead and nine others wounded, including teenagers, as more than 100 shots were fired.
China has warned Myanmar's Kachin rebels it will block rare-earth imports from their territory unless they halt an offensive on a key junta stronghold, raising fears over the global supply of critical minerals.
China has consolidated its rare-earth sector into two state-owned giants, tightened export quotas, and introduced new supply-chain tracking systems as part of a sweeping push to reinforce its global dominance in critical mineral processing.
Beijing has warned the Trump administration against restoring steep U.S. tariffs next month and signalled it will retaliate against countries that cut China out of supply chains through bilateral deals with Washington.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for 8th July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday told President Donald Trump he had nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, handing Trump a nomination letter during a meeting at The White House. The two leaders met for the first time since the US launched strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment