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25% US tariffs hit Japan and South Korea

25% US tariffs hit Japan and South Korea

Shafaq News6 days ago
Shafaq News – Washington
On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced the imposition of 25% tariffs on imports from South Korea and Japan, citing ongoing trade imbalances with the two key American allies in Asia.
According to official letters sent to his counterparts, Trump affirmed that the new tariffs will take effect on August 1, stressing the need to correct what he described as unfair trade practices.
He warned that any retaliatory measures—such as raising tariffs on American products—would be met with additional duties. 'If you choose for any reason to raise your tariffs, whatever percentage you decide will be added to the 25% we are imposing,' Trump stated.
The US President also posted messages on Truth Social addressed to countries affected by the new tariffs, reiterating his administration's firm stance on trade fairness.
Financial markets reacted to the announcement. The S&P 500 fell by around 1% in afternoon trading, while yields on US Treasury bonds rose to approximately 4.39%.
Earlier, Trump threatened
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PKK disarms in blaze of weapons: Region hails new path to peace
PKK disarms in blaze of weapons: Region hails new path to peace

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  • Shafaq News

PKK disarms in blaze of weapons: Region hails new path to peace

Shafaq News On Friday, July 11, a dramatic scene unfolded on a secluded hillside outside al-Sulaymaniyah, in Iraq's northern Kurdistan Region, where dozens of Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) fighters staged a rare public disarmament ceremony. Marching in silence, each guerrilla laid down an AK-47, sidearm, or bandolier into a grey iron cauldron before stepping back. As the pile of weapons grew shoulder-high, attendants doused it in fuel and set it ablaze, sending flames and thick black smoke skyward in a powerful symbolic act. Four senior PKK commanders watched from a raised platform, led by Bese Hozat, co-chair of the Kurdistan Community Union (KCK) and the group's most senior figure to appear publicly since its March truce declaration. Reading in Turkish, Hozat declared, 'The era of armed struggle is over,' and pledged to address the Kurdish question through 'democratic, civilian means,' calling for dialogue grounded in 'justice, freedom, and mutual respect.' 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Soon after, Mola Nader of the Group for Peace and Democratic Society confirmed to Shafaq News that the fighters had returned to Jasana Mountain. He urged Turkiye to issue a general amnesty and embrace constitutional reforms ensuring inclusive citizenship. A statement from the group credited PKK founder Abdullah Ocalan and the party's 12th congress for guiding the shift, reaffirming a commitment to achieving 'freedom, democracy, and socialism' through peaceful means. It warned that the Middle East is descending into bloodshed and called on regional and global actors to respect Kurdish rights and support democratic transformation through education, grassroots organization, and political reform. This unprecedented event came just two months after the PKK officially announced its dissolution on May 12, ending a 47-year armed campaign that claimed more than 40,000 lives. Kurdistan Throws Weight Behind Peace Kurdistan's top political figures moved quickly to endorse the shift. 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He also thanked President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for his leadership and extended respect to Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Leader Devlet Bahceli, Ocalan, and all individuals contributing to the process. Baghdad Welcomes 'Milestone' in PKK Disarmament From Baghdad, Iraq's Ministry of Foreign Affairs framed the ceremony as 'an important milestone' and 'a real opportunity' for reconciliation. It praised the move as a practical beginning to end decades of armed conflict and encouraged renewed efforts toward peaceful coexistence. Iraq emphasized that this step could reduce tensions, strengthen cooperation with Turkiye, and lay the groundwork for a wider regional dialogue—one that confronts the roots of conflict and builds long-term stability while respecting mutual sovereignty. A Greater Turkiye in Sight In Ankara, President Erdogan welcomed the PKK's disarmament as the dawn of a new era and thanked both Baghdad and the Kurdistan Region for their role in the process. Addressing supporters, he estimated that the conflict had claimed nearly 10,000 Turkish soldiers and cost Turkiye around $2 trillion. 'The 47-year plague of terrorism has entered its final stage,' he declared. 'Today marks a new beginning and opens the doors to a stronger, greater Turkiye.' The Turkish president further stressed that unity was key to progress: 'When hearts unite, borders disappear.' As part of the next steps, Erdogan announced plans to form a parliamentary committee to begin discussing the legal framework needed to advance the handover of weapons. 'This phase demands sensitivity, and we will closely monitor the process.' Others in Ankara echoed the sentiment. Bahceli called it a key moment in ending 'separatist violence.' Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesperson Omer Celik described the ceremony as the first step in a broader disarmament effort and called for rapid implementation to achieve a 'future free from terrorism.' Still, not everyone was convinced. 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timean hour ago

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Iraq's gold reserves surge 17% since December
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Shafaq News

timean hour ago

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Iraq's gold reserves surge 17% since December

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