Western Allies' Self-Defeating Attack on Israel
At a time when the U.S. is questioning global commitments and challenging Western allies to step up as responsible partners, these three countries have committed an unnecessary and dangerous faux pas.
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Bloomberg
10 minutes ago
- Bloomberg
What's a ‘Secondary Tariff' Like the One Trump Imposed on India?
In his second term as US president, Donald Trump has used tariffs as a blanket solution to pursue a wide range of goals: increasing domestic manufacturing and foreign market access, boosting federal revenue, and even punishing the government of Brazil for prosecuting his political ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro. Now he's deployed a tool he calls a 'secondary tariff' in an effort to get countries to distance themselves from US adversaries. On Aug. 6, Trump announced that such a tariff on imports from India would take effect in 21 days. On top of an existing 25% levy on goods from India, he added an additional 25% tariff to penalize India for buying oil from Russia.
Associated Press
13 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Dispute over a major port contract threatens Haiti's fragile political stability
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) — The leader of Haiti's transitional presidential council claimed Wednesday that one of its communications employees was threatened and forced to publish a press release about a key contract involving the country's biggest port and two well-known members of its elite. The incident has deepened infighting within the council and further strained relations between Haiti's government and its private sector as a wealthy businessman prepares to take over the council's presidency on Thursday. Fritz Alphonse Jean, the council's current president, said in a statement that the Aug. 4 press release was published without his approval and despite his objections. He also said he was informed about pressure exerted by unidentified council members to dismiss another communications official who 'had refused to publish the note without his authorization.' Jean said a judge would determine whether to grant a 27-year lease to Caribbean Port Services instead of nine years as originally planned. 'Without this opinion, suspicions of corruption could further tarnish the (council's) credibility,' he said. Jean also demanded that Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé provide the council with explanations previously requested regarding the lease of the Port-au-Prince International Port, located in an area long controlled by powerful gangs. The press release that Jean condemned states the council met with Philippe Coles, president of Caribbean Port Services, and Edouard Baussan, a wealthy businessman with strong ties to Haiti's most powerful politicians. The release claimed that the 'fruitful discussions, conducted in complete transparency,' found that 'all necessary clarifications have been provided' and that the contract between the government and the company is legal. Caribbean Port Services is a private maritime logistics company that operates the international port in partnership with Haiti's Port Authority. It handles about 80% of the port's cargo container volume, according to its website. On Thursday, Jean will step down as council president as part of a rotation. He recently told The Associated Press that starting on Aug. 7, Haiti's two executive branches will be controlled by its private sector. Bocchit Edmond, a former ambassador to the U.S., said a businessman taking leadership of the council is an opportunity for the private sector to prove itself. He also condemned Jean's statement on Wednesday. 'I'm against the public bashing of the private sector,' he said. 'It's not a good thing at all for the country, for its political stability.' However, Jean said that some private sector members 'were active operators of the chaos in which Haiti is currently engulfed.' Some of Haiti's wealthy elites and powerful politicians have long been accused of financing and arming dozens of gangs, which the United Nations has noted in its reports. Gangs now control 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and continue to launch attacks in a bid to control more territory. Jean's announcement comes less than a week after U.S. officials announced they were aware of 'reported bribery attempts' aimed at destabilizing Haiti. In remarks to the AP, Jean called it 'a desperate and trivial effort to attract the sympathy of American congressmen and women, and the U.S. administration.' The council was created following the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry after gangs launched a series of attacks last year against critical government infrastructure. It is tasked with holding elections by February 2026. ___ Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico
CNN
13 minutes ago
- CNN
China seizes the moment to praise ‘beloved Brazilian coffee' as Trump's tariffs take effect
The 50% tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on many Brazilian products took effect Wednesday, a situation that China is already taking advantage of by opening its market to Brazilian coffee, one of the products most affected by the trade measures. China's embassy in Brasilia said that Chinese companies 'are arriving' in Brazil, sharing a video on X featuring its food delivery giant Meituan. 'And the bridge is bidirectional: Brazil is also consolidating its presence in China with its beloved Brazilian coffee,' the post said. Days earlier, the embassy announced that China had authorized 183 new Brazilian coffee companies to export to the Chinese market, with a five-year permit. In another message, it highlighted the growth of coffee consumption in the country, saying the beverage 'has been gaining a place in the daily lives of the Chinese.' A nation of coffee-drinkers, the United States is the world's largest coffee importer. Its main supplier is Brazil, which in 2024 shipped 30.7% of the 1.5 million metric tons bought by the US market. Analysts have told CNN that Trump's trade measures may prompt the Brazilian government to foster closer ties with other partners. While the United States has a trade surplus with Brazil, the White House has presented political arguments for the 40-percentage-point increase in tariffs on the South American country. An executive order that Trump signed last week with the new tariff scheme accuses the Brazilian government of committing 'serious human rights abuses' with its prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally who is on trial over an alleged coup plot against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. The order was signed days after Trump demanded in a letter that Brazil end the trial 'immediately,' accusing Lula of carrying out a 'witch hunt' against Bolsonaro. Lula responded by saying, 'The judiciary branch of power in Brazil is independent. The president of the Republic has no influence whatsoever,' adding that Bolsonaro 'is not being judged personally. He is being judged by the acts he tried to organize a coup d'etat.' The Brazilian government has promised to respond to Trump's trade measures, but has not yet announced what steps it will take. Lula has stated that his country must be treated as an equal in any potential trade negotiations with the United States, and emphasized that there is a 'limit to discussion' with the Trump administration. On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press conference that cooperation between Beijing and Brasília 'has benefited both peoples,' and assured that China is willing to deepen the relationship 'in various fields and add new strategic dimensions.'
