12 August 2025: ‘Trump declares D.C crime emergency, federalises Police' and other world headlines
Here are the stories that made headlines on the front pages of newspapers worldwide on Tuesday, 12 August 2025.
The New York Times front page reports that Trump proclaims federal control of the DC police.
The Washington Post reported that Trump has ramped up federal control in D.C.
The Jerusalem Post's front page reported that both sides must resume talks to reach an immediate ceasefire.
China Daily's front page reported that ties help bolster heritage protection.
The Daily Mail's front page reported that A&E waits fuel 4 000 attacks on NHS staff each year.
The Guardian's front page reported: 'The Truth Has Died: Global fury as Israel strike kills journalists.'
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The South African
41 minutes ago
- The South African
US and China extend tariff truce to November, averting escalation
President Trump signed an executive order on 11 August 2025, extending the US-China tariff truce by 90 days. The move delays a planned hike to 145% tariffs on Chinese goods and 125% on US exports. Both countries will maintain current rates of 30% for US tariffs and 10% for China until November 10. The White House cited the need to 'remedy trade imbalances' and 'preserve economic stability' during peak retail season. The extension follows bilateral negotiations held in Stockholm on 28-29 July 2025, under the Geneva Joint Statement framework. Delegates agreed to suspend 24% of additional ad valorem duties and ease non-tariff barriers. China committed to lifting certain export controls and suspending its 'unreliable entity' list restrictions. US officials confirmed the truce would allow time to address national security concerns and rare earth access. TECH EXPORTS AND OIL PURCHASES REMAIN STICKING POINTS Despite the truce, unresolved issues persist, including China's purchases of Russian oil and US tech export restrictions. Nvidia and AMD agreed to pay 15% of China-related AI chip revenues to the US government to retain export licences. Beijing has reportedly urged firms to avoid Nvidia's H20 chip, citing national security risks. Analysts warn that unresolved tensions, including tech export controls and oil purchases, could complicate or delay future trade negotiations, especially given that the tariff truce is set to expire in early November 2025. A summit between Trump and Xi Jinping is expected in late October, likely on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The expected Trump–Xi summit may advance negotiations on industrial subsidies, market access, and reciprocal tariffs, but no final trade deal has been confirmed.' Experts say the truce extension stabilises markets and signals diplomatic intent but warn that deeper structural issues remain unresolved. Analysts say the move 'boosts short-term confidence among importers and manufacturers,' particularly in sectors exposed to tariff volatility and supply chain disruptions. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 11. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
41 minutes ago
- The Citizen
US tariffs: SA sends new proposal but no changes to laws
The new offer sent by South Africa responds to the issues the US previously raised. South Africa sent off its new proposal to avoid the US tariff of 30% on goods from South Africa exported to the US, but the country is not planning to change the laws that seem to be on the US president's agenda. Parks Tau, minister of trade, industry and competition, said at a press conference on Tuesday that since the 30% unilateral tariff imposed by the US which came into force on 7 August, government has been working on a response anchored on five key elements: continued engagement with the United States to secure a deal and reduce the tariffs; diversification of exports to alternate markets; an economic response package to vulnerable companies and workers; trade defence against import surge and dumping; and demand side interventions. He said regarding continued engagement with the US, cabinet approved that South Africa submits a revised offer as a basis for negotiations. The new offer builds on the previous offer submitted in May and substantively responds to the issues the US raised in the 2025 National Trade Estimates Report. ALSO READ: BEE left out of US trade talks – Minister Lamola SA on top of sanitary measures Tau pointed out that South Africa already addressed sanitary and phytosanitary measures in compliance with the bio-security protocols for: Poultry: South Africa granted market access under the conditional self-ban and self-lifting system to ensure that the US can leverage the tariff rate quota of 72 000 tons already agreed to in 2016; Blueberries: South Africa granted market access for states that are free of fruit fly and agreed to mitigation measures with those states with fruit fly; and Pork: which is open subject to the bio-security requirements. 'Consequently, the USA-Africa Trade Desk informed us that it will be shipping containers of poultry and pork to South Africa in two weeks' time, which is testimony that these issues have been resolved.' Another significant request from the US was that South Africa consider reducing tariffs as a way to address the deficit and tariff disparity with the European Union due to the SADC-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Tau said South Africa continues consultations with industry and in this regard, in consultation with other members of the Southern African Customs Union, will identify specific lines to respond to this request.' ALSO READ: Government must actively manage fallout from US tariffs with trade crisis committee – BLSA Cabinet endorsed economic response package to US tariffs Cabinet also endorsed the economic response package that includes: The establishment of an export support desk, which will serve as a direct point of contact for affected companies. Tau said, so far, it has helped 23 companies. In addition, the department also initiated meetings with more than 54 South African exporters to the US, focusing on updates on the negotiations, clarifications on tariffs, elements of an economic response package and issues linked to market diversification. Measures to assist companies to absorb the tariff and facilitate long-term resilience and growth strategies to protect jobs and productive capacity in South Africa. A localisation support fund (LSF) for affected companies to contribute to the national effort. The Export and Competitiveness Support Programme (ECSP), which will include a working capital facility and plant and equipment facility to address short to medium term needs across all industries. Working with the department of employment and labour on measures to mitigate potential job losses, using existing instruments within its entities that can be adjusted to respond to the current challenges. After consultations with the Competition Commission, a block exemption for exporters was introduced to enable collaboration and coordination among competitors. A draft block exemption will be published by the end of the week to conclude the process as fast as possible. Information will be available on the department's website. ALSO READ: South Africa has to cast its trade net wider Finding alternative export markets About finding alternate export markets, Tau said the new US tariff on South Africa's exports is a significant policy shift that necessitates a clear and decisive response. 'South Africa accelerated its diversification efforts of export markets and enhanced competitiveness to mitigate the economic impact of losing preferential trade access. 'The diversification is a strategic imperative to ensure our economy is more resilient to economic shocks. This is not a plan B but a plan A for long-term resilience and competitiveness. 'We are committed to strengthening our relationships, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area, to build regional resilience. We will also continue the work we started with our European partners towards enhancing our trade and investment relations in a manner that unlocks sustainable growth and development and entrenches South Africa in new supply chains.' He added that government is also looking at Asia, including Japan, Vietnam and Thailand, the Middle East and India. 'We are pursuing these markets because we see growing demand, existing negotiations and a positive reception to South African products. 'This is not just about trade numbers but directly linked to job protection. Diversification is about protecting rural livelihoods and sustainable agricultural growth for our people.' ALSO READ: 'It's just gone' – Trump's tariffs cost SA company R750m overnight High-level negotiation team ready to talk about US tariffs A high-level negotiation team, including the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition and the Department of Agriculture, has been identified to engage the US, Tau says. 'Our goal is to demonstrate that South African exports do not pose a threat to US industries and that our trade relationship is in fact complementary. 'While the US is our third largest trading partner after the EU and China, South Africa is the 43rd export destination for the United States and accounts for 0.25% of total US imports and therefore not a threat to US production. 'In addition, the US market accounts for about 4% of our total agriculture exports, or R9.8 billion ($537 million) of our total agricultural exports, an increase of 104% from 2018.' Turning to protecting domestic industry against import surge and dumping, Tau pointed out the unilateral US tariffs do not only apply to South Africa. The US tariffs also affect over 130 trading partners and many of the US orders that now face prohibitive restrictions will seek other 'outlets', he said. 'In addition, chronic overcapacity observed in the world markets for key product markets like steel, glass, subsidised agricultural products, solar and automotive vehicles will make this search incessantly harmful for our domestic industry.' ALSO READ: US tariff an existential threat for a third of metals and engineering sector SA ready to protect its industry, Tau says 'Therefore, South Africa stands ready to make use of its trade remedy measures to safeguard and protect its industry, within the prevailing agreements of the World Trade Organisation. This will involve the consideration and use of anti-dumping, anti-subsidy and safeguard measures to protect the domestic industry which may be affected by trade deflection and/or diversion.' Speaking about demand side interventions to leverage the buying power of local consumers, private sector and government, Tau said Proudly South Africa will intensify outreach with corporates and retailers through its online store and Market Access Platform (MAP) procurement tool targeted at the private sector to support increased domestic sales of products, with future export capability of the online platform to be used to assist with export market diversification.
eNCA
an hour ago
- eNCA
SA to offer US new deal to avoid 30% tariff
PRETORIA - South Africa will offer a "generous" new trade deal to the United States to avoid 30-percent tariffs, ministers said on Tuesday. Washington on Friday slapped the huge tariff on some South African exports, the highest in sub-Saharan Africa, despite efforts by Pretoria to negotiate a better arrangement to avoid massive job losses. The ministers did not release details of the new offer but said previously discussed measures to increase imports of US poultry, blueberries and pork had been finalised. "When the document is eventually made public, I think you would see it as a very broad, generous and ambitious offer to the United States on trade," Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen said at a press briefing. Officials have said the 30-percent tariff could cost the economy around 30,000 jobs. "Our goal is to demonstrate that South African exports do not pose a threat to US industries and that our trade relationship is, in fact, complementary," Trade Minister Parks Tau said. The United States is South Africa's third-largest trading partner after the European Union and China. However, South African exports account for only 0.25 percent of total US imports and are "therefore not a threat to US production", Tau said. Steenhuisen said US diplomats raised issues related to South African domestic policies, which was a "surprise given the fact we thought we were in a trade negotiation". The two nations are at odds over a range of policies. US President Donald Trump has criticised land and employment laws meant to redress racial inequalities that linger 30 years after the end of apartheid. "Things like expropriation without compensation, things like some of the race laws in the country, are issues that they regard as barriers now to doing trade with South Africa," he told AFP on the sidelines of the briefing.
