Trump accuses China of violating 'fast deal' on tariffs
US president Donald Trump on Friday said China had violated an agreement with the US to mutually roll back tariffs and trade restrictions for critical minerals and issued a new veiled threat to get tougher with Beijing.
"China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!," Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform.
Mr Trump said that he made a "fast deal" in mid-May with Chinese officials for both countries to back away from triple-digit tariffs for 90 days. He said he did this to save China from a "devastating" situation, factory closings and civil unrest caused by his tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese imports.
Mr Trump's message did not specify how China had violated the agreement made in Geneva, Switzerland and what action he would take against Beijing.
But a US official told Reuters said it appears China was moving slow on promises to issue export licenses for rare earth minerals.
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer also told CNBC that China was not in compliance with the Geneva deal, adding: "The Chinese are slow-rolling their compliance, which is completely unacceptable and it has to be addressed."
Mr Greer said the flow of critical minerals from China, which had been cut off by Chinese trade countermeasures, has not resumed as called for by the Geneva agreement.
A spokesperson for China's embassy in Washington did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Spokespersons for the White House, the US Treasury and the US Trade Representative's Office also did not respond to requests for comment.
On Thursday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Fox News Channel that US trade talks with China were "a bit stalled" and getting a deal over the finish line will likely need the direct involvement of Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Two weeks after breakthrough negotiations that resulted in a temporary truce in the trade war between the world's two biggest economies, Bessent said progress since then has been slow, but said he expects more talks in the next few weeks.
The US-China agreement to dial back triple-digit tariffs for 90 days prompted a massive relief rally in global stocks. But it did nothing to address the underlying reasons for Trump's tariffs on Chinese goods, mainly longstanding U.S. complaints about China's state-dominated, export-driven economic model, leaving those issues for future talks.
Reuters
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
4 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
World's largest car maker confirms it WILL build hot hatch in UK and invest £40million in a new assembly line
THE world's biggest car maker has confirmed it will build a popular hot hatch in the UK from next year as demand soars. Toyota says it will manufacture the GR Corolla from Burnaston, Derbyshire in a bid to ramp up production. Advertisement 3 The GR Corolla is currently only available in Japan Credit: Toyota 3 Camry vehicles move down the assembly line at the Toyota Motor Corp. manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Kentucky Credit: Getty 3 Toyota's car plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire Credit: PA:Press Association It follows reports that the car maker Toyota has denied that the move is related to Trump's tariffs, which place a 25% import tax on cars from Japan compared to just 10% from the UK. The announcement has further fulled speculation that the popular model, which is currently only available in specific markets, could soon be launched in Europe. The GR Corolla is currently only available in Japan - and is exported to North America and certain other markets. Advertisement read more in motors Prototypes were spotted being tested at Germany's Nürburgring last year, leading to speculation of a launch according to Autocar. However, a spokesperson suggested it was standard to test global products there - but did not deny the prospect of a European launch. Toyota currently sells the GR Yaris and the GR Supra in Europe . Yoshihiro Nakata, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, said: "We are proud that TMUK, our first plant in Europe, has also been selected as the first overseas Toyota plant to produce GR vehicles, securing this expansion project for TGR worldwide. Advertisement Most read in Motors "We very much appreciate the historical support and recognition of the United Kingdom and would like to continue to contribute to UK society as a 'Best in Town' company." The Burnaston plant currently produces Toyota's Corolla hatchback and estate for British and European markets. Popular car brand to launch new EV as company teases 'hammerhead' design to rival the Volvo EC40 But the proposed new investment could see production rates significantly boosted. Previous Reuters reports suggest that it could give the plant a capacity of 10,000 cars per year. Advertisement The reports add that Toyota's Motomachi plant in Japan , which handles GR output, is currently at full capacity. Burnaston built its five millionth car since opening in 1992 last year. Toyota invested a staggering £240million to upgrade the Burnaston plant back in 2017. Then Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said at the time: 'Our automotive sector is one of the most productive in the world and Toyota's decision to invest £240 million upgrading its Burnaston plant is a further boost to the UK auto sector. Advertisement "I also welcome the prospect of investment to take Toyota New Global Architecture into the supply chain. "Toyota is one of the world's largest car producers and this inward investment underlines the company's faith in its employees and will help ensure the plant is well positioned for future Toyota models to be made in the UK. "As we prepare to leave the EU, this Government is committed through our Industrial Strategy to ensuring the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business and we are able to help businesses seize on economic opportunities.'
Irish Examiner
5 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Ireland lodges formal protest after Israeli gunfire near peacekeepers in Lebanon
Ireland has lodged a formal letter of objection with Israel after shots were fired near Irish peacekeepers in southern Lebanon. The incident occurred during a joint patrol by the Irish Defence Forces, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil), and the Lebanese Armed Forces near the Blue Line on Thursday. None of the Irish personnel – recently deployed with Unifil as part of the 126th Infantry Battalion – were injured. Óglaigh na hÉireann confirmed on Thursday that all personnel were safe and continued to monitor the situation in southern Lebanon. At the direction of Minister for Defence Simon Harris, a formal demarche was delivered to the Israeli government through the United Nations. Ireland described the incident, which took place in the village of Yaroun, as "completely unacceptable" in terms of the safety of peacekeepers and the execution of their mandated duties. 'These concerns are held at the highest levels' of the Irish Government and the Defence Forces, it adds. Tánaiste Simon Harris was briefed on the incident by newly appointed Chief of Staff, Brigadier General Rossa Mulcahy. Just before noon on Thursday, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) opened fire in the area where the joint unit was conducting peacekeeping operations. No injuries were reported. Mr Harris said: 'It's clear to me that the actions of the IDF were reckless, intimidatory, totally unacceptable and a clear breach of the international rules surrounding peacekeeping. 'I want to pay tribute to our personnel deployed with Unifil, who are operating in an increasingly volatile and tense environment.' Read More Hamas responds to US-led Gaza deal with offer to release 10 hostages
RTÉ News
6 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Hamas responds to US truce proposal, says would free 10 living hostages
Hamas has said it has responded to a ceasefire proposal presented by US President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to mediators and included a demand for an end to the war, which had previously been a red line for Israel. The Palestinian group said in a statement that under the deal, it will release ten living hostages and 18 bodies in return for Israel's release of a number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees, comments in line with Mr Witkoff's proposal. The Hamas statement added: "This proposal aims to achieve a permanent ceasefire, a comprehensive withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, and ensure the flow of aid to our people and our families in the Gaza Strip." It said its response came "after conducting a round of national consultations". The statement did not mention that it was seeking any changes in the proposal, but a Palestinian official familiar with the talks told Reuters that Hamas sought some amendments while its response was positive. The Israeli Prime Minister's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Israeli media reported earlier this week that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the families of hostages held in Gaza that Israel had accepted the deal presented by Mr Witkoff. The prime minister's office declined to comment at the time. Deep differences between Hamas and Israel have stymied previous attempts to restore a ceasefire that broke down in March. Israel has insisted that Hamas disarm completely, be dismantled as a military and governing force and return all 58 hostages still held in Gaza before it will agree to end the war. Hamas has rejected the demand to give up its weapons and says Israel must pull its troops out of Gaza and commit to ending the war. Israel launched its campaign in Gaza in response to the Hamas attack in its south on 7 October 2023, that killed some 1,200 people and saw 251 Israelis taken hostage into Gaza, according to Israeli tallies. The subsequent Israeli military campaign has killed more than 54,000 Palestinians, Gaza health officials say, and has left the enclave in ruins. Conditions in Gaza are catastrophic despite renewed aid - UN The situation in Gaza is the worst since the war between Israel and Hamas began 19 months ago, the United Nations has said, despite a resumption of limited aid deliveries in the Palestinian enclave where famine looms. Under growing global pressure, Israel ended an 11-week-long blockade on Gaza 12 days ago, allowing limited UN-led operations to resume. Then on Monday, a controversial new avenue for aid distribution was also launched - the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, backed by the United States and Israel. "Any aid that gets into the hands of people who need it is good," UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York. But, he added, the aid deliveries so far overall have had "very, very little impact." "The catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst since the war began," he said. The UN and international aid groups have refused to work with the GHF because they say it is not neutral and has a distribution model that forces the displacement of Palestinians. Watch: 'Catastrophic situation in Gaza is the worst since the war began' - Dujarric Israel ultimately wants the UN to work through the GHF, which is using private US security and logistics companies to transport aid into Gaza for distribution by civilian teams at so-called secure distribution sites. However, Israel will allow aid deliveries "for the immediate future" via both the UN and the GHF operations, Israel's UN Ambassador Danny Danon said this week. GHF said that it has so far managed to distribute more than 2.1 million meals. Israel has long accused Hamas of stealing aid, which the group denies. The UN says that in the past 12 days it has only managed to transport some 200 truckloads of aid into Gaza, hindered by insecurity and Israeli access restrictions. It was not immediately clear how much of that aid reached those in need. It said some trucks and a World Food Programme warehouse have also been looted by desperate, hungry people. UN officials have also criticised Israeli limitations on what kind of aid they can provide. "Israeli authorities have not allowed us to bring in a single ready-to-eat meal. The only food permitted has been flour for bakeries. Even if allowed in unlimited quantities, which it hasn't been, it wouldn't amount to a complete diet for anyone," said Eri Kaneko, UN humanitarian affairs spokesperson. Some recipients of GHF aid said the packages include some rice, flour, canned beans, pasta, olive oil, biscuits and sugar. Under a complex process, Israel inspects and clears aid shipments, which are then transported to the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing. There the aid is offloaded and then reloaded on to other trucks for transport to warehouses in Gaza. Several hundred more truckloads of aid currently await UN collection from the Palestinian side of Kerem Shalom. "More aid would actually get to the people if you would collect the aid waiting for you by the crossings," COGAT, the Israeli military aid coordination agency, said to the UN in a posting on X. However, the UN said that on Tuesday the Israeli military denied all its requests to access Kerem Shalom to pick up the aid. And yesterday, when 65 trucks of aid managed to leave the crossing, all but five turned back due to intense fighting. Five trucks of medical aid managed to reach the warehouses of a field hospital, but "a group of armed individuals stormed the warehouses... looting large quantities of medical equipment, supplies, medicines and nutritional supplements that was intended for malnourished children," Mr Dujarric said.
