Recovery on the Rack
Morning, I'm Chloé Meley
If Chancellor Rachel Reeves was hoping for some good news going into the weekend, she should look away now.
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Yahoo
32 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Europe to give Iran message that US open to direct talks
By Francois Murphy, John Irish and Parisa Hafezi GENEVA (Reuters) -European foreign ministers will tell their Iranian counterpart on Friday that the U.S. is open to direct talks even as it considers joining Israeli strikes intended to smash Tehran's nuclear capacity, diplomats said before a meeting in Geneva. Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi will be told that Iran must send a "clear signal," two diplomats told Reuters, with pressure mounting on Tehran to agree tough curbs on its nuclear programme to prevent the potential development of an atomic weapon. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke to several Western counterparts prior to the Geneva meeting, the diplomats said, indicating readiness to engage directly with Tehran. Washington did not confirm that, though broadcaster CNN quoted a U.S. official saying President Donald Trump supported diplomacy from allies that could bring Iran closer to a deal. Tehran, however, has repeatedly said it will not talk to the Trump government until Israeli attacks end. The ministers from Britain, France and Germany, known as the E3, plus the European Union's foreign policy chief, were meeting separately prior to planned face-to-face talks with Araqchi. "The Iranians can't sit down with the Americans whereas we can," said a European diplomat. "We will tell them to come back to the table to discuss the nuclear issue before the worst-case scenario, while raising our concerns over its ballistic missiles, support to Russia and detention of our citizens." The Trump administration is demanding Iran stop uranium enrichment altogether, whereas the E3 have in past talks left it some scope to enrich for civil ends in exchange for extremely strict international inspections of its nuclear activities. On Friday, French President Emmanuel Macron shifted closer to Trump's position, saying that any new deal with Tehran needed to go towards zero enrichment. A senior Iranian official told Reuters Iran is ready to discuss limitations on its uranium enrichment but said the prospect of zero enrichment would undoubtedly be rejected, especially while Israel was attacking Iran. IRAN DEMANDS END TO WAR The talks were due for mid-afternoon in Geneva, where an initial accord between Iran and world powers to curb its nuclear programme in return for sanctions lifting was struck in 2013 before a comprehensive deal in 2015. Separate talks between Iran and the U.S. collapsed when Israel launched what it called Operation Rising Lion against Iran's nuclear facilities and ballistic capabilities on June 12. "There is no room for negotiations with the U.S. until Israeli aggression stops," Araqchi was quoted as saying on Iranian state TV on Friday. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot spoke to Rubio on Thursday night, during which Rubio said Washington was ready for direct contact with the Iranians any time, according to a French diplomatic source. The main message Europeans will pass to Araqchi is that the U.S. has signalled readiness for direct talks, but that Iran must give a serious signal, the two European diplomats said, without defining what the signal should be. Trump's special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has spoken to Araqchi several times since last week, sources say. While diplomats did not expect a breakthrough in Geneva, they said it was vital to engage with Iran because once the war stopped the nuclear issue would remain unresolved given that Tehran would still retain the scientific know-how. "Even now, if they have something to say, we will listen," Araqchi said of the Europeans. "We are not ashamed of defending our nation's rights and we are not avoiding anyone." German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said European powers had always been ready to talk provided Iran committed to not developing nuclear weapons. "Now it's Iran's move," he said. Trump has said he will decide within two weeks whether to join Israeli strikes.
Yahoo
36 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Israel slams UN rights council for giving floor to Iran ahead of nuclear talks
By Olivia Le Poidevin GENEVA (Reuters) -Israel's ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva has raised "vehement objection" to Iran addressing the Human Rights Council ahead of talks with European counterparts in Geneva to try to de-escalate the conflict, according to a letter seen by Reuters. "Affording the Iranian foreign minister the floor before this body continues to undermine the council's credibility and constitutes a blatant betrayal of the many victims of this regime worldwide," Daniel Meron said in a letter addressed to council president Jurg Lauber. The council said on Friday said that Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was due to be given the floor. Shortly afterwards, he is due to hold talks with the EU foreign policy chief and his counterparts in Britain, France and Germany in order to de-escalate the conflict. In the letter, Meron accuses Iran of using the council as a international stage to "promote the regime's despotic campaign." On Wednesday, the Iranian Ambassador to the U.N. in Geneva addressed the council and accused Israeli attacks as representing an act of "war against humanity". Israel began attacking Iran last Friday, saying it aimed to prevent its longtime enemy from developing nuclear weapons. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israel. It says its nuclear programme is peaceful.
Yahoo
39 minutes ago
- Yahoo
US and UK sign a trade deal, but steel imports are still in question
US president Donald Trump and British prime minister Keir Starmer said Monday that they had signed a trade deal that will slash tariffs on UK auto and aerospace industry imports — but they are still discussing how to handle steel production. "We just signed it, and it's done," Trump said, as the pair spoke to reporters at the Group of Seven summit (G7) in the Canadian Rockies, with the US president brandishing the pages of what he said was a long-awaited agreement. The rollout was anything but smooth, however, as Trump dropped the papers and said at first that his administration had reached an agreement with the European Union when he meant the United Kingdom. The president said that the pact is "a fair deal for both" and would "produce a lot of jobs, a lot of income." British prime minister, Keir Starmer, said it meant "a very good day for both our countries, a real sign of strength." Reaching this agreement is a significant step as Trump has threatened much of the world with steep import tariffs that have unsettled markets and raised the possibility of a global trade war. Related President Trump says he'll set unilateral tariff rates within weeks UK economy contracts sharply in April: Will the BoE respond? He has since backed off on many of his proposed levies but also continued to suggest that administration officials were furiously negotiating new trade pacts with dozens of countries — even if few have yet to materialise. Trump said, "the UK is very well protected" from tariffs. "You know why? Because I like them." The signing of the deal at the G7 followed Trump and Starmer's announcement in May that they'd reached a framework for a trade pact that would slash US import taxes on British cars, steel and aluminium in return for greater access to the British market for US products, including beef and ethanol. But Monday's agreement fully covers only British cars and aerospace materials, with more work to come on steel. The British government said the new agreement removes US tariffs on UK aerospace products, exempting Britain from a 10% levy the Trump White House has sought to impose on all other countries — a boost to British firms, including engine-maker Rolls-Royce. It also sets the tax on British autos at 10% from the end of the month, down from the current 27.5%, up to a quota of 100,000 vehicles a year. UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said the deal protects "jobs and livelihoods in some of our most vital sectors." Mike Hawes, chief executive of Britain's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said it was "great news for the UK automotive industry." There was no final agreement to cut the tax on British steel to zero as originally anticipated — seen as vital to preserving the UK's beleaguered steel industry. Britain's steel output has fallen 80% since the late 1960s due to high costs and the rapid growth of cheaper Chinese production. Related EU 'strongly regrets' Trump's announcement to double steel and aluminium tariffs to 50% Spring 2025 economic forecast: How much will Trump's tariffs hinder EU growth? After the two leaders spoke, the White House released a statement seeking to clarify matters, saying that with respect to steel and aluminium, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick will "determine a quota of products that can enter the United States without being subject" to previous tariffs imposed by the Trump administration. The British government said Monday that the plan was still for "0% tariffs on core steel products as agreed." Trump's executive order authorising the deal contained several references to the security of supply chains, reflecting the US administration's concerns about China. It said the UK "committed to working to meet American requirements on the security of the supply chains of steel and aluminium products intended for export to the United States." There was also no final deal on pharmaceuticals, where "work will continue," the UK said. The deal signed Monday also confirms that American farmers can export 13,000 metric tons (29 million pounds) of beef to the UK each year, and vice versa — though a British ban on hormone-treated beef remains in place.
