logo
France says Bessent receptive to idea of zero reciprocal tariffs

France says Bessent receptive to idea of zero reciprocal tariffs

Arab News30-04-2025

PARIS: US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is receptive to the idea of zero reciprocal tariffs between France and the United States, French finance minister Eric Lombard said, as France and the European Union continue tariff talks with the US
'He told me that this was not out of reach,' Lombard told Sud Radio on Wednesday as he summarised talks he had held with Bessent.
'We want to get back to zero tariffs. Our American partners have been softening their position,' he added.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Israel strikes Iran's capital, targets nuclear sites; top Iranian commander feared dead
Israel strikes Iran's capital, targets nuclear sites; top Iranian commander feared dead

Saudi Gazette

time2 hours ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Israel strikes Iran's capital, targets nuclear sites; top Iranian commander feared dead

JERUSALEM — Explosions rocked Tehran early Friday as Israel launched a large-scale attack targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities, with reports indicating that several senior figures, including the commander of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, may have been killed. Iranian state television said Gen. Hossein Salami, head of the powerful Revolutionary Guard, is feared dead in the strike. It also reported the deaths of another senior Guard official and two nuclear scientists. The Guard's headquarters in Tehran was reportedly set ablaze. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the offensive, saying the operation aims to neutralize Iran's nuclear ambitions and its ballistic missile arsenal. 'The attacks will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat,' Netanyahu said in a video address. Explosions were heard across multiple areas of the Iranian capital, including Chitgar in western Tehran. While no nuclear sites are known to be located there, smoke was seen rising from the full scope of damage across the country remains attack follows a major development on Thursday, when the International Atomic Energy Agency's Board of Governors censured Iran for failing to cooperate with inspectors — the first such move in two response, Iran vowed to expand its nuclear program by building a third enrichment facility and upgrading to advanced Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the military had carried out the warned of potential retaliation: 'Missile and drone attacks against Israel and its civilian population are expected immediately.'Katz also signed a special order declaring an emergency on the home front, urging civilians to follow safety Iran and Israel have since closed their airspace.U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Israel acted unilaterally and that the United States had no role in the operation.'We are not involved in strikes against Iran,' Rubio said, adding that the U.S. is focused on protecting its personnel in the also warned Iran not to target American Brent crude prices surged nearly 5% following the strikes, reflecting market fears of broader Israeli military declined to identify specific targets but confirmed nuclear and military sites were operation's duration and next targets remain undisclosed. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump, seen on the White House lawn with members of Congress as the strikes began, reportedly continued his public appearance despite the unfolding crisis. Earlier, Trump said he had urged Netanyahu to delay any action while Washington pursued diplomatic negotiations with Tehran. — Agencies

Israel's Strike on Iran 'Could Very Well Happen': Trump
Israel's Strike on Iran 'Could Very Well Happen': Trump

Leaders

time7 hours ago

  • Leaders

Israel's Strike on Iran 'Could Very Well Happen': Trump

The US President, Donald Trump, on Thursday said that Israel's attack on Iran looks very close, although he favors a deal with Tehran if it compromises, reported AFP. Israeli Attack Asked about Israel's potential attack on Iran, Trump replied: 'I don't want to say imminent, but it looks like it's something that could very well happen.' The US President also said that the Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, was considering a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, which he said could spark a 'massive conflict.' He urged Israel not to attack Iran, as Washington and Tehran are edging closer to a new nuclear deal. 'We are fairly close to a pretty good agreement,' he said. 'I don't want them going in, because I think it would blow it,' he added. Nuclear Deal Close Trump said he prefers negotiations with Iran to avoid conflict. However, he added that Tehran has to cede more ground in its negotiations with Washington to avoid conflict. 'I'd love to avoid the conflict. Iran's going to have to negotiate a little bit tougher – meaning they're going to have to give us some things that they're not willing to give us right now,' he told reporters. IAEA Resolution Trump's remarks came after the IAEA's Board of Governors announced that Iran is in breach of its non-proliferation obligations for the first time in 20 years. In response, Iran called the resolution 'political' and announced countermeasures, including establishing a third enrichment facility in a 'secure location,' and upgrading its centrifuges for advanced ones at Fordo, which will significantly boost Iran's production of enriched materials. Pulling US Personnel Amid escalating tensions, the US arranged the departure of non-essential personnel from locations around the Middle East, citing heightened security risks in the region. Moreover, the US Embassy in Israel issued a security alert instructing American government employees and their families to remain in the Tel Aviv area over security concerns. Trump said that Washington was pulling American personnel out of the region because 'it could be a dangerous place,' stressing that he would not allow Tehran to develop a nuclear weapon. Short link : Post Views: 1

Saudi Arabia and Netherlands sign agreements with investments exceeding SR428 million
Saudi Arabia and Netherlands sign agreements with investments exceeding SR428 million

Saudi Gazette

timea day ago

  • Saudi Gazette

Saudi Arabia and Netherlands sign agreements with investments exceeding SR428 million

Saudi Gazette Report AMSTERDAM — Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands have signed a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding (MoU) with investments exceeding SR428 million in Amsterdam. The agreements were inked between a number of Saudi and Dutch companies with the aim to develop and localize modern technologies in the environmental, water, and agricultural fields. Saudi Deputy Minister of Environment, Water, and Agriculture Eng. Mansour Al-Mushaiti attended the ceremony of signing 27 agreements and MoUs during his current visit to the Netherlands from June 10 to 12 in the presence of a number of the Dutch government officials as well as senior executives and business leaders from the public and private sectors. The signing included a MoU between the Saudi National Program for the Development of the Livestock and Fisheries Sector and the Dutch company VigGuard to establish cooperation to localize livestock disease control research. MoUs were also signed between the National Center for Sustainable Agriculture Research and Development, the Dutch Greenhouse Alliance, the Dutch company Hoogendoorn, Hudson River Biotechnology, and Wageningen University, to launch initiatives in the fields of agricultural technology and research, and to establish capacity-building partnerships in the fields of agricultural innovation, greenhouse farming solutions, and green biotechnology. The partnerships also included the signing of a MoU between the National Agricultural Services Company and Delphi to support agricultural innovation. MoUs were also signed between the Makkah Region Development Authority, Van der Hoeven Projects for Protected Agriculture and Horticulture, and Horizon 11 to transfer and localize biotechnology. A MoU was signed between Al-Yasin Agricultural Company and the Cobret Experimental Center to establish a partnership worth up to one million euros to promote biotechnology in control and crop protection. Another MoU was signed between the Saudi Greenhouse Management and Agricultural Marketing Company and Plantae and Certhon with the aim of investing in localizing innovations in the agricultural sector. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Lehaa Group of Companies for Trade and Agricultural Investment, the Dutch Royal HZPC Group, and the Gal Sahara Potato Production Company, with investments exceeding SR76 million. This will enhance potato production in the Kingdom, in addition to establishing a French fries factory equipped with the latest processing technologies. Eng. Mansour Al-Mushaiti also witnessed the signing of six MoUs between Dafa Agricultural Company and a number of companies specialized in the fields of vegetables, fruits, fertilizers, greenhouses, and software project supply, with investments exceeding SR292 million. It is worth noting that this visit comes within the framework of the plans and vision of the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture to enhance the global capacity of the Saudi agricultural sector, expand the production and export of local agricultural products, contribute to increasing the volume of trade between the Kingdom and the Netherlands, and strengthen international partnerships, in order to achieve the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store