
Trump: willing to extend July 8 deadline for trade talks, but not likely necessary
WASHINGTON, June 11 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would be willing to extend a July 8 deadline for completing trade talks with countries before higher U.S. tariffs take effect, but did not believe that would be necessary.
Trump, speaking to reporters before a performance of "Les Miserables" at the Kennedy Center, said trade negotiations were continuing with about 15 countries, including South Korea, Japan and the European Union.
He said the U.S. would send out letters in one to two weeks outlining the terms of trade deals to dozens of other countries, which they could embrace or reject.
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Reuters
36 minutes ago
- Reuters
Israel says it strikes Iran amid nuclear tensions
JERUSALEM/TEHRAN/WASHINGTON, June 13 (Reuters) - Israel said early on Friday that it struck Iran, and Iranian media said explosions were heard in Tehran as tensions mounted over U.S. efforts to win Iran's agreement to halt production of material for an atomic bomb. Israel said it was declaring a state of emergency in anticipation of a missile and drone strike by Tehran. An Israeli military official said Israel was striking "dozens" of nuclear and military targets. The official said Iran had enough material to make 15 nuclear bombs within days. "Following the preemptive strike by the State of Israel against Iran, a missile and UAV (drone) attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate timeframe," Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement. Two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said Israel had begun carrying out strikes on Iran and there was no U.S. assistance or involvement in the operation. CNN reported that U.S. President Donald Trump was convening a cabinet meeting. Crude oil prices jumped more than $3 a barrel on the news. Iran's state TV said several explosions were heard in Tehran and the country's air defence system was on full alert. U.S. and Iranian officials were scheduled to hold a sixth round of talks on Tehran's escalating uranium enrichment programme in Oman on Sunday, according to officials from both countries and their Omani mediators. But the talks have appeared to be deadlocked. Trump said on Thursday an Israeli strike on Iran "could very well happen" but reiterated his hopes for a peaceful resolution. U.S. intelligence had indicated that Israel was making preparations for a strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, and U.S. officials said on condition of anonymity that Israel could attack in the coming days. Israel has long discussed striking its longtime foe Iran in an effort to block Tehran from developing a nuclear weapon. The U.S. military is planning for the full range of contingencies in the Middle East, including the possibility that it might have to help evacuate American civilians, a U.S. official told Reuters, speaking on condition of anonymity.


Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Quotes: Stocks, oil sell off as Israel strikes Iran
SINGAPORE, June 13 (Reuters) - Israel has begun carrying out strikes on Iran, two U.S. officials said, adding there was no U.S. assistance or involvement in the operation. The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, declined to provide further information. Financial markets reacted, with U.S. stock futures down more than 1%, oil prices jumping and U.S. Treasury prices up. QUOTES: KARL SCHAMOTTA, CHIEF MARKET STRATEGIST, CORPAY, TORONTO: "Traders are scurrying for safety as reports of a strike on Iran cross the wires, but details on the scale and magnitude of the attack remain scarce and moves have been relatively limited thus far." CHARU CHANANA, CHIEF INVESTMENT STRATEGIST, SAXO, SINGAPORE: "The geopolitical escalation adds another layer of uncertainty to already fragile sentiment. "The key question now is whether this marks a brief flare-up or the beginning of broader regional escalation. If the situation de-escalates quickly, markets may retrace some of the initial moves. But if tensions rise — particularly with any threat to oil supply routes — the risk-off mood could persist, keeping upward pressure on crude and haven assets."


Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Norfolk Southern board elects Richard Anderson as chair
June 12 (Reuters) - Railroad operator Norfolk Southern (NSC.N), opens new tab said on Thursday it had elected former Delta Air Lines CEO Richard Anderson as the independent chair of the board effective immediately. Anderson will additionally serve as chair of the Executive Committee and Strategy & Planning Committee, the company said. The aviation veteran's appointment comes after Claude Mongeau resigned from the U.S. railway operator's board as chairman earlier this month, citing personal reasons. In May last year, activist hedge fund Ancora Holdings won backing from Norfolk Southern shareholders for board representation, resulting in Anderson's appointment to the company's board.