
EU chief to meet Trump for trade talks
Von der Leyen said in a post on social media platform X that the two leaders had a "good call" and agreed to meet in Scotland to "discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong."
Trump told reporters before departing for Scotland that "I would say that we have a 50-50 chance, maybe less than that, but a 50-50 chance of making a deal with the EU." The president is on a five-day visit, during which he is expected to visit two of his golf resorts and meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Earlier this month, Trump threatened to impose 30 percent tariffs on European Union (EU) goods starting Aug. 1, prompting Brussels to accelerate trade talks.
Should talks fail, EU member states have backed a retaliatory tariff package on around 93 billion euros (109 billion U.S. dollars) worth of U.S. imports, due to kick in on Aug. 7. (1 euro = 1.17 dollar)

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Malay Mail
a few seconds ago
- Malay Mail
‘Persona non grata': Netherlands bars two Israeli ministers over incitement, ‘ethnic cleansing' accusations
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Malay Mail
a few seconds ago
- Malay Mail
UK to recognise Palestinian state in September, unless Israel agrees to Gaza ceasefire
LONDON, July 30 — Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday the UK will formally recognise the State of Palestine in September unless Israel takes various 'substantive steps', including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza. The potentially landmark move, part of Starmer's plan for a 'lasting peace', came after the British leader recalled his cabinet from recess for urgent talks on the worsening situation in the besieged territory. Starmer's move, paired with Paris also saying it will recognise a Palestinian state in September, would make the two European allies the first G7 nations to do so. In a televised Downing Street address immediately after the cabinet meeting, Starmer said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state if Israel has not taken the steps demanded by the time the UN General Assembly is held in September. It must 'end the appalling situation in Gaza, agree to a ceasefire and commit to a long-term, sustainable peace, reviving the prospect' of a two-state solution, he added. 'I've always said we will recognise a Palestinian state as a contribution to a proper peace process, at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution,' Starmer said. 'With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act.' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded, saying: 'Starmer rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism & punishes its victims.' 'A jihadist state on Israel's border TODAY will threaten Britain TOMORROW. Appeasement towards jihadist terrorists always fails. It will fail you too. It will not happen,' he posted on the social media platform X. The UK leader also detailed several demands for militant group Hamas, which is holding Israeli hostages seized in its attacks on October 7, 2023. 'They must immediately release all of the hostages, sign up to a ceasefire, disarm and accept that they will play no part in the government of Gaza,' he said. 'Hand of history' Israel's foreign ministry also said it 'rejects' the UK move, arguing it 'constitutes a reward for Hamas and harms efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza'. Starmer spoke to Netanyahu before the announcement, telling him 'the situation in Gaza was intolerable,' a Downing Street spokeswoman said. 'He urged the prime minister to take immediate action to lift all restrictions on aid access,' she added in a readout of the call. Starmer also talked to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, who 'welcomed' the recognition announcement, the spokeswoman noted. The UK move follows French President Emmanuel Macron announcing last week that Paris would recognise a Palestinian state during the UN General Assembly meeting on September 23. Although more than 140 countries already recognise the State of Palestine, none of them carry the weight of Britain and France, who are nuclear-armed allies of Israel with permanent seats on the UN Security Council. On Tuesday, France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot welcomed London joining 'the momentum created by France' to 'stop the endless cycle of violence'. Macron's announcement drew a strong rebuke from both Israel and fellow G7 member the United States. Starmer said Tuesday his government 'will make an assessment in September on how far the parties have met' the demands. But he insisted: 'No one should have a veto over our decision.' Britain's Foreign Secretary David Lammy, attending a UN conference in New York led by France and Saudi Arabia to promote the two-state solution, echoed the sentiment. Lammy said it was 'with the hand of history on our shoulders' that London planned to recognise Palestinian statehood, given Britain's pivotal role in Israel's creation through the 1917 Balfour Declaration. 'Suffering' Starmer has been under growing domestic and international pressure to formally recognise a Palestinian state. More than 220 British lawmakers from nine parties including Labour published a letter last Friday urging him to take the step. It was included in Labour's election-winning manifesto last year, as part of 'a two-state solution with a safe and secure Israel alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian state'. But the pressure has risen as the humanitarian situation in Gaza has dramatically worsened. 'The Palestinian people have endured terrible suffering,' Starmer said in his TV address, adding it 'must end'. His office said the UK had dropped its first aid, including 'lifesaving supplies', by air Tuesday into Gaza, with the help of Jordan. The UK leader thanked its king, Abdullah II, in a call. 'However, they agreed that this could not be a substitute for truck deliveries by land, which are the only way to deliver the level of food and other aid urgently needed,' Starmer's spokeswoman said. — AFP


The Sun
a few seconds ago
- The Sun
Britain warns Israel over Palestinian state recognition amid Gaza crisis
UNITED NATIONS/LONDON: Britain has warned Israel it may formally recognise a Palestinian state in September unless immediate steps are taken to alleviate suffering in Gaza, where starvation is spreading. The announcement follows a hunger monitor's warning that famine thresholds have been reached, with over 60,000 Palestinians confirmed dead in Israel's offensive. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's stance increases international pressure on Israel, echoing France's recent pledge to recognise Palestinian statehood. Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the move, calling it a 'reward for terrorism.' Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, however, praised the decision as 'bold.' The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported severe malnutrition and disease in Gaza, with famine conditions worsening. Gaza health authorities state 147 people, including 88 children, have died from hunger-related causes in recent weeks. The UN World Food Programme says aid access remains insufficient despite Israel's announced humanitarian pauses. Israel denies deliberately causing starvation, with Foreign Minister Gideon Saar dismissing claims as 'lies.' Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump refrained from endorsing Palestinian statehood, stating Hamas should not be rewarded. The conflict, triggered by Hamas' October 2023 attack on Israel, has become the deadliest in Israel's history. Gaza officials report thousands more bodies buried under rubble, suggesting the actual death toll is far higher. Recent Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza killed at least 30, including women and children. As global outcry grows, Israel faces increasing isolation, with calls to allow unrestricted aid into Gaza. However, US support for Israel remains firm, with Trump's administration showing no signs of recognising Palestinian statehood. - Reuters