EU-US trade deal does not include wine and spirits, says EU trade chief
He made the comments after the European Union and the United States detailed commitments made in a deal reached last month that includes a 15% US tariff on most imports from the bloc, including autos, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors and lumber.
'This one we didn't get in. But I can tell you that there is clear commitment from the European Commission to put it on the table', Sefcovic said, referring to wines and spirits.
The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States expressed disappointment in a statement.
'Without a permanent return to zero-for-zero tariffs on spirits, American distillers do not have the certainty to plan for future export and job growth without the fear of retaliatory tariffs returning', it said. It added that it was 'determined to continue engaging with the Trump administration to urge for additional negotiations'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
CM: Mughals, British looted India, SP & Cong erased nation's identity
1 2 Lucknow: Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Thursday accused the Congress and the Samajwadi Party of pushing the country into an identity crisis after centuries of Mughal loot and British exploitation. Speaking at the inauguration of the Rs 750-crore Shree cement plant in Etah, he said the two parties never worked for inclusive development, serving only their families while leaving traders and women unsafe. In contrast, he said, the double-engine govt's clear policies and zero tolerance for crime have taken UP to new heights of development. The Etah cement plant will generate 500 direct jobs in the area, a sign of progress in a region which, before 2017, was only known for crime and mafia, the CM said. Yogi said when Congress was in govt at the Centre, even cement was rationed and could only be procured through connections, which made a huge dent in the construction sector. "How could development happen with such intent and policies? Contrasting this with today's growth, India, which fell to the 11th place in the world economy by 2014 due to Congress and SP policies, has now risen to the 4th place under PM Modi and is set to become the third-largest economy within two years," he said. He alleged that the two opposition parties only worked for their families and never thought about inclusive development, leaving traders and women highly unsafe in the state. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Etah district, once synonymous with crime and mafia, land encroachment, and harassment of the poor, is now a hub of investment and industry, he added. Yogi outlined that the Jawaharpur thermal power plant near the new cement plant generates 1,500MW of power, while Shree Cement's unit created 500 direct jobs and more than 3,000 indirect jobs. He called this the real foundation of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat, where investment was leading to not just jobs but also strengthening trade, transport, and distribution networks. He credited this turnaround to strict action against mafia and rioters, which restored investor confidence in the state. "UP has received investment proposals worth Rs 45 lakh crore, out of which Rs 15 lakh crore have already been grounded, creating employment for 60 lakh youth. In addition to this, 60,244 youths, including many from Etah, were recruited into the police on merit. Under Mukhyamantri Yuva Yojana, 70,000 young entrepreneurs have received interest-free, guarantee-free loans to establish their own enterprises," he said. The CM highlighted Etah's traditional craft, praising the bell and 'ghunguru' industry for remaining an integral part of temple worship and music gatherings. He linked this cultural heritage with modern development, stating how this would become the basis of a Viksit UP-2047. "In the Assembly and Legislative Council, a 24-hour discussion was held on key sectors, and experts will now visit every district to train youth and prepare district-level roadmaps with public participation," he said. The CM assured full cooperation from govt to investors, adding: "The state will honour every promise made under its industrial policy. With modern infrastructure, four-lane connectivity, and welfare schemes, Etah will soon scale new heights of development." Praising Shree Cement, Yogi said the company was not only generating employment but also fulfilling its social responsibility. The Etah unit has so far provided free cement to 183 families of martyrs. "When our soldiers showed courage in Operation Sindoor, it was possible because the nation stood united. Shree Cement's contribution strengthens this national spirit," he noted. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
Time of India
33 minutes ago
- Time of India
In 2022, generator sets emitted over 1k tonnes of PM2.5 in Haryana: Study
Gurgaon: Diesel generator (DG) sets across Haryana pumped out over 1,121 tonnes of PM2.5 pollutants in 2022, an analysis by the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP) has found. For perspective, that's roughly one-fifteenth of the annual PM2.5 emissions from heavy commercial vehicles (HCVs), which released about 16,600 tonnes (16.6 Gg) in the same timeframe, in Haryana. PM2.5, tiny particles that can only be seen with an electron microscope, can penetrate deep into the lungs and bloodstream, driving up asthma, cardiovascular diseases and early mortalities. You Can Also Check: Gurgaon AQI | Weather in Gurgaon | Bank Holidays in Gurgaon | Public Holidays in Gurgaon | Gold Rates Today in Gurgaon | Silver Rates Today in Gurgaon "DG sets installed in Haryana emitted around 1.1 Gg of PM2.5 during 2022. Bhiwani district alone emitted around 10% of the state's emissions," said Anirban Banerjee, senior associate at the think-tank's air quality team. The study — Switch on, Smoke off: Reducing Emissions from Diesel Generator Sets -- released on Thursday used data on DG sets and combined it with emission factors from CPCB and international studies to arrive at these figures. Banerjee said on Thursday that Haryana needs a multi-pronged approach to reducing emissions from DG sets. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like American Investor Warren Buffett Recommends: 5 Books For Turning Your Life Around Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Identify and scrap old DG sets, along with replacing them with solar and CPCB IV+ DG sets can reduce emissions. Gas-based generators can help, but the state needs to increase last-mile connectivity," he said, adding that Haryana currently does not produce enough solar energy for a clean switch. What makes DG emissions particularly dangerous is their concentration in populated areas. "DG sets may look small in comparison to the trucking sector, but their emissions are highly localised and concentrated. A large truck fleet disperses its emissions over highways and regional corridors. DG sets pump toxic particles right where people live, work and breathe," said an air quality analyst associated with the study. According to the study, Bhiwani led the pollution chart, with 97 tonnes of PM2.5 annual emissions from DG sets, followed by Panipat with 66.1 tonnes, Kaithal with 65.5 tonnes and Gurgaon with 57 tonnes. Together, these districts accounted for nearly one-fourth of the state's generator-linked PM2.5 emissions. Particularly concerning are medium- to large-capacity DG sets in the 76KVA to 750KVA range, which contribute 74% of Haryana's total generator-linked PM2.5 load, the study said. These workhorses of industrial hubs, construction sites and high-rise complexes often run for hours during power cuts. In India, regulatory response to diesel generators has evolved. In 2019, the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) identified DG sets as a significant pollution source — contributing up to 18% of ambient air pollution in non-compliant cities — and pushed for dual-fuel retrofitting or emission control devices (RECDs). Haryana's pollution board followed suit in mid-2020, directing industries in Gurgaon, Faridabad, Sonipat, Panipat and Bahadurgarh to convert or retrofit DG sets over 500 kVA. But deadlines were repeatedly extended. More recently, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in Oct 2023 formalised strict year-round norms for NCR, mandating that generators be retrofitted with RECDs or run in dual-fuel mode. Before that, use of traditional diesel generators was banned in NCR only in the polluted winter months. The CSTEP report, reflecting 2022 emissions, offers a pre-regulation snapshot that underscores the scale of the problem before the latest norms took effect. On Thursday, experts warned that without strict emissions norms and reliable power supply, Haryana's dependence on DG sets could worsen pollution in rapidly growing urban centres like Gurgaon and Faridabad. "DG sets are meant for backup, but in many areas with frequent power cuts or industrial demand, they are running almost daily. The cumulative emissions are enormous, especially in urban and industrial hubs," said a senior scientist. Shubhansh Tiwari, a research associate with the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), said: "Mandatory retrofitting with emission control devices, enforcing limits on run-time and incentivising the shift to gas-based or solar backup could sharply reduce emissions." The study found that 14.7 lakh DG sets were operational across the country in 2022. These added 42 Gg of PM2.5, 23 Gg of black carbon, and 877 Gg of nitrogen oxides (NOX). Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area.
News18
44 minutes ago
- News18
5 Dead, 36 Hurt In Colombia Bomb Attack Near Air Base, Probe Underway
Last Updated: Cali Mayor Eder has announced a ban on large trucks entering the city, citing the risk of additional attacks. A vehicle bomb explosion in the Colombian city of Cali killed at least five people and injured dozens more on Thursday, according to reports from AFP. The incident occurred near a military facility and has raised concerns about escalating violence in the lead-up to the 2026 presidential elections. Cali's Mayor Alejandro Eder confirmed the toll, stating that preliminary reports indicated at least five fatalities and 36 people injured. The explosion occurred on a busy street in the northern part of the city, close to the Marco Fidel Suárez Military Aviation School. Authorities believe the blast targeted the air base directly. Police officials stated that the vehicle bomb was likely meant to hit military personnel stationed at the base. While the motive remains unclear, some officials have suggested the attack may be an attempt to destabilize ongoing peace efforts in the region. Eyewitnesses described the moment of the explosion. Héctor Fabio Bolaños, 65, told AFP, 'There was a thunderous sound of something exploding near the air base. Many houses were damaged in front of the base." Following the blast, several buildings, including a school, were evacuated as a precaution. Another witness indicated that some of those killed may have been civilians passing by at the time of the explosion. In response to the attack, Mayor Eder has announced a ban on large trucks entering the city, citing the risk of additional threats. He also offered a reward of US$10,000 for information leading to those responsible. While the investigation is ongoing, no group has claimed responsibility. However, Valle del Cauca Governor Dilian Francisca Toro condemned the bombing, calling it a 'terrorist attack." She added, 'Terrorism will not defeat us." The Colombian Air Force released an official statement, saying, 'At this time, efforts are underway to verify the damage to facilities and personnel, as well as the investigation to determine the causes and perpetrators of this terrorist act, which threatens civilians and the lives of the men and women who serve Colombians from the Air Force." Colombia has seen a rise in violence in recent months. In June, leftist guerrillas claimed responsibility for attacks around Cali that left seven people dead. On Thursday, a separate incident in Antioquia department resulted in eight deaths during clashes between guerrilla fighters and police officers. Authorities have not yet confirmed who was behind that attack. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Loading comments...
