
Gold Retreats from 4-Week High as Dollar Gains Slightly - Jordan News
Gold Retreats from 4-Week High as Dollar Gains Slightly Gold prices declined on Tuesday, pulling back from their highest level in nearly four weeks, as a slight recovery in the U.S. dollar weighed on the yellow metal. However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding U.S.–China trade talks kept investor caution intact and limited the downside. اضافة اعلان Spot gold fell 0.5% to $3,362.57 per ounce as of 04:29 GMT, after earlier hitting its highest since May 8. U.S. gold futures dipped 0.3% to $3,386.60. Gold had previously jumped about 2.7% in the prior session, marking its strongest daily gain in over three weeks. 'The dollar recovered slightly, and gold fell—so they are moving inversely at this point,' said Brian Lan, Managing Director at GoldSilver Central in Singapore. Despite the dip, gold continues to track global trade developments closely. While there was a minor pullback in investor positions, it wasn't as steep as during previous moments of apparent de-escalation in trade tensions, Lan added. The U.S. Dollar Index also recovered slightly from a six-week low, maintaining its influence on gold pricing. Trade Tensions in Focus: A call between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping is expected this week, according to the White House. The U.S. plans to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50% on Wednesday, coinciding with the deadline set by the Trump administration for countries to improve their trade offers. The European Commission announced it will present strong arguments this week for the U.S. to reduce or eliminate these tariffs, despite Washington's intention to increase them. Other Precious Metals: Silver: down 1.9% to $34.12/oz Platinum: up 0.1% to $1,064.66/oz Palladium: down 0.1% to $986.10/oz
Volatility remains elevated across precious metals markets amid currency shifts and geopolitical developments.
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Jordan News
16 hours ago
- Jordan News
Farewell to the Chinese Ambassador and Prospects for Jordanian-Chinese Partnership - Jordan News
Before Ambassador Chen Chuandong finished his speech in the celebration hall in central Amman, his tears preceded his words, transforming the farewell stage into a humane space pulsating with intimacy. The man spent four and a half years in the Kingdom, during which he led a path of cooperation that took the form of a growing strategic partnership, and the Chinese and Arab civilizations embodied a model of understanding based on mutual respect and mutual benefit. The following article traces the most important milestones of this period, examining the significance of the farewell moment and the prospects it opens for the next decade. اضافة اعلان First: The Farewell Scene... When Emotion Speaks in Diplomatic Tones At the end of the ceremony, the ambassador's voice trembled as he recalled the names of the Jordanian places that had sheltered him, from the alleys of Jabal Luweibdeh to the balconies of Jerash, suspended in the memory of history. The scene seemed exceptional in a world where emotions are usually controlled by the rhythm of protocol. However, the man chose to express his gratitude with Eastern frankness, not devoid of the warmth of Beijing. Those tears, as one of the attendees commented, "were not shed on the airport asphalt, but on the soil of a second homeland that its owner loved until the last day of his mission." This emotional dimension does not detract from the professional nature of the outcome; it merely confirms that relations between peoples, when formulated sincerely, transcend the language of technical interests to touch the hearts of individuals. Second: Ten Years of Strategic Partnership... A Busy Achievements Calendar A full decade ago, in 2015, Amman and Beijing announced the elevation of their relations to a strategic partnership. Since then, and particularly during Ambassador Chen's tenure, three key themes have been crystallized: Economy and Trade: The volume of trade increased from $360 million in 2020 to $537 million in 2024, with an annual growth rate of nearly 21%. These figures may seem modest compared to larger markets, but they reflect a new structure in the trade basket, with fertilizers, solar panels, and textiles emerging as key components. Most importantly, Chinese companies now own the largest stake in the Arab Potash Company, increasing fertilizer production and contributing to Chinese food security, while providing revenues and job opportunities to the Jordanian treasury. Energy and Green Transformation: Chinese institutions have invested in wind farms in the Tafilah region and photovoltaic projects in several areas, helping Jordan double the contribution of renewable energy to its electricity mix. This cooperation aligns with the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to reduce emissions and ensure security of supply. Belt and Road Initiative: Signing a Memorandum of Understanding and opening the door to the establishment of logistics corridors linking Aqaba to Chinese Red Sea ports, in addition to projects to digitize ports and railways. This is how the Chinese philosophy is translated: seamless trade intersects with Jordan's ambition to become a regional hub linking Asia, Europe, and Africa. Third: Culture and Education... The Bridge That Politics Cannot Destroy The strength of relations between countries is not measured by trade balance indicators alone, but rather by the depth of cultural exchange and human interaction they reflect. The Jerash Festival has become a model for this cultural convergence, hosting Chinese troupes for successive years, presenting performances of traditional music and contemporary dance. The closing evenings of these troupes have become among the most anticipated events in the historic amphitheaters. On the other hand, the "Tea for Harmony" event has transformed from a simple initiative to bring Jordanian and Chinese cultures together in a garden at the University of Jordan, into a well-established annual event that attracts hundreds of families. Visitors learn about Chinese tea-making rituals and their ancient history, while Jordanian participants enjoy maqluba and mansaf dishes, a scene that embodies the true meaning of cultural exchange and the rich diversity between peoples. Language education: Approximately 600 Jordanian students are learning Chinese at Confucius Institutes, while 500 Chinese students are immersed in the beauty of the Arabic language at Jordanian universities. These generations are the true fuel for the sustainability of the relationship. Training programs: Last year alone, 600 Jordanians took short courses in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Suzhou, covering artificial intelligence, urban policy, and heritage management. They return with new ideas and personal friendships. Fourth: Political Harmony and Common Positions At the diplomatic level, observers can almost detect a remarkable harmony between Amman and Beijing on key issues. The Palestinian issue—which tops Jordan's foreign policy agenda—enjoys unwavering Chinese support for a two-state solution. The two countries translated this discourse by sending humanitarian aid to Gaza in late 2023, carried out by a joint airlift. Jordan, for its part, affirms at every forum its commitment to the "One China" principle as a pillar of international stability. Fifth: The Compass of Domestic Development... What Does Jordan Mean to Beijing? Chinese experts describe Jordan as a "laboratory of stability" in a turbulent region. The Kingdom, under the leadership of His Majesty King Abdullah II, has weathered the storms of the "Arab Spring" without institutional collapse and has gradually modernized its political system. From Beijing's perspective, this promising climate of sustainability is an ideal environment for long-term investments, free from the sovereign risks threatening mega-projects in some neighboring countries. The Chinese side also benefits from Jordan's geopolitical location; the Kingdom is a transit gateway to the markets of Iraq and Syria, and linking the port of Aqaba to the Belt and Road Initiative will provide China with an alternative artery to the Suez Canal in emergencies. Sixth: Challenges and Opportunities in the Next Five Years Diversifying Partnerships: Despite China's momentum, Jordan is keen not to limit its economic options to a single entity. The balance between East and West will remain the motto of the next phase, requiring Beijing to offer more competitive offers while respecting the unique characteristics of the Jordanian market. Deepening Local Manufacturing: The current model focuses on importing Chinese components and assembling them in Jordan. Jordanian decision-makers aspire to transfer deeper technologies, enabling the establishment of real industries that attract Jordanian engineers. Soft diplomacy and deepening success narratives: Jordanian citizens see the Chinese presence as an added value to their daily lives, not just numbers in the news. Here, cultural grant programs and popular media play a pivotal role. Seventh: Chen's Tears... A Farewell Message or a Promise of a Reunion? When the ambassador was asked after his speech about the reason for his tears, he responded with a brief statement: "I loved Jordan more than I expected." Between the lines lies the understanding that international relations are not built solely on agreements signed behind closed doors; rather, they are built on simple human rhythms: a friend who becomes familiar with a street, masters a new language, says "good morning" in the Ammani dialect, and the neighbors respond with "你好" at the door. This intimacy may seem like a marginal detail on the Foreign Ministry's agenda, but it is a spirit capable of moving the wheels of the economy, culture, and politics in directions that are difficult to measure with numbers. And then: Where do Where do we go from here? As Jordan and China mark the tenth anniversary of their strategic partnership, they close a chapter enriched by Ambassador Chen Chuandong's efforts and open a new one poised to tackle shared challenges—post-pandemic recovery, energy security, and climate change. This is a moment for both nations to co-create a development model that fuses innovation with cultural diversity and adapts technology to Jordan's unique context, all while benefiting from China's openness and experience. Though Ambassador Chen is preparing to leave Amman, the legacy he leaves behind—from solar panels glinting in the desert sun to the harmonies of "Zhong Rui" echoing through the Jerash Amphitheater—will endure. It serves as lasting proof that when diplomacy is guided by empathy and vision, it writes more than agreements; it writes relationships. In a world where headlines fade fast, perhaps the most enduring mark of an ambassador is this simple line etched into the history of two nations: 'A friendship was born here.'


Jordan News
a day ago
- Jordan News
Trump: Xi Jinping Is a Tough Negotiator - Jordan News
Former U.S. President Donald Trump described Chinese President Xi Jinping as 'a very tough person to negotiate with,' in a new statement posted on Truth Social, amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing despite a recently agreed tariff truce. اضافة اعلان 'I like President Xi—I always have, and I still do—but he is very tough, and it's very hard to make any deal with him!!!' Trump wrote. His remarks come after trade talks meant to usher in a new phase of cooperation between the two global powers stalled, despite a 90-day truce deal signed in Geneva last month to temporarily freeze mutual tariffs. Mutual Accusations Amid Stalled Talks Trump accused China of violating the agreement, while Beijing denied the claims, instead accusing the United States of undermining mutual understandings through recent actions, particularly in technology and education sectors. Delayed Phone Call Between Leaders Although a phone call between Trump and Xi was expected to revive momentum, it has not yet taken place. Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the call would "likely happen this week," while Treasury Secretary Scott Peasent expressed hope that key issues could be resolved during a near-future conversation. However, China's Foreign Ministry responded that it had 'no information' regarding any such call. Escalating Sanctions and Restrictions On the ground, tensions have continued to rise: The U.S. doubled tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50%. Restrictions were imposed on companies using AI chips from Chinese tech giant Huawei. Visa limitations were introduced targeting Chinese students with ties to the Communist Party or sensitive scientific fields. In response, China maintained export controls on rare earth minerals—crucial to electronics, electric vehicles, and defense industries—a move the Trump administration views as retaliatory. Diplomatic Engagement in Beijing Amid these tensions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with new U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue in Beijing, urging Washington to 'return relations to the right track.' Responding to Trump's comments, China's Foreign Ministry reiterated that its stance on relations with the U.S. remains consistent and clear.


Jordan News
a day ago
- Jordan News
Stability in Global Oil Prices - Jordan News
Oil prices remained steady on Wednesday as concerns over a potential increase in output by the OPEC+ group were balanced by a decline in Canadian supply due to wildfires, amid ongoing global trade tensions. اضافة اعلان Brent crude futures fell by 18 cents, or about 0.3%, to $65.45 per barrel by 09:05 GMT, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude dropped 19 cents to $63.22 per barrel. Janiv Shah, Vice President of Oil Market Analysis at Rystad Energy, noted that the market decline was driven by the anticipated easing of 411,000 barrels per day in OPEC+ cuts starting in July, despite some relative support from the halt of 344,000 barrels per day in Canadian production due to the wildfires. Both crude benchmarks had climbed about 2% on Tuesday, reaching their highest levels in two weeks, amid concerns about supply disruptions and expectations that Iran would reject a U.S. nuclear deal proposal, potentially delaying the lifting of sanctions on one of the key producers. Amarpreet Singh, an analyst at Barclays Bank, said, 'Geopolitical tensions continue to simmer in the background, pushing underlying risks to the upside, with Russian and Iranian oil exports remaining elevated.' In related news, U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to speak this week, just days after Trump accused China of violating agreements to reduce tariffs and trade barriers. Additionally, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) lowered its global growth forecast on Tuesday due to the growing impact of Trump's trade war on the U.S. economy. – Reuters