Latest news with #CSIS
CTV News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Immigration lawyers say rising number of CSIS security screenings causing delays
The new Canadian passport is unveiled at an event at the Ottawa International Airport in Ottawa on Wednesday, May 10, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick OTTAWA — The Canadian Security Intelligence Service says it's dealing with a growing number of immigration security screening requests — and immigration lawyers say their clients are coping with long delays as a result. In its new annual report, the intelligence agency says it received more than 538,000 screening requests from immigration and border officials in 2024, a significant increase over the roughly 300,000 screening requests it received annually before 2023. The report says that while there 'continues to be a high volume of applications awaiting security screening,' the intelligence agency will 'take the time required' to complete them. The increase in screening requests is being driven in part by a spike in the number of asylum seekers coming to Canada, all of whom must be screened. Immigration lawyers in B.C. and Ontario say their clients are facing extended delays due to security screening and no one is explaining why. Ali Abuhannoud, a Jordanian refugee who is applying for Canadian citizenship, says he has been waiting for his security screening result since May 2024, despite having been screened twice previously. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 6, 2025. David Baxter, The Canadian Press
India.com
16 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Trump's Tariffs On India Were Meant To hurt Russia – Here's How It Could Boomerang And Hit U.S. Economy Instead
Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump is ramping up economic pressure to force Russia into agreeing to a peace deal in Ukraine. But as his administration pushes new tariffs on nations buying oil from Moscow, analysts say this decision could swing back and hurt the U.S. economy instead. This week marks the expiration of Trump's 50-day deadline to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ultimatum is accept peace in Ukraine or face fresh tariffs, which are not directly aimed at Moscow, but at its oil customers, especially India and China. The two countries account for the majority of Russian oil exports and are also two of America's largest trading partners. They together sent $526 billion worth of goods to the United States last year, official data shows. After a high-stakes meeting between Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin in Moscow on Wednesday (August 6), the U.S. president decided to move ahead. Hours after the meeting ended, he imposed an additional 25% tariff on India. 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine,' Trump posted on Social Truth, justifying his decision. But back in Washington, concern is growing that these moves may ricochet. Speaking to CNN, Clayton Seigle, a senior fellow in energy and geopolitics at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), warned of serious domestic fallout. 'The punishment for those countries that continue to take big volumes of Russian energy… would also hurt the United States' economy in a material way,' he said, adding that 'it would lead to more inflation' and increase import costs for U.S. businesses. Commodity analysts are sounding similar alarms. They say that tariffs on Chinese goods, which are already taxed at 30%, could further drive up prices on everyday products such as smartphones. Trump had earlier announced that he would raise tariffs to 100% on countries continuing to buy oil from Moscow. India, which sources 36% of its crude oil from Russia, and China, where Russian oil now accounts for 13.5% of imports, have both strengthened energy ties with Moscow since the war with Ukraine began in 2022. As of now, the White House has not announced if similar tariffs on Chinese imports are imminent. But Staunovo doubts the administration could sustain the economic hit. 'Trump blinked first (because of) the implication it had on the imports into the United States,' he said, referring to a similar round of tariffs earlier this year that were quickly scaled back during trade negotiations with Beijing. Energy analysts believe the stakes are even higher when considering oil prices. They argue that Russia is too big to fail. It exports 7 million barrels per day of crude and refined products. These are massive amounts that cannot so easily be replaced. Russia's oil exports account for nearly 5% of global consumption. Any disruption in this supply, they say, could drive global oil prices higher and this hike would directly hit the United States, which still imports large volumes of crude oil. Brent crude prices as of early Wednesday had risen slightly to $68.2 per barrel, FactSet reported. But despite being down over 8% this year, analysts warn the market could tighten quickly if secondary sanctions disrupt the flow of Russian oil. Trump's team is watching the energy market closely. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has spoken with Witkoff, who was returning from Moscow after a three-hour meeting with Putin. '…I think there will be some announcements here fairly soon. Maybe positive, maybe not, we will see,' he told CNN. The Kremlin described the talks as 'constructive and useful', though no public readout has been shared. Back in Ukraine, the violence continues. Hours after the meeting, Russian strikes killed at least six civilians across the country. A recreation centre was bombed in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia. Two people died and 12 were wounded, including four children. President Volodymyr Zelensky called the strike 'cruelty aimed at instilling fear'. Other Russian attacks also targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure. A gas transmission station near the Romanian border was hit by drones, leaving hundreds of homes without fuel. Meanwhile, NATO countries have pledged more than $1 billion in aid, and the U.S. State Department has approved a $200 million deal to help Ukraine's allies procure military supplies on Kyiv's behalf. Back in Washington, the broader implications of Trump's trade crackdown remain uncertain. Some believe there is still room for strategic adjustment. Instead of imposing high tariffs, they suggest a more moderate approach (a tariff between 10% and 30%). Trump's approach may be aimed at punishing oil trade that allegedly funds Russia's war, but the economic pain is already surfacing closer to home. As pressure mounts on India and China, U.S. consumers and companies may soon feel the squeeze of their president's tariff war.
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Tariff trap: Trump targets India to pressure Putin - But US may pay the price
Trump's advisors insist the tariff decision is about enforcing pressure on Putin. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order slapping an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods in retaliation for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil. The move doubles existing tariffs, raising India's total levy to 50%, and marks Trump's latest pressure tactic to force Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. But while the tariffs are meant to cripple Russia's oil revenues, analysts warn the biggest blow may land closer to home - on US consumers, businesses, and inflation. 'The punishment for those countries that continue to take big volumes of Russian energy… would also hurt the United States' economy in a material way,' Clayton Seigle, senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told CNN. TL;DR: In short, Trump's tariff blitz could Complicate anti-inflation efforts in the US Undermine global oil market stability Alienate a key democratic ally in Asia Increase prices for US consumers Erode America's diplomatic leverage with both Russia and China For a strategy meant to isolate Moscow, it may instead isolate Washington - from its allies, supply chains, and the global economic consensus. Why it matters Trump's tariff strategy is not just a foreign policy maneuver - it's a high-stakes economic gamble that could hurt American wallets and businesses while destabilizing key alliances. The decision to punish India - a vital US trade partner and a strategic counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific - risks undermining years of diplomatic and economic engagement. India was the ninth-largest trading partner for the US in 2024, exporting over $86 billion worth of goods and services. Tariffs at 50% could wipe out billions in annual trade and fracture a relationship Washington has long cultivated to counterbalance China. Back home, the US economy is vulnerable. Many of the Indian exports targeted by the tariff - including textiles, auto parts, electronics components, and chemicals - are inputs for American industries or consumer staples. Raising costs on these items doesn't just squeeze margins for US businesses - it raises prices for everyday Americans, especially amid stubborn inflation and rising borrowing costs. 'The prospective tariffs would lead to more inflation in the US,' warned Seigle of CSIS. 'They would saddle American businesses with higher import costs.' And then there's the energy domino effect. India's massive purchases of Russian oil - which Trump seeks to curb - have helped keep global prices relatively stable. Forcing India to pivot away too quickly could reduce global supply, driving up oil prices at the pump. That could reverse recent gains in curbing inflation - and create a political problem for Trump ahead of the 2026 midterms. There's also risk to America's credibility. Targeting India for buying Russian oil while overlooking larger importers like China - or US allies in Europe - opens the US to charges of hypocrisy and selective enforcement. That undermines global trust in US trade policy, particularly among developing nations. It is extremely unfortunate that the US chose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal The big picture: India in Trump's crosshairs India is now the second-largest buyer of Russian oil after China. Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Western sanctions prompted Moscow to sell its crude at a discount. India jumped in, increasing Russian oil's share from under 2% to over 35% of its total imports by 2024. The US, meanwhile, continued importing Russian uranium, palladium, and other critical goods for its energy and defense sectors. 'It is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia,' the MEA said onMonday. 'It is unjustified to single out India.' India also insists that its purchases of discounted Russian oil helped keep global crude prices stable - preventing surges to $120-$130 per barrel. Trump's anger isn't just about trade or oil - it's personal. Frustrated with Putin's refusal to negotiate peace, Trump is now turning that anger toward countries still buying Russian crude. India, despite being a US strategic partner, has become an outlet for that frustration. 'If Putin were not ignoring Trump's calls… Trump likely wouldn't be going after India so hard,' tweeted Michael Kugelman of the Wilson Center. But there's a strategic angle too. Trump wants India to buy more - and pricier - American oil instead. In 2021, before the Ukraine war, India was the top destination for US crude exports. Now, Trump seems determined to reverse India's pivot to Russian energy and bring it back into America's economic fold - with tariffs as leverage. Backlash at home For Trump, the backlash may also come from within. If tariffs drive up prices in the run-up to an election year, consumer sentiment could sour quickly. 'The US consumer would get upset with that,' UBS analyst Giovanni Staunovo said plainly. Meanwhile, American companies are already warning of lost competitiveness. EEPC India, representing engineering exporters, estimates that US-bound Indian exports could drop by $4–5 billion. That supply gap won't vanish-it'll be filled by cheaper competitors like Vietnam, Bangladesh, or China. Even US military contractors are watching nervously. Beijing, in a parallel pressure campaign, has throttled critical minerals needed for defense systems. 'More than 80,000 parts used in Defense Department weapons systems rely on Chinese-controlled minerals,' reported the Wall Street Journal. The US can't afford to be squeezed from both sides-yet that's exactly what this dual-front strategy risks. 'Russia is too big to fail' At the core of Trump's strategy is the belief that choking off Russian oil exports-especially via pressure on third-party buyers-will starve Putin's war chest. The logic sounds clean. The reality is messy. 'Russia is too big to fail,' Giovanni Staunovo, commodity analyst at UBS, told CNN. 'Russia exports 7 million barrels per day of crude and refined products. These are massive amounts that you cannot so easily replace.' According to Vortexa, Russia now provides 13.5% of China's crude imports and 36% of India's. And while China might be too powerful to punish outright-given its control over critical minerals and defense supply chains-India, it seems, is the more convenient target. But squeezing Russian oil off the market means driving up global prices. That affects the US, which still imports significant volumes of crude. 'Despite being a massive oil producer, the US is not immune to global price shocks,' said Kieran Tompkins of Capital Economics. If Brent crude spikes, American gas prices will follow. Geopolitics in a pressure cooker This isn't just an economic story-it's a geopolitical flashpoint. Trade talks with India have stalled. The Biden-era goodwill, carefully rebuilt, is evaporating. The Modi government, previously aligned with Trump, now finds itself economically threatened. Meanwhile, the US also faces a precarious balancing act with China. Even as Trump pressures Beijing with tariff threats and warnings of secondary sanctions, his administration continues trade truce talks. Treasury secretary Scott Bessent reportedly told Chinese officials last week that the US was serious about enforcing sanctions. But few believe Trump can afford a full-scale economic war with both China and India simultaneously. Even within Washington, there's skepticism. 'Draconian levels… will just be perceived as a bluff-because they'll hurt (the US), just like they'll hurt the other guys,' Seigle told CNN, arguing that more moderate tariffs between 10% and 30% 'would carry more weight' diplomatically. India's economy may take a hit For India, the stakes are equally high. The 50% tariff puts it at a competitive disadvantage compared to Vietnam, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, who face US tariffs of 15%-30%. Indian exports - particularly in textiles, leather, chemicals, and seafood - risk being priced out of the American market. 'Post this order, bilateral tariffs will rise to 50%, which would be the highest applied from August onwards,' said Gaura Sen Gupta, economist at IDFC First Bank. 'This definitely increases the downside risk to 2025-26 GDP estimates.' 'If the tariffs persist till March 2026, the total downside risk is estimated at 0.3% to 0.4%,' she added. Sakshi Gupta at HDFC Bank warned that without a breakthrough in negotiations, India may have to lower its FY26 growth forecast below 6%, citing a potential 40-50 basis point hit to GDP. What's next: * A US delegation is expected in Delhi later this month for fresh talks. * India may offer to gradually reduce Russian oil imports if the US offers price parity and energy security. * The Indian government is reportedly considering relaxing dairy access and boosting US defense imports to revive talks. Meanwhile, India is bracing for impact. The commerce ministry is exploring ways to support affected exporters - from easing loan norms to cutting compliance costs. But subsidies are off the table. The real test may come in US domestic politics. If consumer prices climb and business leaders balk, Trump may be forced to recalibrate - again. Mark Linscott, former US trade representative, said that without a direct Modi-Trump channel, 'we are in a lose-lose.' But he still believes 'there is real potential for a win-win trade deal.' Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays .
Fox News
2 days ago
- Business
- Fox News
Netherlands becomes first NATO ally to buy US weapons for Ukraine
The Netherlands will become the first European state to provide cash to purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine, under a plan agreed to by President Donald Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced Monday his nation will contribute €500 million ($576 million) to a fund called the NATO Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. Brekelmans said the funding would go toward Patriot systems and missiles, a mobile surface-to-air interceptor. Developed in the 1980s and still considered one of the U.S.'s most advanced air defense systems, the Patriot can thwart attacks from aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. A new Patriot system and the missiles to go along with it could cost around $1.1 billion, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The newest version of the missile costs around $4 million a piece. Last month during a White House meeting with Rutte, Trump promised Europe would spend "billions" on U.S. weapons to arm Ukraine. "Billions of dollars' worth of military equipment is going to be purchased from the United States, going to NATO… And that's going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield," Trump said. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Netherlands for the funding on X. "Ukraine, and thus the whole of Europe, will be better protected from Russian terror," he wrote. "I am sincerely grateful to the Netherlands for their substantial contribution to strengthening Ukraine's air shield," he added. Rutte also thanked the Netherlands and encouraged other European NATO allies to follow suit. "This is about getting Ukraine the equipment it urgently needs now to defend itself against Russian aggression," he said in a statement. "I have written to all NATO Allies, urging them to contribute towards this burden-sharing initiative, and I expect further significant announcements from other Allies soon." The Netherlands has emerged as one of Ukraine's top defense donors, committing close to €3 billion in military aid since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. Dutch support has included tanks, F-16 training, and now, contributions toward strategic air defense platforms like the Patriot. The new Trump-NATO agreement came after Republicans expressed frustration with the nearly $128 billion in aid the U.S. has offered to Ukraine, arguing Europe should take up the burden. At the same time, Trump has increasingly grown impatient with Russian President Vladimir Putin during peace negotiations. White House envoy Steve Witkoff is set to head to Moscow this week before the deadline Trump gave Putin for ending the war. The president has threatened to slap steep tariffs on Russia and any nations that do business with it if this week's negotiations fail to produce a deal.
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Business Standard
2 days ago
- Politics
- Business Standard
New 'Khalistan embassy' in Canada threatens India-Canada ties again
Just as India and Canada were making cautious moves to improve strained ties, visuals of an 'Embassy of the Republic of Khalistan' on Canadian soil have risked derailing hard-earned diplomatic progress. Radical Sikh groups in British Columbia have established what they describe as the 'Embassy of the Republic of Khalistan'. Photographs accessed by India Today show that the self-proclaimed embassy is located inside a section of the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara in Surrey. The same gurdwara was once led by Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a pro-Khalistan figure whom Indian authorities had labelled a terrorist. Nijjar was shot dead in 2023 in the gurdwara's car park, setting off a chain of events that pushed India-Canada relations into a deep freeze. The announcement of the so-called 'embassy' coincides with preparations for a 'Khalistan referendum' organised by Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), a group banned in India. According to reports, Indian security agencies are keeping a close watch. Diplomatic thaw under threat The development comes at a time when ties between the two countries had shown tentative signs of a thaw. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Canada's newly-elected Prime Minister Mark Carney met face-to-face during the G7 summit earlier this year — their first such meeting since tensions escalated. Both sides had indicated a willingness to move beyond the fallout from Nijjar's killing and the allegations made by former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who had accused the Indian government of involvement in the murder — a charge New Delhi has firmly denied. Canadian intelligence backs India's security concerns India has long raised concerns about Khalistani groups using Canadian soil as a safe haven for promoting separatist ideology, fundraising, and plotting acts of violence. It has consistently criticised Canadian authorities for alleged inaction. In a notable shift, Canadian authorities have acknowledged these concerns. In June 2025, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) officially recognised the threat posed by Khalistani extremists operating within Canada. Its annual report stated: 'Khalistani extremists continue to use Canada as a base for the promotion, fundraising or planning of violence primarily in India.' While no attacks linked to Canada-based Khalistani extremists (CBKEs) occurred in 2024, CSIS warned that such actors remain active in global financing and operational planning. This marked the first time the Canadian government has officially used the term 'extremism' in the context of the Khalistan movement. CSIS described Canada-based Khalistani extremists as a core element of the country's politically motivated violent extremism (PMVE) threat. According to the agency, PMVE groups aim to use violence to create new political systems or structures, often through cross-border efforts. Khalistani actors, the agency warned, continue to engage in 'planning, financing and facilitating attacks globally' in pursuit of a separate Khalistan state, primarily carved out of India's Punjab region.
