Latest news with #EUROPEANUNION
The Sun
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
EU open to extending lobster deal in package on Trump tariffs, FT reports
THE EUROPEAN UNION is open to extending a deal allowing the duty-free import of U.S. lobsters as part of a broader package aimed at removing U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs, the Financial Times reported on Thursday, citing two officials. The EU's current regulation eliminating customs duties for fresh and frozen lobsters from the U.S. expires on July 31. The lobster deal between the U.S. and EU was struck in 2020 during Trump's first term. Bernd Lange, chair of the European parliament's trade committee, told the FT that the lobster trade was not very economically important, but led to de-escalation from Trump. '[The deal] is expiring at the end of July. I'm really in favour of extending it.' The EU faces 25% U.S. import tariffs on its steel, aluminium and cars. It also faces tariffs of 10% for almost all other goods, a levy that could rise to 20% after Trump's 90-day pause expires on July 8. The European Commission has proposed countermeasures on up to 95 billion euros ($107.60 billion) of U.S. imports if tariff negotiations with Washington fail. The Commission has repeatedly said it would prefer a negotiated solution rather than tit-for-tat tariffs.
The Journal
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Journal
EU to lift remaining economic sanctions on Syria to support war-torn country's recovery
THE EUROPEAN UNION has agreed to lift all their remaining economic sanctions on Syria in a bid to help the war-torn country recover after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad. 'Today, we took the decision to lift our economic sanctions on Syria,' the EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas posted on social media after a meeting of the bloc's foreign ministers in Brussels. 'We want to help the Syrian people rebuild a new, inclusive and peaceful Syria,' she said. The move from the EU comes after US President Donald Trump announced last week that Washington was lifting its sanctions against Syria. Syria's new rulers have been clamouring for relief from the crushing international punishment imposed after Assad's crackdown on opponents spiralled into civil war. EU diplomats said the agreement should see the lifting of sanctions cutting Syrian banks off from the global system and freezing central bank assets. But diplomats said the bloc intended to impose new individual sanctions on those responsible for stirring ethnic tensions, following deadly attacks targeting the Alawite minority. Other measures targeting the Assad regime and prohibiting the sale of weapons or equipment that could be used to repress civilians are set to remain in place. Syria's foreign minister Asaad al-Shaibani said after the EU decision that the lifting of the economic sanctions showed an 'international will' to support Damascus. Advertisement Shaibani added that 'the Syrian people today have a very important and historic opportunity to rebuild their country'. The latest move from the EU comes after it took a first step in February of suspending some sanctions on key Syrian economic sectors. Officials said those measures could be reimposed if Syria's new leaders break promises to respect the rights of minorities and move towards democracy. During his visit to Paris earlier this month, Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa said there was no justification for maintaining European sanctions imposed against the Assad government. 'These sanctions were imposed on the previous regime because of the crimes it committed, and this regime is gone,' Sharaa said in a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron. 'With the removal of the regime, these sanctions should be removed as well, and there is no justification for keeping the sanctions,' he added. Trump met Sharaa, a former militant who fought against US forces in Iraq and had a $10m US bounty on his head until December 2024, in Saudi Arabia last week – the first meeting between the leaders of the US and Syria in 25 years. Following the half hour meeting, Trump described Sharaa as 'young, attractive guy. Tough guy. Strong past. Very strong past. Fighter'. He said he thought Sharaa had a 'real shot at holding [Syria] together' and that the Syrian president had agreed to eventually join the Abraham accords, which would normalise Syrian ties with Israel. The United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco signed the US-brokered accords in 2020. © AFP 2025
Straits Times
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
World leaders set to attend Pope Leo's inaugural Mass
Pope Leo XIV conducts Mass in the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican, May 9, 2025. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. VATICAN CITY - Following is a list of the main world leaders who are expected to attend Pope Leo's inaugural Mass on Sunday, according to a Vatican statement. ALBANIA - President Bajram Bega ARMENIA - President Vahagn Khachaturyan AUSTRALIA - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese AUSTRIA - Chancellor Christian Stocker BELGIUM - King Philippe and Queen Mathilde, Prime Minister Bart De Wever BRITAIN - Prince Edward BULGARIA - Prime Minister Rossen Jeliazkov CANADA - Prime Minister Mark Carney COLOMBIA - President Gustavo Petro CROATIA - Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic ECUADOR - President Daniel Noboa EUROPEAN UNION - Commission President Ursula von der Leyen FRANCE - Prime Minister Francois Bayrou GABON - President Brice Oligui Nguema GERMANY - Chancellor Friedrich Merz GEORGIA - President Mikheil Kavelashvili HUNGARY - President Tamas Sulyok ITALY - President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni IRELAND - President Michael D. Higgins ISRAEL - President Isaac Herzog LATVIA - Prime Minister Evika Silina LEBANON - President Joseph Aoun LITHUANIA - President Gitanas Nauseda LUXEMBOURG - Prime Minister Luc Frieden MALTA - Prime Minister Robert Abela MONACO - Prince Albert and his wife Princess Charlene MOROCCO - Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch NETHERLANDS - Queen Maxima, Prime Minister Dick Schoof NIGERIA - President Bola Tinubu PARAGUAY - President Santiago Pena PERU - President Dina Boluarte POLAND - President Andrzej Duda PORTUGAL - President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa SERBIA - Prime Minister Djuro Macut SLOVENIA - Prime Minister Robert Golob SLOVAKIA - President Peter Pellegrini SPAIN - King Felipe and Queen Letizia SWITZERLAND - President Karin Keller-Sutter TOGO - President Faure Gnassingbe UKRAINE - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy UNITED STATES - Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Gulf Today
11-05-2025
- Politics
- Gulf Today
'Hugely welcome:' World reacts after India, Pakistan agree to stop firing
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday that India and Pakistan had agreed to a "full and immediate ceasefire" after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes against each other's military installations. This is what global leaders have said about the latest development between the nuclear-armed neighbours: US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" US SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO "I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site. We commend Prime Ministers Modi and Sharif on their wisdom, prudence, and statesmanship in choosing the path of peace." BANGLADESH'S INTERIM LEADER MUHAMMAD YUNUS "I most sincerely commend Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif of Pakistan for agreeing to a ceasefire with immediate effect and to engage in talks. Bangladesh will continue to support our two neighbours to resolve differences through diplomacy." EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS "The announced ceasefire between India and Pakistan is a vital step toward de-escalation. All efforts must be made to ensure it is respected. The EU remains committed to peace, stability, and counter-terrorism in the region." BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER DAVID LAMMY "Today's ceasefire between India and Pakistan is hugely welcome. I urge both parties to sustain this. De-escalation is in everybody's interest." SAUDI ARABIA FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTRY "The Foreign Ministry welcomes the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India, optimistic that it will restore security and peace in the region. The Kingdom commends both parties for prioritising wisdom and self-restraint and reaffirms its support for resolving disputes through dialogue and peaceful means." UN SECRETARY-GENERAL SPOKESPERSON STEPHANE DUJARRIC "The Secretary-General welcomes the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan as a positive step toward ending current hostilities and easing tensions. He hopes the agreement will contribute to lasting peace and foster an environment conducive to addressing broader, longstanding issues between the two countries." PRINCE RAHIM AL HUSSAINI, SPIRITUAL LEADER OF ISMAILI MUSLIMS "I am pleased to see that ceasefire has been agreed upon. I pray that both countries will work to resolve issues that date back to 1947 through dialogue and peaceful means." Meanwhile, Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar received a telephone call from Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Adel Al Jubeir, who welcomed the ceasefire understanding between Pakistan and India. Taking to his X handle, Pakistan's Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif thanked US President Trump for his leadership and proactive role for peace in the region . Reuters
NDTV
10-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
World Reacts After India, Pakistan Agree To Stop Firing
NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan have agreed to a ceasefire after a fourth day of strikes and counter-strikes. This is what global leaders have said about the latest development between the nuclear-armed neighbours: US PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP "After a long night of talks mediated by the United States, I am pleased to announce that India and Pakistan have agreed to a FULL AND IMMEDIATE CEASEFIRE. Congratulations to both countries on using common sense and great intelligence. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" US SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO "I am pleased to announce the Governments of India and Pakistan have agreed to an immediate ceasefire and to start talks on a broad set of issues at a neutral site." BANGLADESH'S INTERIM LEADER MUHAMMAD YUNUS "I most sincerely commend Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi of India and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan for agreeing to a ceasefire with immediate effect and to engage in talks. Bangladesh will continue to support our two neighbours to resolve differences through diplomacy." EUROPEAN UNION FOREIGN POLICY CHIEF KAJA KALLAS "The announced ceasefire between India and Pakistan is a vital step toward de-escalation. All efforts must be made to ensure it is respected. The EU remains committed to peace, stability, and counter-terrorism in the region." BRITISH FOREIGN MINISTER DAVID LAMMY "Today's ceasefire between India and Pakistan is hugely welcome. I urge both parties to sustain this. De-escalation is in everybody's interest." PRINCE RAHIM AL-HUSSAINI, SPIRITUAL LEADER OF ISMAILI MUSLIMS "I am pleased to see that a ceasefire has been agreed upon. I pray that both countries will work to resolve issues that date back to 1947 through dialogue and peaceful means"
