Latest news with #Groupof20Summit
The Star
01-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
South Africa continues tariff negotiation with U.S.
JOHANNESBURG, Aug. 1 (Xinhua) -- With a 30-percent tariff imposed by the United States set to take effect, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Friday pledged to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard the national interests. According to a statement released by the presidency, South Africa will continue to negotiate with the United States regarding the 30 percent tariff, which is now expected to take effect at 12:01 a.m. EDT (0401 GMT) on Aug. 7. The South African government has presented the U.S. side with a framework deal aimed at enhancing mutually beneficial trade and investment relations. "All channels of communication remain open to engage with the United States, and our negotiators are ready, pending an invitation from the United States," the presidency said in the statement. The presidency noted that the South African government is finalizing a package to support companies vulnerable to reciprocal tariffs, which includes several measures to assist firms, producers, and workers. "South Africa will continue to pursue all diplomatic efforts to safeguard its national interests," said the presidency. On Tuesday, the South African government acknowledged that "the intersection of geopolitical, domestic and trade issues" defines the current impasse between the two sides. Relations between South Africa and the United States have taken a downturn since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January. Trump indicated that he may skip the Group of 20 Summit, which will be held in November in Johannesburg, the largest city and economic hub of South Africa.
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Business Standard
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
BJP set to reach century mark in Rajya Sabha with latest nominations
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), currently with 99 members in the Rajya Sabha, could soon hit the century mark in the Upper House. Late on Saturday evening, the government nominated four individuals, including two who had previously contested elections on BJP tickets, to the Rajya Sabha. The party will breach the 100 mark if any of the four join its ranks within six months of taking their oaths as nominated members. Currently, two of the nominated members, Gulam Ali and Satnam Singh Sandhu, are among the BJP's 99 members in the Rajya Sabha. The President nominates 12 individuals to the Rajya Sabha, who are distinguished figures in various fields. With a week to go before the start of the Monsoon Session, which begins on 21 July, the government filled the four vacant seats in the nominated category. Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case Ujjwal Nikam, BJP leader from politically volatile Kannur in Kerala, C. Sadanandan Master, and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain were nominated to the Rajya Sabha, the Union Home Ministry notified later on Saturday night, filling the four vacancies. The BJP had fielded Nikam as its candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mumbai North Central seat, which he lost to Congress's Varsha Gaikwad. Sadanandan Master, a former teacher, was a BJP candidate from the Kuthuparamba seat in Kannur district in the 2016 and 2021 Kerala Assembly elections. Kannur is known for the political violence between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the BJP-Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). In 1994, his two legs were severed during an alleged attack by workers allegedly loyal to his political rivals after he switched his political allegiance. The Kerala Assembly elections are due by April-May next year, and the BJP hopes to become the lead opposition party. In a post on X on Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Sadanandan Master's life as an epitome of courage and resilience. 'Violence and intimidation couldn't deter his spirit towards national development,' Modi said. Of Nikam, the PM said, 'He has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases.' The PM also acknowledged Shringla's contribution in India hosting the Group of 20 Summit. A 1984-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Shringla served as Chief Coordinator for India's G20 Presidency in 2023. Shringla had served as India's Ambassador to the United States and Thailand and as High Commissioner to Bangladesh. In the lead-up to the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP leadership had considered fielding Shringla from the Darjeeling Lok Sabha seat. However, the ticket was eventually given to businessman and sitting MP Raju Bista. Currently, in a house of 245, with five vacancies—four from Jammu and Kashmir and one from Punjab—the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance has 121 seats and could also rely on at least one of the three Independents, and most of the nominated members, for support.
Calgary Herald
16-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Trump says deal with Canada is achievable but 'we have different concepts' on trade
Article content BANFF, ALTA. — U.S. President Donald Trump, following his meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, said that he feels a trade deal with Canada could be achievable shortly, while adding that he strongly objects to the ejection of Russia from what was then the G8 and supports the addition of China to the summit. Article content 'I think we have different concepts,' said Trump on trade with Canada. 'I have a tariff concept. Mark (Carney) has a different concept, which is something that some people like. But we're going to see if we can get to the bottom of it today.' Article content Article content The heads of the world's seven most powerful economies are meeting amid a U.S.-led tariff war and global uncertainty over conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. In remarks made before the media on Monday morning, Carney wished Trump a belated happy birthday, which was Saturday. Trump also told reporters that he believes China, the world's second largest economy, should join the leaders of the seven most advanced economies in the world. Article content Article content 'Well, it's not a bad idea. I don't mind that,' said Trump. 'If somebody wants to suggest China coming in, I think we — but you want to have people that you can talk to.' Article content Trump also criticized the decision to eject Russia from the G8 in 2014, following that country's annexation of Crimea, and said that Vladimir Putin 'was very insulted' by the decision. Article content 'The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn't want to have Russia in, and I would say that that was a mistake, because I think you wouldn't have a war right now if you had Russia in, and you wouldn't have a war right now if Trump were president four years ago,' Trump said. 'It was a mistake in that you spend so much time talking about Russia, and he's no longer at the table, so it makes life more complicated, but you wouldn't have had the war.' Article content Article content In fact, Russia's membership in the G8 was suspended in March 2014. While Obama was the American president at the time, Conservative Stephen Harper was Canada's prime minister. Months later, Harper made international headlines at the Group of 20 Summit in Australia when he admonished Putin, then Russia's president, to 'get out of Ukraine.' However, while saying booting Russia from the G8 was a mistake, Trump stopped short of saying that Putin should be invited back. Article content Article content 'I'm not saying he should at this point, because too much water has gone over the dam, maybe. But it was a big mistake,' he said. Article content Monday morning's meeting is the first since the two men met in Washington, D.C. in early May. Canada has been a major target of Trump's trade and rhetorical belligerence. Although Trump has largely scaled back talk of annexing Canada, making its northern neighbour the 51st state, trade troubles remain top of mind for observers and Canadian diplomats. Canada will be pushing Trump this week on lowering the 50-per-cent tariffs placed on Canadian steel and aluminum and further tariffs on foreign vehicle imports.
Ottawa Citizen
16-06-2025
- Business
- Ottawa Citizen
Trump says deal with Canada is achievable but 'we have different concepts' on trade
Article content BANFF, ALTA. — U.S. President Donald Trump, following his meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, said that he feels a trade deal with Canada could be achievable shortly, while adding that he strongly objects to the ejection of Russia from what was then the G8 and supports the addition of China to the summit. Article content 'I think we have different concepts,' said Trump on trade with Canada. 'I have a tariff concept. Mark (Carney) has a different concept, which is something that some people like. But we're going to see if we can get to the bottom of it today.' Article content Article content Article content The heads of the world's seven most powerful economies are meeting amid a U.S.-led tariff war and global uncertainty over conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. In remarks made before the media on Monday morning, Carney wished Trump a belated happy birthday, which was Saturday. Trump also told reporters that he believes China, the world's second largest economy, should join the leaders of the seven most advanced economies in the world. Article content Article content 'Well, it's not a bad idea. I don't mind that,' said Trump. 'If somebody wants to suggest China coming in, I think we — but you want to have people that you can talk to.' Article content Trump also criticized the decision to eject Russia from the G8 in 2014, following that country's annexation of Crimea, and said that Vladimir Putin 'was very insulted' by the decision. Article content 'The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn't want to have Russia in, and I would say that that was a mistake, because I think you wouldn't have a war right now if you had Russia in, and you wouldn't have a war right now if Trump were president four years ago,' Trump said. 'It was a mistake in that you spend so much time talking about Russia, and he's no longer at the table, so it makes life more complicated, but you wouldn't have had the war.' Article content Article content In fact, Russia's membership in the G8 was suspended in March 2014. While Obama was the American president at the time, Conservative Stephen Harper was Canada's prime minister. Months later, Harper made international headlines at the Group of 20 Summit in Australia when he admonished Putin, then Russia's president, to 'get out of Ukraine.' However, while saying booting Russia from the G8 was a mistake, Trump stopped short of saying that Putin should be invited back. Article content Article content 'I'm not saying he should at this point, because too much water has gone over the dam, maybe. But it was a big mistake,' he said. Article content Monday morning's meeting is the first since the two men met in Washington, D.C. in early May. Canada has been a major target of Trump's trade and rhetorical belligerence. Although Trump has largely scaled back talk of annexing Canada, making its northern neighbour the 51st state, trade troubles remain top of mind for observers and Canadian diplomats. Canada will be pushing Trump this week on lowering the 50-per-cent tariffs placed on Canadian steel and aluminum and further tariffs on foreign vehicle imports.
Vancouver Sun
16-06-2025
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Trump says deal with Canada is achievable but 'we have different concepts' on trade
BANFF, ALTA. — U.S. President Donald Trump, following his meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney, said that he feels a trade deal with Canada could be achievable shortly, while adding that he strongly objects to the ejection of Russia from what was then the G8 and supports the addition of China to the summit. 'I think we have different concepts,' said Trump on trade with Canada. 'I have a tariff concept. Mark (Carney) has a different concept, which is something that some people like. But we're going to see if we can get to the bottom of it today.' The heads of the world's seven most powerful economies are meeting amid a U.S.-led tariff war and global uncertainty over conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. In remarks made before the media on Monday morning, Carney wished Trump a belated happy birthday, which was Saturday. Trump also told reporters that he believes China, the world's second largest economy, should join the leaders of the seven most advanced economies in the world. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Well, it's not a bad idea. I don't mind that,' said Trump. 'If somebody wants to suggest China coming in, I think we — but you want to have people that you can talk to.' Trump also criticized the decision to eject Russia from the G8 in 2014, following that country's annexation of Crimea, and said that Vladimir Putin 'was very insulted' by the decision. 'The G7 used to be the G8. Barack Obama and a person named Trudeau didn't want to have Russia in, and I would say that that was a mistake, because I think you wouldn't have a war right now if you had Russia in, and you wouldn't have a war right now if Trump were president four years ago,' Trump said. 'It was a mistake in that you spend so much time talking about Russia, and he's no longer at the table, so it makes life more complicated, but you wouldn't have had the war.' In fact, Russia's membership in the G8 was suspended in March 2014. While Obama was the American president at the time, Conservative Stephen Harper was Canada's prime minister. Months later, Harper made international headlines at the Group of 20 Summit in Australia when he admonished Putin, then Russia's president, to 'get out of Ukraine.' However, while saying booting Russia from the G8 was a mistake, Trump stopped short of saying that Putin should be invited back. 'I'm not saying he should at this point, because too much water has gone over the dam, maybe. But it was a big mistake,' he said. Monday morning's meeting is the first since the two men met in Washington, D.C. in early May. Canada has been a major target of Trump's trade and rhetorical belligerence. Although Trump has largely scaled back talk of annexing Canada, making its northern neighbour the 51st state, trade troubles remain top of mind for observers and Canadian diplomats. Canada will be pushing Trump this week on lowering the 50-per-cent tariffs placed on Canadian steel and aluminum and further tariffs on foreign vehicle imports. Before flying to Canada on Sunday, Trump said, without providing any details, that he thinks ' we'll have a few new trade deals ' to announce while at the G7. 'Our primary focus would be trade and trade with Canada, and I'm sure we can work something out,' Trump told reporters. Trump then took multiple other questions, about the Iran-Israel conflict and about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in American cities that have seen major street protests mobilized in response. Eventually, Carney stepped in, ending the questions, saying that the leaders had to get to other meetings. The Trump factor generally is looming over the G7 meeting. In 2018 in Charlevoix, Que,. the defining image of the G7 summit that year was Trump sitting down, arms crossed, a look of curious disdain on his face, while Angela Merkel, then the German chancellor, leaned over a table towards him. That year, Trump refused to sign on to a joint declaration with the other countries and criticized then prime minister Justin Trudeau as 'dishonest and weak' over his criticism of tariffs. For 2025, Canada ditched the plan to issue a joint communiqué at the end of the summit, avoiding an overt show of disunity. With additional reporting from Christopher Nardi Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here . Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
