Latest news with #QNAWashington
Qatar Tribune
15 hours ago
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
South Korea focuses on maximising ‘practical interests' in trade talks with US: Trade minister
QNA Washington South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-Koo has stressed that Seoul's focus on maximizing 'practical interests' in ongoing trade talks with the United States, as he arrived in Washington with just days left before US President Donald Trump's pause on steep tariffs expires. Speaking to the press, Yeo noted that 'all possibilities' appear to remain open, saying that the pause on reciprocal tariffs could be extended beyond Tuesday, and that the two countries could also reach a broad agreement in principle rather than a full-fledged trade deal, Yonhap News Agencyreported. Yeo's arrival came a little over a week after his last trip to the US capital, underscoring the new South Korean government's commitment to striking a trade deal with the Trump administration. He was set to resume talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer on the day. 'Through today's negotiations, we want to figure out more details about the US' plan and will engage in negotiations with a focus on finding ways for us to maximize practical interests,' Yeo said. On April 2, Trump announced reciprocal tariffs, including 25 percent duties on South Korea, in a move to match what other countries impose on American goods. The tariffs took effect on April 9, but he paused them for 90 days on the day to allow time for negotiations. Aside from reciprocal tariffs, South Korea is also seeking to minimize the impact of sector-specific tariffs on automobiles, steel and aluminum. 'We think that a relatively more difficult area is the sectoral tariff issue given that the US regards it as important from the standpoint of its industrial protection,' the minister said. 'But we have repeatedly emphasized that it is crucial (for South Korea) to get exceptions or ensure that the rates are significantly reduced, and we plan to reiterate that again today.' Despite uncertainty over the trade negotiations, Yeo painted a positive outlook for the future of bilateral industrial cooperation. 'Areas, where chances of mutual cooperation are high, are the artificial intelligence, automobiles, batteries, energy and the bio sector. They are areas where the US needs great cooperation in its efforts to rebuild its manufacturing, and I think South Korea has a unique value in those areas,' he said. 'We seek 'positive-sum' negotiations by putting together issues of industrial and technological cooperation between South Korea and the US for the mid- and long-term period of four to five years alongside tariff talks.' Yeo's visit to Washington came as South Korea's National Security Adviser Wi Sung-Lac is set to arrive in the US capital on Sunday for a three-day trip in what appears to be a move by President Lee Jae Myung's administration to ensure smooth cooperation between the two allies. On Friday, Trump said he will send letters to 12 countries, which specify their tariff rates, on Monday.
Qatar Tribune
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Khulaifi, US senators discuss regional developments
QNA Washington Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs HE Dr Mohammed bin Abdulaziz bin Saleh Al Khulaifi met with Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Jim Risch, along with a number Senators, in Washington. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the close strategic relations between Qatar and the US, ways to support and strengthen them, and the joint efforts that resulted in reaching a ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. The latest developments in the Gaza Strip, the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Syria were also discussed. The Minister of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs met with Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs of the United States of America Allison Hooker on the sidelines of the signing ceremony of the peace agreement between the Republic of Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). During the meeting, they reviewed the close strategic relations between Qatar and the US, ways to support and strengthen them, and the joint efforts that resulted in the peace agreement between Rwanda and the DRC, and the ceasefire agreement between Iran and Israel. The two sides also discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip, the occupied Palestinian territories, Lebanon, and Syria, in addition to a host of topics of mutual interest. During the meeting, the US Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs expressed her country's appreciation for the role played by Qatar in mediation and conflict resolution, and its continuous efforts to support regional and international stability through peaceful and diplomatic means.
Qatar Tribune
28-06-2025
- General
- Qatar Tribune
World Bank warns of worsening conditions in 39 fragile states
QNA Washington The World Bank (WB) warned of worsening conditions in the world's most conflict-affected and fragile countries, where crises are becoming increasingly deadly and frequent. In a comprehensive study of 39 countries classified as fragile and conflict-affected since the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Bank found that economic stagnation has become the norm in theseregions. Since 2020, the 39 countries, stretching from Marshall Islands in the Pacific to Mozambique in sub-Saharan Africa, experienced an average annual decline of 1.8 percent in per capita economic output. In contrast, other developing economies grew at an average rate of 2.9 percent annually over the same period. The study highlighted that more than 420 million people in these fragile economies live on less than $3 a day, well below the poverty line. This figure represents the largest concentration of extreme poverty globally, despite the fact that these 39 countries account for less than 15 percent of the world's population. The report also noted that many of these nations face long-standing challenges, including crumbling infrastructure, weak governance, and poor education systems. On average, individuals in these countries receive only six years of schooling - three years less than the average in other low- and middle-income countries. Life expectancy is five years shorter, and infant mortality rates are twice as high. Among the 39 countries, 21 are currently experiencing active conflict, including Ukraine, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Gaza Strip. The study pointed out that in countries embroiled in high-intensity conflict, defined as those with more than 150 conflict-related deaths per million people, their economies contract by a cumulative 20 percent within five years of the conflict's onset. As conflicts escalate, hunger rises in tandem. According to the World Bank's estimates, around 18 percent, roughly 200 million people, of the populations in these 39 countries are facing acute food insecurity, compared to just 1 percent in other low- and middle-incomecountries. The report also emphasized that some nations managed to escape the cycle of fragility and conflict, citing Nepal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Rwanda, and Sri Lanka as examples.
Qatar Tribune
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Trump praises Qatar, Egypt for helping secure release of American hostage
QNA Washington US President Donald Trump underlined that the release of Edan Alexander, the American hostage held by Hamas, constitutes a 'positive beginning' toward ending what he described as the 'brutal war' in the Gaza Strip. He praised the mediation efforts of the State of Qatar and Arab Republic of Egypt. In a statement posted on his Truth Social platform, President Trump said, 'This step was taken in good faith toward the United States, thanks to the diligent efforts of Qatar and Egypt.' He expressed deep gratitude to all parties involved in achieving this significant humanitarian outcome, emphasizing that the shared goal is to end the conflict and ensure the return of all hostages, both living and deceased, to their families. Trump added, 'I hope this marks the beginning of the final necessary steps to end this brutal conflict.'
Qatar Tribune
10-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
Trump proposes reducing tariffs on China to 80%
QNA Washington US President Donald Trump suggested today the possibility of reducing tariffs on China from 145 percent to 80 percent, ahead of negotiations between the two countries to be held in Switzerland to discuss their trade relationship. The US President wrote in a post on his platform, Truth Social, that '80 percent on China seems right.' He added that the decision is up to US Treasury Secretary Scott Besant, the head of the US negotiating delegation, who will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng this week in Geneva, in an effort to calm tensions in global markets. In another post, the US President said that China should open its markets to the United States, adding that this would be very beneficial for them, as 'closed markets don't work anymore,' he said. Trade tensions between the world's two largest economies have escalated since US President Donald Trump launched a sweeping tariff campaign against Chinese goods, raising US tariffs on Chinese goods to 145 percent. Beijing responded with retaliatory tariffs of 125 percent on US products.
