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The Advertiser
11-05-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
US and China hold second day of tariff talks
The US and China have resumed crucial tariff talks that have put the global economy on edge, but it's unclear exactly how much progress negotiators are making behind closed doors. US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that "great progress" was being made and even suggested a "total reset" was possible as the sides took their seats for the second and final scheduled day of discussions in Geneva on Sunday. Beijing has yet to comment directly, but its official news agency took a tough approach, saying China will "firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity". Still, Trump wrote Sunday on social media that "great progress" was being made. He gave no further details, and officials at the White House also offered little information during and after the opening day of discussions. The discussions could help stabilise world markets roiled by the US-China stand-off that has ships in port with goods from China unwilling to unload until they get the final word on tariffs. The discussions have been shrouded in secrecy, and neither side made comments to reporters as they left Saturday. "Talks should never be a pretext for continued coercion or extortion, and China will firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity," Xinhua said in an editorial. As with the day before, the delegations left the villa designated for talks after a couple of hours for a lunch break. Trump last month raised US tariffs on China to a combined 145 per cent, and China retaliated by hitting American imports with a 125 per cent levy. Tariffs that high essentially amount to the countries' boycotting each other's products, disrupting trade that last year topped $US660 billion ($A1.0 trillion). Even before talks got underway, Trump suggested on Friday that the US could lower its tariffs on China, saying in a Truth Social post that " 80 per cent Tariff seems right! Up to Scott!" — referring to lead negotiator and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The talks mark the first time the sides have met face-to-face to discuss the issues. And though prospects for a breakthrough are slight, even a small drop in tariffs, particularly if taken simultaneously, would help restore some confidence. "Negotiations to begin de-escalating the growing US–China trade war are badly needed and it's a positive sign that both sides were able to gracefully move beyond their bickering over who had to call first," Jake Werner, director of the East Asia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said. The tariff fight with China has been the most intense. Trump's tariffs on China include a 20 per cent charge meant to pressure Beijing into doing more to stop the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States. The remaining 125 per cent involve a dispute that dates back to Trump's first term and comes atop tariffs he levied on China back then, which means the total tariffs on some Chinese goods can exceed 145 per cent. China's trade deficit, which came to a record $US263 billion ($A410 billion) last year, has also been a major target of Trump's complaints. The US and China have resumed crucial tariff talks that have put the global economy on edge, but it's unclear exactly how much progress negotiators are making behind closed doors. US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that "great progress" was being made and even suggested a "total reset" was possible as the sides took their seats for the second and final scheduled day of discussions in Geneva on Sunday. Beijing has yet to comment directly, but its official news agency took a tough approach, saying China will "firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity". Still, Trump wrote Sunday on social media that "great progress" was being made. He gave no further details, and officials at the White House also offered little information during and after the opening day of discussions. The discussions could help stabilise world markets roiled by the US-China stand-off that has ships in port with goods from China unwilling to unload until they get the final word on tariffs. The discussions have been shrouded in secrecy, and neither side made comments to reporters as they left Saturday. "Talks should never be a pretext for continued coercion or extortion, and China will firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity," Xinhua said in an editorial. As with the day before, the delegations left the villa designated for talks after a couple of hours for a lunch break. Trump last month raised US tariffs on China to a combined 145 per cent, and China retaliated by hitting American imports with a 125 per cent levy. Tariffs that high essentially amount to the countries' boycotting each other's products, disrupting trade that last year topped $US660 billion ($A1.0 trillion). Even before talks got underway, Trump suggested on Friday that the US could lower its tariffs on China, saying in a Truth Social post that " 80 per cent Tariff seems right! Up to Scott!" — referring to lead negotiator and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The talks mark the first time the sides have met face-to-face to discuss the issues. And though prospects for a breakthrough are slight, even a small drop in tariffs, particularly if taken simultaneously, would help restore some confidence. "Negotiations to begin de-escalating the growing US–China trade war are badly needed and it's a positive sign that both sides were able to gracefully move beyond their bickering over who had to call first," Jake Werner, director of the East Asia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said. The tariff fight with China has been the most intense. Trump's tariffs on China include a 20 per cent charge meant to pressure Beijing into doing more to stop the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States. The remaining 125 per cent involve a dispute that dates back to Trump's first term and comes atop tariffs he levied on China back then, which means the total tariffs on some Chinese goods can exceed 145 per cent. China's trade deficit, which came to a record $US263 billion ($A410 billion) last year, has also been a major target of Trump's complaints. The US and China have resumed crucial tariff talks that have put the global economy on edge, but it's unclear exactly how much progress negotiators are making behind closed doors. US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that "great progress" was being made and even suggested a "total reset" was possible as the sides took their seats for the second and final scheduled day of discussions in Geneva on Sunday. Beijing has yet to comment directly, but its official news agency took a tough approach, saying China will "firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity". Still, Trump wrote Sunday on social media that "great progress" was being made. He gave no further details, and officials at the White House also offered little information during and after the opening day of discussions. The discussions could help stabilise world markets roiled by the US-China stand-off that has ships in port with goods from China unwilling to unload until they get the final word on tariffs. The discussions have been shrouded in secrecy, and neither side made comments to reporters as they left Saturday. "Talks should never be a pretext for continued coercion or extortion, and China will firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity," Xinhua said in an editorial. As with the day before, the delegations left the villa designated for talks after a couple of hours for a lunch break. Trump last month raised US tariffs on China to a combined 145 per cent, and China retaliated by hitting American imports with a 125 per cent levy. Tariffs that high essentially amount to the countries' boycotting each other's products, disrupting trade that last year topped $US660 billion ($A1.0 trillion). Even before talks got underway, Trump suggested on Friday that the US could lower its tariffs on China, saying in a Truth Social post that " 80 per cent Tariff seems right! Up to Scott!" — referring to lead negotiator and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The talks mark the first time the sides have met face-to-face to discuss the issues. And though prospects for a breakthrough are slight, even a small drop in tariffs, particularly if taken simultaneously, would help restore some confidence. "Negotiations to begin de-escalating the growing US–China trade war are badly needed and it's a positive sign that both sides were able to gracefully move beyond their bickering over who had to call first," Jake Werner, director of the East Asia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said. The tariff fight with China has been the most intense. Trump's tariffs on China include a 20 per cent charge meant to pressure Beijing into doing more to stop the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States. The remaining 125 per cent involve a dispute that dates back to Trump's first term and comes atop tariffs he levied on China back then, which means the total tariffs on some Chinese goods can exceed 145 per cent. China's trade deficit, which came to a record $US263 billion ($A410 billion) last year, has also been a major target of Trump's complaints. The US and China have resumed crucial tariff talks that have put the global economy on edge, but it's unclear exactly how much progress negotiators are making behind closed doors. US President Donald Trump wrote on social media that "great progress" was being made and even suggested a "total reset" was possible as the sides took their seats for the second and final scheduled day of discussions in Geneva on Sunday. Beijing has yet to comment directly, but its official news agency took a tough approach, saying China will "firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity". Still, Trump wrote Sunday on social media that "great progress" was being made. He gave no further details, and officials at the White House also offered little information during and after the opening day of discussions. The discussions could help stabilise world markets roiled by the US-China stand-off that has ships in port with goods from China unwilling to unload until they get the final word on tariffs. The discussions have been shrouded in secrecy, and neither side made comments to reporters as they left Saturday. "Talks should never be a pretext for continued coercion or extortion, and China will firmly reject any proposal that compromises core principles or undermines the broader cause of global equity," Xinhua said in an editorial. As with the day before, the delegations left the villa designated for talks after a couple of hours for a lunch break. Trump last month raised US tariffs on China to a combined 145 per cent, and China retaliated by hitting American imports with a 125 per cent levy. Tariffs that high essentially amount to the countries' boycotting each other's products, disrupting trade that last year topped $US660 billion ($A1.0 trillion). Even before talks got underway, Trump suggested on Friday that the US could lower its tariffs on China, saying in a Truth Social post that " 80 per cent Tariff seems right! Up to Scott!" — referring to lead negotiator and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The talks mark the first time the sides have met face-to-face to discuss the issues. And though prospects for a breakthrough are slight, even a small drop in tariffs, particularly if taken simultaneously, would help restore some confidence. "Negotiations to begin de-escalating the growing US–China trade war are badly needed and it's a positive sign that both sides were able to gracefully move beyond their bickering over who had to call first," Jake Werner, director of the East Asia Program at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, said. The tariff fight with China has been the most intense. Trump's tariffs on China include a 20 per cent charge meant to pressure Beijing into doing more to stop the flow of the synthetic opioid fentanyl into the United States. The remaining 125 per cent involve a dispute that dates back to Trump's first term and comes atop tariffs he levied on China back then, which means the total tariffs on some Chinese goods can exceed 145 per cent. China's trade deficit, which came to a record $US263 billion ($A410 billion) last year, has also been a major target of Trump's complaints.
The Star
10-05-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Trump urged to take slow and steady approach to North Korea to end nuclear stalemate
The US should adopt a pragmatic approach towards North Korea, taking a 'slow and paced' tack on denuclearisation and engaging regional stakeholders such as China, according to a US think tank. The proposal by researchers at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft coincides with reports that the administration of US President Donald Trump is consulting experts on reviving talks with Pyongyang. During his first term, Trump held a series of historic talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un on the issue. Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team. The first summit in Singapore in 2018 resulted in a joint statement with vague commitments to denuclearisation while a second in Hanoi, Vietnam, a year later ended abruptly without a deal, suggesting disagreements over sanctions relief and the scope of North Korea's nuclear disarmament. Months later Trump met Kim at the heavily fortified demilitarised zone between North and South Korea and the two agreed to restart negotiations, but Pyongyang continued to advance its nuclear and missile programmes. In a research note published on Monday, Stephen Costello, a non-resident fellow at the institute, argued that the Trump administration should aim for a deal allowing for slow and paced denuclearisation, which he said was more realistic. Full denuclearisation should be an agreed long-term aspiration that would take at least a decade, he added. 'For security, the administration should aim for an early halt to all fissile material, nuclear weapons, and the production of intercontinental ballistic missiles, or ICBMs,' Costello wrote, adding that a deal would also entail on-the-ground inspections by the International Atomic Energy Agency. In return, the US should offer credible civilian sanctions relief, such as from the five 'extreme' sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council in 2016 and 2017 that targeted civilian livelihood and 'prevented all diplomacy', according to Costello. The mainly economic and non-military sanctions banned the export of North Korean mineral resources and seafood, as well as restricted imports of crude oil and refined petroleum products, among others. During the 2019 Hanoi summit, North Korea requested relief from the sanctions, as they were seen as disproportionately harming its economic stability and civilian livelihoods. The US, however, rejected the proposal. Costello said experienced non-proliferation experts agreed that the US should have accepted the deal offered at Hanoi. The proposal involved dismantling all Yongbyon nuclear facilities and initiating talks on capping and rolling back the rest of the programme in exchange for lifting five 'extreme' sanctions deemed not affecting security. The Quincy Institute researcher, who is a visiting scholar at George Washington University, suggested that any potential agreement should include multiple signatories, as it would lack credibility if the US alone had the authority to decide when suspended sanctions should be reimposed. 'The combination of reciprocal actions by the [Democratic People's Republic of Korea] and active support, oversight and guarantees by China, Russia, Europe and Asia would be far more effective,' he wrote, referring to North Korea by its official name. 'Mutually reinforcing actions, aligned with the core interests of multiple players, would ultimately provide the most confidence in any agreement.' Costello described China's involvement as crucial in the North Korea issue, and said it could allow for additional US-China cooperation on other matters, including nuclear de-escalation. Beijing supports denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula while making regional stability a priority. It has advocated a 'dual-suspension' approach, urging Seoul and Washington to halt joint military drills while Pyongyang freezes its missile and nuclear programmes. 'They could provide credible guarantees in support of the deal, so that they are present at many of the 'capping' sites and in many of the 'rollback' talks. Chinese buy-in could be strong and durable,' Costello wrote in the brief. With its nuclear expertise and strong ties to Pyongyang, Russia could complement China's role in providing guarantees, offering additional assurance to both Washington and Pyongyang that the deal would be upheld, according to Costello. He also emphasised the need for South Korea to have a deeper, more integrated role, starting from the planning stages through to the deal's signing and implementation. 'The South Koreans should be the party to carry much of the weight of follow-through. To do this, they should be brought in from the beginning on planning and meetings.' James Park, a research associate in the Quincy Institute's East Asia programme, advocated on Monday for a shift in the US-South Korea alliance's deterrence strategy on the Korean peninsula, moving away from 'deterrence by punishment' towards more flexible and proactive 'deterrence by denial' to proportionately retaliate or exercise restraint. These involved shifting the focus of joint military exercises from offensive operations to defensive readiness, cutting or curbing the visibility of highly provocative drills and reducing the frequency of US nuclear asset deployments. 'Combined with successful arms control negotiations, this new approach to deterrence would create a more durable foundation for stable coexistence on the Korean peninsula,' Park said. More from South China Morning Post: For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2025.
Al Jazeera
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Can the US broker a Ukraine ceasefire?
The deal offered by the United States is an 'unfortunate compromise' that should be accepted by Russia and Ukraine, argues Anatol Lieven, director of the Eurasia programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft. Lieven tells host Steve Clemons that Ukraine's leaders should acknowledge that the Ukrainian territories occupied by Russia over the past years are lost. He adds that Russia – by accepting a ceasefire on current battle lines – has 'given up' on trying to occupy all the territory of Ukraine it had hoped for. Meanwhile, Europe 'has nothing serious to offer' to end the fighting, Lieven says.
South China Morning Post
13-02-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
South China Sea: US urged to avoid frontal role, enable Philippines to lead
The United States should avoid a frontal military role in countering Beijing's actions in the South China Sea and instead enable the Philippines to take the lead, according to a report published this week by an American think tank. Advertisement Washington has suggested providing armed escorts to the Philippines' resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, a move which ups the ante on a feature of less than vital interest to the US. '[This] risks a direct US-China naval clash that can easily spiral out of control,' said the report titled 'Defending Without Provoking: The United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea'. Written by Sarang Shidore, director of the Global South Programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, the report noted that with China's ongoing volatile and coercive behaviour and the Philippines exercising greater autonomy, Washington 'does not hold all the cards'. 'But it can initiate a virtuous cycle of de-escalatory steps, and reduce the risk to American, Philippine, and other lives,' it added. Two Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets fly with two US Air Force B-1 bomber aircraft during a joint patrol and training over the South China Sea on February 4. Photo: Philippine Air Force via AP The report also called on Washington to halt pulling in US allies, particularly extra-regional ones, militarily into South China Sea disputes as this would 'counterproductively' heighten Chinese perceptions of bloc-formation and armed encirclement.
South China Morning Post
13-02-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Should the US enable Philippines to take the lead in South China Sea?
The United States should avoid a frontal military role in countering Beijing's actions in the South China Sea and instead enable the Philippines to take the lead, according to a report published this week by an American think tank. Washington has suggested providing armed escorts to the Philippines' resupply missions to Second Thomas Shoal, a move which ups the ante on a feature of less than vital interest to the US. '[This] risks a direct US-China naval clash that can easily spiral out of control,' said the report titled 'Defending Without Provoking: The United States and the Philippines in the South China Sea'. Written by Sarang Shidore, director of the Global South Programme at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, the report noted that with China's ongoing volatile and coercive behaviour and the Philippines exercising greater autonomy, Washington 'does not hold all the cards'. 'But it can initiate a virtuous cycle of de-escalatory steps, and reduce the risk to American, Philippine, and other lives,' it added. Two Philippine Air Force FA-50 fighter jets fly with two US Air Force B-1 bomber aircraft during a joint patrol and training over the South China Sea on February 4. Photo: Philippine Air Force via AP The report also called on Washington to halt pulling in US allies, particularly extra-regional ones, militarily into South China Sea disputes as this would 'counterproductively' heighten Chinese perceptions of bloc-formation and armed encirclement.
