Latest news with #TradeRelations
CNA
a day ago
- Business
- CNA
Merz to meet Trump in US for talks on Ukraine, trade, Middle East
BERLIN: German Chancellor Friedrich Merz will meet with US President Donald Trump on Thursday (Jun 5) for talks at the White House, with the Ukraine and Mideast conflicts on the agenda along with rocky trade relations. The talks will mark Merz's first official visit as chancellor since taking office in early May, and be the first time the two leaders have met. The two leaders will discuss relations between the two countries, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said Saturday, as well as "the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, the situation in the Middle East and trade policy". Trump has rattled Europe with shifts in security and trade policy since returning to the White House, including an array of tariffs on European partners. Speaking at the WDR Europaforum conference last Monday, Merz said the European Union could retaliate with measures against US technology companies or other tariffs if the transatlantic trade conflict escalates. "We shouldn't react heedlessly and hectically," Merz said. "But if we can't do anything else, we would need to use this tool." But Merz's government, which last week said it would help Kyiv develop long-range missiles, wants to make sure that Washington will not walk away from Ukraine during its war with Russia. Merz and Trump have already had several telephone conversations, with the two agreeing earlier this month to visit each other, without giving dates. With regards to the conflict in Gaza, Merz has sought to heighten the pressure on Israel over its policies, balancing Berlin's support for the Israeli government with criticism of how it is fighting in the territory. "I no longer understand what the Israeli army is now doing in the Gaza Strip," he told public broadcaster WDR last week, warning the Israeli government to not do that which "friends are no longer willing to accept".
The National
4 days ago
- Business
- The National
UAE and EU hold talks on trade deal
The UAE and EU held talks on Wednesday over a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, as Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, met the bloc's trade chief Maros Sefcovic in Dubai. The Cepa will strengthen economic ties and unlock new avenues for co-operation. It will pave the way for the removal of trade barriers, enhance market access for goods and services and stimulate investment in key sectors. 'Our negotiations towards a UAE-EU Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement are of great importance to both the UAE and the EU,' said Dr Al Zeyoudi, in comments reported by state news agency Wam. 'By working together, we will strengthen our supply chains, drive innovation and create jobs that will benefit our communities and economies for many years to come.' The EU is already among the UAE's key trading partners, with non-oil trade last year reaching $67.6 billion – 8.3 per cent of the Emirates' total. Analysis Maros Sefcovic is juggling multiple international trade agreement files, but his message was clear when he spoke to The National on Wednesday. The EU-UAE bilateral trade deal will be finalised soon, he said. It is in everyone's interests to do so and both sides want to move quickly and are in alignment. He said the UAE is a very important partner for the EU. We also talked about US-EU tariffs. He answered that both sides need to talk more and more often, but he is prepared to defend Europe's position and said diplomacy should be a guiding principle for all. 'The launch of EU-UAE trade talks is an important milestone. We will now work together to seal a deal that can benefit our peoples and businesses, bringing us closer together in a spirit of co-operation,' European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement. 'Such an agreement would help strengthen ties between the EU and the Gulf region, offering new opportunities for EU businesses while bolstering our partnership in areas that matter to EU citizens like renewable energy and digital technologies.' Mr Sefcovic said it was 'natural to seek to grow our relations with long-standing and trusted partners' such as the UAE. His visit also included talks with private sector representatives, focusing on opportunities for increased collaboration and investment flows between the UAE and the EU, Wam reported. Asked by The National whether the Cepa with the UAE could become a blueprint for a future EU-GCC free trade agreement, Mr Sefcovic said: 'We have kept our partners fully informed.'
Saudi Press
6 days ago
- Business
- Saudi Press
Saudi EXIM Bank Signs MoUs with Tajikistan's State Unitary Bank, AFESD to Enhance Access to Saudi Exports
Saudi EXIM Bank Signs MoUs with Tajikistan's State Unitary Bank, AFESD to Enhance Access to Saudi Exports Sunday 27/11/1446 Voice reader
South China Morning Post
24-05-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Chinese vice-premier meets US finance chiefs amid Beijing's trade war charm offensive
Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng met senior executives from two major US financial institutions amid Beijing's latest push to assure and attract American investors as its trade war with Washington heated up State news agency Xinhua reported that He met Citigroup's chairman John Dugan and Carlyle Group's chief executive Harvey Schwartz separately in Beijing on Friday, saying: 'China's economy has continued its notable rebound, while high-quality development efforts are resulting in solid progress, demonstrating strong resilience and great vitality.' He added that China welcomed investment from foreign firms and would 'continue to expand its high-level opening up to the outside world, offering broad space for the long-term and stable development of multinational companies'. According to Xinhua, Dugan said Citigroup was willing to 'deepen its presence in the Chinese market' and would deepen investment cooperation, while Schwartz said Carlyle was willing to 'commit to long-term cooperation with China'. The Friday meetings came as trade frictions between Beijing and Washington remained high despite the two sides agreeing earlier this month to remove many of the tariffs imposed since April 2 and suspending others for 90 days following talks where He led the Chinese delegation. Carlyle Group has described itself as one of the first and most active international private equity investors in the Chinese market. Meanwhile, Citigroup has a strong presence across mainland China and in Hong Kong, where it set up its first office in 1902 and now runs a global wealth management centre to cater for the growing number of mainland clients.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Rules of trade are being 'rewritten': Minister Joly
After meeting with a delegation of U.S. senators, Industry Minister Mélanie Joly joins Power & Politics to discuss efforts to bolster Canadian industry amid the changing trade relationship with the U.S.
