Latest news with #TradeRepresentative
The Star
07-08-2025
- Business
- The Star
Indonesia's copper export to the US gets zero tariff
JAKARTA: Investment and Downstreaming Minister Rosan Roeslani confirmed that Indonesian copper will be subject to a zero-per cent import tariff in the United States, while negotiations continue to expand this exemption to other commodities, reported Antara news agency. "For copper, we get a 0 per cent tariff," Roeslani stated during the 2025 Indonesia-Japan Executive Dialogue here on Wednesday (Aug 6). The minister stated that Indonesia is still negotiating with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to reduce import tariffs for other commodities, such as nickel and palm oil, and he expressed optimism about achieving favourable results for Indonesia. "We are negotiating (the tariff reduction) for other commodities. So far, we got (zero tariff) for copper, and other commodities such as nickel are likely to be approved, even if not at zero per cent, but at least lower than the current 19 per cent tariff," he remarked. According to Roeslani, Indonesia is also seeking a tariff-free status for other commodities that are not produced in the United States. Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that Indonesia is seeking tariff reductions on commodities including crude palm oil, rubber, shorea wood, and copper derivatives. In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the tariff, which was initially set at 32 per cent by President Donald Trump last April, to 19 per cent. In exchange, Indonesia has committed to purchasing US$15 billion in US energy products and US$4.5 billion in US agricultural products, according to the US president on July 16. Indonesia also intends to purchase 50 Boeing jets, mostly Boeing 777 passenger jets, Trump stated. No details were provided regarding which Indonesian parties would purchase the Boeing jets. - Bernama-Antara
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Philippines plans to negotiate with US to lower tariffs, envoy to Washington says
MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines is planning to negotiate with Washington to lower tariffs after the United States moved to impose higher 20% duties on goods imported from Manila, its ambassador to the United States said on Thursday. "We are still planning to negotiate that down," Jose Manuel Romualdez said in a phone message. U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued August 1 tariff notices to several trading partners including the Philippines, which he slapped with a 20% duty, higher than the previously announced 17%. Asked what rate the Philippines is looking at, he said: "Will see." U.S. goods trade with the Philippines reached an estimated $23.5 billion in 2024, according to data from the Office of the United States Trade Representative. U.S. exports to the Philippines stood at $9.3 billion, a 0.4% increase from 2023, while imports from the Philippines totalled $14.2 billion, up 6.9% year-over-year. The resulting U.S. goods trade deficit with the Philippines widened to $4.9 billion in 2024, marking a 21.8% increase from the previous year. There was no immediate comment from the office of the Philippine president.
Bloomberg
07-07-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Evercore ISI's Sarah Bianchi on Global Trade Uncertainty
Evercore ISI Head of US Public Policy & Political Strategy Research, and Former Deputy US Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi outlines the impacts of President Trump's tariffs on Japan and South Korea, as well as the impacts it might have on other nations. (Source: Bloomberg)
Fox News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Trump pitches plan allowing farmers to vouch for illegal immigrant workers facing deportation
The Trump administration plans to implement a process whereby farmers in Iowa can vouch for hard-working, law-abiding migrant farmworkers who may be facing deportation, so that they can remain in the U.S. The proposed process was shared by President Donald Trump during an event at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Thursday night, kicking off a year of patriotic celebrations meant to honor the nation's 250th birthday. Trump said the new plan will take place in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security and that legislation for the measure is currently being drafted, while speaking Thursday evening from Iowa. "You know, they've had people working for them for years. And we're going to do something … we're going to sort of put the farmers in charge," Trump told the crowd of people in attendance. "If a farmer has been with one of these people that worked so hard – they bend over all day, we don't have too many people that can do that, but they work very hard, and they know him very well, and some of the farmers are literally, you know, they cry when they see this happen – if a farmer is willing to vouch for these people, in some way, Kristie, I think we're going to have to just say that's going to be good, right?" "We don't want to do [border security] where we take all of the workers off the farms," Trump added. "We want the farms to do great." According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, Iowa is the nation's second-largest agricultural exporting state. While announcing the new plan, Trump cited cases he had heard of when migrants who have worked on farms for 15 years "get thrown out pretty viciously." "We can't do that," Trump added. "We got to work with the farmers and people that have hotels and leisure properties." Earlier this week, when Trump previously hinted at the new immigration exemption for farmers, he also suggested the move could be implemented for workers in the hospitality industry, as well. While sharing the new immigration proposal with the crowd at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on Thursday night, Trump spoke to potential criticisms of the move by "serious radical-right people" within the GOP, asking the crowd rhetorically if they think these folks "will understand." After the president first brought up the proposal earlier this week, critics have already started sounding off. "So, if I'm to understand this correctly, we should look the other way regarding illegal immigration as long as it's in the construction, hotel, or restaurant industries? This is far beyond disappointing, it's infuriating," California Republican state Sen. Melissa Melendez wrote on X. The president noted Thursday evening that the move will put farmers "in charge" and ultimately the responsibility for any problems that arise will fall to their feet. "If the farmers don't do a good job, we'll throw them the hell out of the country. We'll let the guys – we'll let the illegals stay, and we'll throw the farmers the hell out," Trump said. "Okay, get ready, farmer, I'm telling you."
Reuters
01-07-2025
- Business
- Reuters
South Africa seeks extension of Trump tariff deadline to pursue trade deal
JOHANNESBURG, July 1 (Reuters) - South Africa has asked for more time to negotiate a trade deal with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration before his higher tariff regime goes into effect on July 9, Pretoria's trade ministry said on Tuesday. Trump imposed a 31% tax on U.S. imports from South Africa in April as part of his global "reciprocal" tariffs, before pausing their application for 90 days to allow for negotiations. South Africa aims to secure a trade deal that would exempt some of its key exports from the tariffs, including autos, auto parts, steel, and aluminium. It has offered to buy liquefied natural gas from the United States in exchange. It is also seeking a maximum tariff application of 10% as a worst-case scenario, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition said in a statement. South African officials met with Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Africa Connie Hamilton in Luanda last week, and learned that the U.S. was developing a template to use for its engagements with African countries, the statement said. "In view of this development..., African countries, including South Africa, have advocated for the extension of the 90-day deadline to enable countries to prepare their proposed deals in accordance with the new template," it said. The U.S. Trade Representative's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The U.S. is South Africa's second-largest bilateral trading partner after China. In addition to car parts and other manufactured goods, South Africa exports agricultural products to the U.S. and stands to lose about 35,000 jobs in the citrus industry if the tariffs take effect. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa first presented the proposed trade deal during his visit to the White House in May, when Trump confronted him with false claims of a "genocide" against whites in South Africa. Ramaphosa later said constructive discussions had followed. "We urge South African industry to exercise strategic patience and not take decisions in haste, and that government will continue to use every avenue to engage the U.S. government to find amicable solutions," said Trade Minister Parks Tau.
