Latest news with #fairtrade
Russia Today
5 days ago
- Business
- Russia Today
Lula and Modi push back against US tariffs
The leaders of Brazil and India have reaffirmed their support for multilateralism and fair trade in response to sweeping US tariffs, according to a statement by the Brazilian government. Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva held a one-hour phone call with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday to discuss the global economic outlook and rising trade tensions. Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of 'defending multilateralism and the need to confront current global challenges,' while exploring deeper integration between the two nations, the statement said. The talks came after US President Donald Trump imposed a 50% tariff on Brazilian goods on July 30, citing the prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing trial for allegedly plotting a coup following his 2022 election defeat. Trump accused Brasilia of political persecution and called the BRICS nation a threat to US national security. Brazil condemned the move as an illegal attempt to interfere in its internal affairs. China backed Brazil, denouncing what it called 'bullying' by the US. On Wednesday, Trump announced a 50% tariff on Indian imports effective late August, citing the country's oil trade with Russia. New Delhi slammed the move as 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,' and vowed to defend its national interests. Trump has repeatedly accused BRICS members of trying to undermine the US dollar and has threatened additional 10% tariffs. The economic group has rejected the claim and argued that Washington's own foreign policy undermines the greenback. BRICS, which was formed by Brazil, Russia, India, and China in 2006, with South Africa joining four years later, has since expanded and now surpasses the G7 in combined GDP. Trump has also threatened broader tariffs on Russia's trade partners to pressure Moscow into accepting a ceasefire in the Ukraine conflict. Moscow has rebuffed the threats, saying that sovereign nations are free to choose their own trade partners. Lula told Reuters this week that he plans to propose a BRICS summit to coordinate a joint response to Washington's trade pressure.
Washington Post
17-07-2025
- Business
- Washington Post
Australian prime minister indulges in panda diplomacy as China state visit nears end
BEIJING — Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited a panda breeding facility in the final stages of an extended state visit that has cast China as a fellow champion of a global fair trade system under threat from the United States . The panda diplomacy stop Thursday in the central Chinese city of Chengdu highlighted Australia's special status as the only Southern Hemisphere country to host a pair of the rare Chinese native animals.
Bloomberg
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
Sen. McCormick on Trump's ‘Big, Beautiful Bill'
00:00 People that I met on the campaign trail were voting for change. They wanted change. They wanted an economy that worked for them, that worked for working families. They wanted trade policies that they felt were fair. They wanted a border that was secure and didn't didn't sacrifice their their families. And that's the agenda that that I largely ran on, which was to help working, working families build opportunity. Fair trade, not free trade. I was someone who negotiated with China 20 years ago for free trade deals, and I'm now one who believes that we need to be we need to be focused on reciprocity and fairness. We can talk more about that. People that wanted the border closed, wanted law and order, and essentially wanted their fair shake. And so if we talk about the big, beautiful bill, we talk about the border policies, we talk about trade, we talk about immigration. The framing of the policies starts, I think, with those experiences in Pennsylvania. And, you know, I'm I'm about 100 and 5060 days into the job, so I'm still figuring it out. But but I would say I'm very, very privileged to be able to do it. 50 I'm the 54th elected senator from Pennsylvania. But I think I have a unique perspective because I now have have I have learned what's going on on the ground in a way that I had grown away from since since I left for West Point. And I also, as I said, have some perspective as someone who sat in this room with all of you. So I'm delighted to have the chance to share that today. Honored to be here. And, David, when I turn to you and you can take it away. Okay, Senator, thank you so much. That was very helpful to set up. So let's pick up on exactly what you talked about and what you learned from traveling all around Pennsylvania for the working men and women, if I can put it that way, in particular, people who are not having an easy time of it. What makes this bill so beautiful? It's big. There's no question it's big. But what makes it beautiful for them? Well, I think the starting point for this and it's in some ways very advantageous to the people in this room and to them, is that if we don't pass the bill, we have the largest tax cut tax increase in history. And so, you know, there's lots of media around this. But essentially, if you look at the bill, if you're a family that makes $50,000 a year, if we don't pass this bill, your taxes go up by $2,000 a year, 2500. So it affects everybody. The large majority of the tax benefit for individual rates, 60% of it goes to people that make $400,000 or below, despite the fact that, you know, 80% of the taxes are paid by the people, that that that make 10% at the highest end of the 10%. But in addition to that, it's very pro-growth.
Coin Geek
05-06-2025
- Business
- Coin Geek
BSV for supply chain provenance in artisanal industries
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... In artisanal industries like fair-trade coffee, organic textiles, and handmade jewelry, transparency and trust are paramount. Consumers increasingly demand proof of ethical sourcing and authenticity, yet traditional supply chain systems often lack the granularity to provide it. BSV, with its scalable blockchain, low-cost transactions, and tamper-proof data storage, offers a powerful solution for recording supply chain provenance in these niche markets. By enabling small producers to document origin, certifications, and production processes on-chain, BSV fosters consumer confidence and eliminates costly intermediaries. This article explores how BSV transforms artisanal supply chains and its potential to empower small-scale producers. The provenance problem in artisanal markets Artisanal industries face unique supply chain challenges. Small producers, such as coffee farmers or weavers, often lack the resources to verify ethical practices or certifications, leaving them vulnerable to exploitation by middlemen. Consumers, meanwhile, struggle to distinguish genuine fair-trade or organic products from greenwashed alternatives. For example, only 10%-20% of 'fair-trade' coffee sales directly benefit farmers, per industry reports. This highlights the need for a supply chain that is both transparent and supporting of its producers. Blockchain technology promises to address these issues by recording immutable provenance data, but most blockchains are too expensive or limited for small-scale applications. BSV's high throughput and affordability uniquely suit artisanal industries, where low margins and frequent transactions demand cost-effective solutions. BSV's technical fit for provenance BSV blockchain is designed for high-volume data recording. Its unbounded block size—reaching 4GB in tests—supports 1,000,000 TPS, enabling real-time tracking of supply chain events, from harvest to retail. Transaction fees below $0.00011 allow small producers to log data points—like organic certification or fair-trade compliance—without breaking the bank. BSV's immutable ledger ensures that provenance records, once recorded, cannot be altered, providing verifiable proof of authenticity. BSV's data storage capabilities are particularly valuable for artisanal markets. Producers can embed detailed metadata into the blockchain, such as farm GPS coordinates, worker wages, or carbon footprint. Consumers can access this data via QR codes on product packaging, using apps to verify claims. This transparency provides a way for producers to ensure truth in relation to their buyers. Niche applications: Artisanal empowerment BSV's provenance capabilities shine in artisanal contexts. In fair-trade coffee, farmers can record harvest dates, processing methods, and certifications on-chain, allowing roasters and consumers to verify ethical sourcing. Cooperatives in regions like Ethiopia could use BSV to pool data, reducing costs and increasing market access. Similarly, organic textile producers can document dye sources or labor conditions, appealing to eco-conscious buyers. Often sold in niche markets, handmade jewellery benefits from BSV's ability to tokenize individual pieces. Artisans can create digital certificates of authenticity, linking physical items to blockchain records that detail gemstone origins or craftsmanship details. This builds trust in markets plagued by counterfeit goods. BSV's micropayment functionality also enables producers to receive direct payments from consumers, bypassing exploitative distributors. The future: Scaling artisanal trust BSV's potential to transform artisanal supply chains is already taking shape. Projects are developing platforms to integrate provenance tracking into small-scale production, while the BSV Association promotes adoption in developing regions. As consumer demand for ethical products grows—projected to reach $150 billion by 2030—BSV's scalable infrastructure could become a standard for artisanal markets. Conclusion BSV's scalable blockchain, low fees, and immutable data storage make it a game-changer for artisanal supply chain provenance. By enabling small producers to document ethical practices and authenticity, BSV builds consumer trust and reduces reliance on middlemen. From fair-trade coffee to handmade jewelry, its niche applications empower producers and align with the growing demand for transparency. As artisanal markets expand, BSV is poised to redefine supply chain trust, proving blockchain can deliver equitable benefits for small-scale industries. Watch: Unpacking Bitcoin sustainability at the London Blockchain Conference 2024 title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""> Artisanal Products Bitcoin SV BSV Blockchain Coffee Supply Chain Tokenized
Russia Today
03-06-2025
- Business
- Russia Today
Fair trade is critical for Africa
Fair trade is essential for Africa's future, according to Irada Zeynalova, Russia's ambassador to Mauritius. She stressed that African nations must be empowered to build self-reliant economies instead of remaining dependent on foreign aid. In an interview with local weekly Bizweek on Sunday, Zeynalova stated that 'fair trade is critical,' as Africans should have the freedom to shape their own development, free from the constraints of post-colonial economic patterns. Reflecting on Africa's historical challenges, the ambassador said the legacy of colonialism continues to cast a shadow across the continent, adding that colonial rule stripped Africa of its people and natural wealth, and that today's generation deserves a chance at a better, sovereign life. 'The time of colonialism must end,' she went on to say. Zeynalova noted that poverty in Africa is not merely financial but deeply rooted in the lack of access to essential services such as education, clean water, and healthcare. Drawing on her experience in Sudan, where her son worked prior to the outbreak of conflict, she said sanctions crippled the agricultural sector despite the presence of the Nile, adding that 'People there survive on $2 a week.' People in Sudan, according to Zeynalova, have a clear demand: 'Leave us alone. Give us safety, medicine, education. We can develop our country ourselves.' The ambassador pointed to the role of the BRICS group as a platform for empowering the Global South. Unlike Western-led alliances such as NATO or the EU, BRICS promotes inclusivity and mutual respect without imposing strict conditions on its members. She characterized the group, which includes Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, among other nations, as 'an open platform where countries are equal and respected.' Zeynalova also stressed that Russia has always viewed African nations as valuable partners rather than countries to exploit. Turning to Mauritius, the ambassador affirmed Russia's enduring commitment to the island nation's sovereignty and independence. 'Russia was one of the first countries to recognize Mauritius' independence and freedom,' she said, adding, 'In Russia, we remember everything.'
