Gaza diplomacy, Ukraine under fire, and Trump targets Putin
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Arab News
2 hours ago
- Arab News
A look at the countries that received Trump's tariff letters
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has sent letters this week outlining higher tariffs countries will face if they don't make trade deals with the US by Aug. 1. Some mirror the so-called 'reciprocal' rates Trump unveiled against dozens of trading partners in April — the bulk of which were later postponed just hours after taking effect. But many are higher or lower than those previously announced amounts. So far, Trump has warned the European Union and 24 nations, including major trading partners like South Korea and Japan, that steeper tariffs will be imposed starting Aug. 1. Nearly all of these letters took the same general tone with the exception of Brazil, Canada, the EU and Mexico, which included more specifics about Trump's issues with those countries. Nearly every country has faced a minimum 10 percent levy on goods entering the US since April, on top of other levies on specific products like steel and automobiles. And future escalation is still possible. In his letters, which were posted on Truth Social, Trump warned countries that they would face even higher tariffs if they retaliated by increasing their own import taxes. Here's a look at the countries that have gotten tariff letters so far — and where things stand now: Brazil Tariff rate: 50 percent starting Aug. 1. Brazil wasn't threatened with an elevated 'reciprocal' rate in April — but, like other countries, has faced Trump's 10 percent baseline over the last three months. Key exports to the US: Petroleum, iron products, coffee and fruit juice. Response: In a forceful response, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Trump's tariffs would trigger the country's economic reciprocity law — which allows trade, investment and intellectual property agreements to be suspended against countries that harm Brazil's competitiveness. He also noted that the US has had a trade surplus of more than $410 billion with Brazil over the past 15 years. Myanmar Tariff rate: 40 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 44 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Clothing, leather goods and seafood Response: Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun, the spokesperson for Myanmar's military government said it will follow up with negotiations. Laos Tariff rate: 40 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 48 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Shoes with textile uppers, wood furniture, electronic components and optical fiber Cambodia Tariff rate: 36 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 49 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Textiles, clothing, shoes and bicycles Response: Cambodia's chief negotiator, Sun Chanthol, said the country successfully got the tariff dropped from the 49 percent Trump announced in April to 36 percent and is ready to hold a new round of negotiations. He appealed to investors, especially factory owners, and the country's nearly 1 million garment workers not to panic about the tariff rate announced Monday. Thailand Tariff rate: 36 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Computer parts, rubber products and gemstones Response: Thailand's Deputy Prime Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said Thailand will continue to push for tariff negotiations with the United States. Thailand on Sunday submitted a new proposal that includes opening the Thai market for more American agricultural and industrial products and increasing imports of energy and aircraft. Bangladesh Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 37 percent announced in April. Key export to the US: Clothing Response: Bangladesh's finance adviser Salehuddin Ahmed said Bangladesh hopes to negotiate for a better outcome. There are concerns that additional tariffs would make Bangladesh's garment exports less competitive with countries like Vietnam and India. Canada Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 25 percent imposed earlier this year on goods that don't comply with a North American trade agreement covering the US, Canada and Mexico. Some of Canada's top exports to the US are subject to different industry-specific tariffs. Key exports to the US: Oil and petroleum products, cars and trucks Response: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney posted on X early Friday that the government will continue to work toward a trade deal by the new Aug. 1 deadline. Serbia Tariff rate: 35 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 37 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Software and IT services; car tires Indonesia Tariff rate: 32 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Palm oil, cocoa butter and semiconductors Algeria Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Petroleum, cement and iron products Bosnia and Herzegovina Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 35 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Weapons and ammunition The European Union Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 20 percent announced in April but less than the 50 percent Trump later threatened. Key exports to the US: Pharmaceuticals, cars, aircraft, chemicals, medical instruments, and wine and spirits. Iraq Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 39 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Crude oil and petroleum products Response: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the tariffs would disrupt essential supply chains 'to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic.' She said the EU remains ready to continue working toward an agreement but will take necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including countermeasures if required. Libya Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 31 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Petroleum products Mexico Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 25 percent imposed earlier this year on goods that don't comply with the free trade agreement covering the US, Mexico and Canada. Some of Mexico's top exports to the US are subject to other sector-specific tariffs. Key exports to the US: Cars, motor vehicle parts and accessories, crude oil, delivery trucks, computers, agricultural products South Africa Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Platinum, diamonds, vehicles and auto parts Response: The office of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said in a statement that the tariff rates announced by Trump mischaracterized the trade relationship with the US, but it would 'continue with its diplomatic efforts toward a more balanced and mutually beneficial trade relationship with the United States' after having proposed a trade framework on May 20. Sri Lanka Tariff rate: 30 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 44 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Clothing and rubber products Brunei Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Mineral fuels and machinery equipment Moldova Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 31 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Fruit juice, wine, clothing and plastic products Japan Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Autos, auto parts, electronic Response: Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called the tariff 'extremely regrettable' but said he was determined to continue negotiating. Kazakhstan Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 27 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Oil, uranium, ferroalloys and silver Malaysia Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's up from 24 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Electronics and electrical products Response: Malaysia's government said it will pursue talks with the US A cabinet meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. South Korea Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's the same rate that was announced in April. Key exports to the US: Vehicles, machinery and electronics Response: South Korea's Trade Ministry said early Tuesday that it will accelerate negotiations with the United States to achieve a deal before the 25 percent tax goes into effect. Tunisia Tariff rate: 25 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 28 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Animal and vegetable fats, clothing, fruit and nuts Philippines Tariff rate: 20 percent starting Aug. 1. That's down from 17 percent announced in April. Key exports to the US: Electronics and machinery, clothing and gold
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
UN report sees no active Syrian state links to Al Qaeda
UNITED NATIONS: United Nations sanctions monitors have seen no 'active ties' this year between Al Qaeda and the Islamist group leading Syria's interim government, an unpublished UN report said, a finding that could strengthen an expected US push for removing UN sanctions on Syria. The report, seen by Reuters on Thursday, is likely to be published this month. Hay'at Tahrir Al-Sham is Al Qaeda's former branch in Syria but broke ties in 2016. The group, previously known as Al-Nusra Front, led the rebellion that toppled President Bashar Assad in a lightning offensive in December, and HTS leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa became Syria's interim president. The report comes as diplomats expect the United States to seek the removal of UN sanctions on HTS and Sharaa, who has said he wants to build an inclusive Syria with equal rights for all. 'Many tactical-level individuals hold more extreme views than ... Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, who are generally regarded as more pragmatic than ideological,' the UN report said. It covered the six months to June 22 and relied on contributions and assessments from UN member states. Since May 2014, HTS has been subject to UN sanctions including a global assets freeze and arms embargo. A number of HTS members also face sanctions like a travel ban and asset freeze — including Sharaa, who has been listed since July 2013. The UN monitors wrote in their report to the Security Council: 'Some member states raised concerns that several HTS and aligned members, especially those in tactical roles or integrated into the new Syrian army, remained ideologically tied to Al Qaeda.' US President Donald Trump announced a major US policy shift in May when he said he would lift US sanctions on Syria. He signed an executive order enacting this at the end of June, and Washington revoked its foreign terrorist organization designation of HTS this week. The US said then that revoking the designation was a step toward Trump's vision of a peaceful and unified Syria. The US is 'reviewing our remaining terrorist designations related to HTS and Syria and their placement on the UN sanctions list,' a State Department spokesperson told Reuters. Diplomats, humanitarian organizations and regional analysts have said lifting sanctions would help rebuild Syria's shattered economy, steer the country away from authoritarianism and reduce the appeal of radical groups. Trump and his advisers have argued that doing so would also serve US interests by opening opportunities for American businesses, countering Iranian and Russian influence and potentially limiting the call for US military involvement in the region. OBSTACLES TO US EFFORT But Washington faces diplomatic obstacles to get Security Council backing for removing the sanctions. The US will also need to win support from Russia — which was an ally to Assad — and China for any Syria sanctions relief at the UN, diplomats said. Both are particularly concerned about foreigners who joined HTS during the 13-year war between rebel groups and Assad. The UN experts said there were estimated to be more than 5,000 foreign fighters in Syria. The status of foreign fighters has been one of the most fraught issues hindering Syria's rapprochement with the West. But the US has given its blessing to a plan by Syria's new leaders to integrate foreign fighters into the army. 'China is gravely concerned about such developments. The Syrian interim authorities should earnestly fulfill their counter-terrorism obligations,' China's UN Ambassador Fu Cong told the Security Council last month. He said Syria must combat terrorist organizations including 'the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, also known as the Turkistan Islamic Party.' Uyghur fighters from China and Central Asia are members of the Turkistan Islamic Party. Rights groups accuse Beijing of widespread abuses of the mainly Muslim ethnic minority. Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told the Security Council last month that it was essential Syria's 'army and police are staffed exclusively by professional personnel with untainted track records,' an apparent reference to irregular fighters like militants. The UN monitors said some foreign fighters rejected the move to integrate them into the military. 'Defections occurred among those who see Sharaa as a sell-out, raising the risk of internal conflict and making Sharaa a potential target,' the UN experts said.
Arab News
3 hours ago
- Arab News
North Korean leader Kim reaffirms support for Russia on Ukraine, KCNA says
SEOUL: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un reaffirmed Pyongyang's 'unconditional support' for all actions taken by the Russian leadership to fundamentally resolve the Ukraine situation, the North's state media reported on Sunday. Kim made the comment during his meeting with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Saturday, state news agency KCNA said.
