
MoS Margherita participates in G20 Development Ministers' Meeting, speaks of India's role in ensuring social protection
Margherita emphasized the need to bridge the Sustainable Development Goals financing gap.
In a post on X, he said, 'Participated in the first session of the G20 Development Ministers' Meeting on Combating Illicit Financial Flows and Social Protection today. Highlighted India's key achievements in ensuring inclusive Social Protection for all and emphasized the need to bridge the SDG financing gap.'
https://x.com/PmargheritaBJP/status/1948684747938369878
Earlier in the day, Margherita met with South African Minister of the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Maropene Ramokgopa and invited the nation to join the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
Margherita expressed India's support for the priorities of the South African presidency.
In a post on X, he said, 'Glad to meet Maropene Ramokgopa, Minister of DPME, South Africa. Expressed India's support for the priorities of the South African presidency and emphasized the importance of critical minerals and debt sustainability for Africa. Also invited South Africa to join the International Solar Alliance and Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.'
Earlier on Thursday, he met Thani Mohamed-Soilihi Minister of International Partnerships of France on the margins of G20 Development Minister's Meeting.
In a post on X, he said, 'It was a pleasure to meet Thani Mohamed-Soilihi, Minister of International Partnerships of France on the margins of G20 Development Minister's Meeting. Discussions were held on 4P and continuing our common interest in AI, reform of international financial architecture, and disaster resilience.'
Margherita is in South Africa to attend G20 Development Ministers' Meeting under the South African G20 Presidency.
In a post on X, he said, 'Arrived at Kruger National park, Mpumalanga South Africa to attend G20 Development Ministers' Meeting under the South African G20 Presidency. Looking forward to meaningful engagements with stakeholders from G20 members and invited countries to discuss key development issues facing the world.'
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Cision Canada
a day ago
- Cision Canada
G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting in South Africa: Minister Hajdu reinforces Canada's leadership
GEORGE, South Africa, Aug. 1, 2025 /CNW/ - The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario, wrapped up her participation at the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting in George, South Africa from July 30 to 31, 2025. Meeting the challenges of our time means leading with ambition, unity and action. At the G20 Labour and Employment Ministerial Meeting, Minister Hajdu reinforced Canada's leadership to support inclusive growth, youth employment, gender equality and inclusion in the workforce, to ensure no one is left behind in a rapidly changing world. Minister Hajdu discussed key initiatives, such as Canada's Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, Canada Service Corps and the expansion of student grants and interest-free loans. Minister Hajdu also emphasized a number of domestic initiatives laying important groundwork for long-term progress to enforce equal pay for equal work, reduce the gender wage gap through Canada's first-of-its-kind pay transparency public website Equi'Vision, and build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system with provinces, territories, and Indigenous communities, relieving pressure on families. The Minister also highlighted Canada's support for initiatives brought forward by the presidency, including the G20 Nelson Mandela Bay Goal on Youth, which seeks to further reduce youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) rates by 5% by 2030; the G20 Brisbane-eThekwini Target, which aims to reduce the gender gap in labour force participation by 25% by 2030; and a new G20 target to reduce the gender wage gap by 15% by 2035, noting a review of the target in 5 years with the objective of considering a higher target as measurable progress is made. Strong partnerships mean stronger economies and more opportunities for workers and businesses. That is why Canada is strengthening partnerships and sharing expertise to advance common goals. On the behalf of the Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), Minister Hajdu announced the launch of an initiative called Green Growth – Empowering Youth for a Green Future, in partnership with SOS Children's Village Canada. This $7 million project will be implemented in Ethiopia, Rwanda, and Somalia to increase the economic participation and resilience of disadvantaged youth—particularly young women—by equipping them with the skills and support needed to thrive in the growing green economy. This initiative reflects Canada's commitment to inclusive education, sustainable development and youth empowerment across the region. Along side the G20 meetings, Minister Hajdu also met with her counterparts from Brazil, Germany, Ireland, Lesotho, Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom to strengthen economic ties and share best practices to help workers adapt to a changing job market. Quotes "Building the strongest economy in the G7 means working together across borders and across generations. At the G20, we're tackling the challenges ahead, and securing opportunities that are essential to building a more inclusive, and resilient global economy. Canada is taking action to strengthen ties with our international partners for real, sustainable economic growth that leaves nobody behind." – The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario Quick facts The G20 is the primary forum for international economic cooperation among the world's leading developed and emerging economies. The G20 comprises nineteen countries and two regional unions, representing over 85% of the world's GDP, over 75% of global trade, and more than 66% of the world's population. The Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, a horizontal initiative involving 12 federal departments and agencies, received an additional $351.2 million in 2025-26. This investment will help create over 90,000 job placements for youth, with a growing focus on emerging sectors like green tech, AI, skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing. As of 2024, Canada Service Corps is creating up to 20,000 new volunteer opportunities over three years focusing on equipping youth with meaningful skills and experience. The Canada-wide early learning and child care system is supporting the creation of 250,000 new spaces by 2026, with families of approximately 900,000 children already benefiting from affordable and quality child care across the country. Globally, 2.1 billion adults need remedial education for basic literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills, and 450 million youth are economically disengaged, with young women disproportionately affected. As a global leader in education, ranking as the 7th largest donor, Canada has invested more than $1.2 billion (7.4% of its Official Development Assistance) between 2022-23 and 2024-25 to support education for girls and displaced populations, including refugees, through multilateral, international and Canadian partners — balancing primary education with a growing focus on technical and vocational training (TVET) — which also strengthens Canada's economy, security, and international influence by fostering stable partners, new markets and shared values. Associated links Canada and the G20 G20 – South Africa 2025 Canada-South Africa relations Equi'Vision Follow us on Linkedin SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada


Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
What consumers can expect from import taxes as the US sets new tariff rates
American businesses and consumers woke up Friday to find the contours of President Donald Trump's foreign trade agenda taking shape but without much more clarity on how import taxes on goods from dozens of countries would affect them. Late Thursday, Trump ordered new tariff rates for 66 countries, the European Union, Taiwan and the Falkland Islands. Among them: a 40% tariff on imports from Laos, a 39% tariff on goods from Switzerland and a 30% tariff on South African products. Other trade partners, such as Cambodia, had the tax rates on their exports to the U.S. reduced from levels the president had threatened to impose. Trump postponed the start date for all of the tariffs from Friday until Aug. 7. Wendong Zhang, an associate professor in the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell University, said U.S. consumers may be feeling some relief with the tariff rates announced, since many were lower than Trump initially threatened. Indonesia's rate was 19%, for example, down from the 32% Trump announced last spring. But tariffs are a tax, and U.S. consumers are likely to foot at least part of that bill. 'Prices are still going up, they just won't go up as much as in the worst-case scenario,' Zhang said. Companies are dealing with tariffs in various ways. Many automakers appear to be swallowing tariff costs for now. But the world's largest eyewear maker, EssilorLuxottica, said it raised U.S. prices due to tariffs. The maker of Ray-Bans grinds lenses and sunglasses in Mexico, Thailand and China and exports premium frames from Italy. Here's what we know about the tariffs and what their impact will be on U.S. consumers: How we got here President Donald Trump unveiled sweeping import taxes on goods coming into the U.S. from nearly every country in April. He said the tariffs were meant to boost domestic manufacturing and restore fairness to global trade. A week later, Trump announced a 90-day pause on the tariffs but did leave in place a 10% tax on most imports. In early July, Trump began sending letters to dozens of countries saying higher tariffs would go into effect Aug. 1 unless they reached trade deals. The administration announced new rates for dozens of countries on Thursday but delayed their implementation until Aug. 7. In the meantime, Trump announced a 35% tariff on imports from Canada would take effect Friday. But Trump delayed action on Mexico and China while negotiations continue. Other duties not specific to countries also remained in place Friday, like a 50% tariff on imported aluminum and steel announced in June. What tariffs are in place already The Trump administration has reached deals with the European Union, Japan and South Korea that put 15% tariffs in place. A deal with the Philippines puts 19% tariffs in place while a deal with Vietnam imposes a 20% levy. On Wednesday, Trump announced a 25% tariff on goods from India and a 50% tariff on goods from Brazil. Tariffs are already impacting prices The U.S. Commerce Department said Thursday that prices rose 2.6% in June, up from an annual pace of 2.4% in May and higher than the Federal Reserve's goal of 2%. Many goods that are heavily imported saw price increases, including furniture, appliances and computers. Zhang, the Cornell economist, said U.S. consumers could see higher prices in the coming months for appliances and other products that contain a large amount of steel and aluminum. Toys, kitchenware, electronics and home goods could also see price spikes. But Zhang said a 15% tariff doesn't mean prices will immediately rise by 15%. Companies were aware of the tariff deadlines and have been trying to stockpile goods and take other measures to mitigate the impacts. Some Americans will see benefits Zhang noted that Trump's trade deals often contain specific provisions designed to boost U.S. exports. The agreement with the European Union, for example, calls for European companies to purchase $750 billion worth of natural gas, oil and nuclear fuel from the U.S. over three years. Zhang said semiconductor firms and military contractors could also see bumps in trade. Some U.S. farmers could also see a potential upside, Zhang said. As part of its trade deal, Vietnam agreed to purchase $2 billion in U.S. agricultural products over three years, including corn, wheat and soybeans, according to the International Trade Council. But Zhang cautioned that agricultural agreements tend to be short-lived. Over the longer term, the uncertainty over tariffs could cause countries like China to back away from U.S. agricultural markets and look for other partners, Zhang said. Food and drink prices will climb The tariffs will almost certainly result in higher food prices, according to an analysis released this week by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation. The U.S. simply doesn't make enough of some products, like bananas or coffee, to satisfy demand. Fish, beer and liquor are also likely to see price hikes, the foundation said. Conagra Brands, the maker of Hunt's canned tomatoes, Reddi-wip and other brands, said in July that tariffs – particularly the 50% tax on imported aluminum and steel — will add $200 million annually to its costs. The company said it's shifting some of its suppliers but also expects to raise prices. Ben Aneff, managing partner at Tribeca Wine Merchants and president of the U.S. Wine Trade Alliance, said that beginning Friday shoppers will see prices rise 20% to 25% at his store and others because of tariffs and the declining value of the dollar. 'Nobody can afford to eat the tariff. It gets passed on,' Aneff said. Aneff said shoppers haven't felt the impact from higher duties until now because distributors and retailers accelerated shipments from France and other European countries earlier in the year. But with the tariff rate bumping to 15%, Aneff expects European wine prices to jump 30% in September. Clothing and shoe prices are already creeping up Ninety-seven percent of clothing and shoes sold in the U.S. are imported, primarily from Asia, according to the American Apparel & Footwear Association said. China leads the pack, but companies have been shifting more of their sourcing to Vietnam, Indonesia and India. And prices are already on the rise. Steve Lamar, president and CEO of of the trade group, declined to estimate price increases because he said the situation continues to be in flux. He also said shoppers will see higher costs from tariffs play out in other ways starting this fall. Companies may drop products because they're too expensive or reduce promotions, he said. Matt Priest, president and CEO of the Footwear Distributors and Retailers of America, estimates prices for shoes are starting to go up for the back-to-school shopping season. He estimates price increases in the 5% to 10% range. Lululemon said in June that price increases will be modest and apply to a small portion of its assortment, while Ralph Lauren said it would be hiking prices for this fall and next spring to offset tariffs. Bjorn Gulden, CEO of Germany-based Athletic wear giant Adidas, told investors Wednesday that the company is reviewing different price increases for products for the U.S. but no decision has been made. 'Tariffs (are) nothing else than a cost,' he said. 'And regardless of what people are saying, you can't just throw a cost away. It's there.' Car prices hold steady — so far Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. Some automakers have already raised prices to counteract tariffs. Luxury sports car maker Ferrari said Thursday it was waiting for more details of Trump's trade deal with the European Union before scaling back a 10% surcharge it put in place in April on most vehicles in the U.S. But for the most part, automakers haven't been raising prices as they wait for details of the trade deals. Kelley Blue Book, which monitors car pricing, said the average U.S. new car cost $48,907 in June, which was up just $108 from May. But that could change. General Motors said last week that the impact of the tariffs could get more pronounced in the third quarter of this year. GM has estimated that the tariffs will cost it $4 billion to $5 billion this year. ___ AP Business Writer Colleen Barry reported from Milan.


Toronto Sun
4 days ago
- Toronto Sun
LILLEY: Harper calls Putin an evil 'Bond villain' — and he's right
Harper says that Russia would have been better off if Putin wasn't so evil. Canada's former PM is 100% correct. Get the latest from Brian Lilley straight to your inbox This image taken Sept. 15, 2013 shows Russian President Vladmir Putin welcoming then-prime minister Stephen Harper at the start of a G20 summit in Saint Petersburg, Russia.. (AFP photo,) Stephen Harper once famously quipped to George W. Bush, that he was lucky Vladimir Putin had only shown Bush his dog. The American president relayed in his memoir that Putin had been unimpressed with Bush's Scottish terrier named Barney and asked if he could introduce Bush to his own dogs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'As we walked the birch-lined grounds of his dacha, a big black Labrador came charging across the lawn. With a twinkle in his eye, Vladimir said, 'Bigger, stronger, and faster than Barney,'' Bush wrote in his memoir. 'You're lucky he only showed you his dog,' Stephen Harper told Bush, according to the book. It's the kind of dry humour that Harper is known for, among those who know him. His comments also speak to his view of Putin, which was on display again this week as Harper referred to the Russian leader as 'evil' and described him a 'Bond villain.' Speaking at a gathering of Canadian and American politicians in Saskatoon, Harper said that of all the people he has met, more people ask about Putin than anyone else. 'I get asked more about Vladimir Putin, meeting Vladimir Putin than any single person,' Harper said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Harper's host pointed out that as PM, he personally called out Putin in 2014 after his invasion of Crimea. 'Yeah, and I don't accept a drink from him or anything like that,' Harper said laughing, knowing that the Russian leader is famous for finding ways to kill those who have spoken out against him. In 2014, at the G20 Summit in Australia, Harper was blunt with Putin who had recently sent Russian troops into Crimea, taking over a large part of Ukraine. 'I guess I'll shake your hand but I have only one thing to say to you: You need to get out of Ukraine,' Harper said. The interaction framed their relationship going forward. Then-U.S. president George W. Bush carries his dog, Barney, as he steps from Air Force One on Dec. 26, 2005 in Waco, Texas. (Manel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images) 'I publicly called him out, but privately, at the end, I was calling him out on this stuff all the time, and getting under his skin, actually, which I enjoyed,' Harper said on Monday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. He described the Russian leader as gifted and intelligent but misguided. 'He's in many ways, a very impressive individual. Vladimir Putin is very smart,' Harper said. 'He is very smart. He is very hard working. He's extremely disciplined. You know, he would come into any meeting I ever saw, just fantastically well briefed.' Recommended video He also described someone who, based on his past as a KGB agent, could immediately size someone up and then use their weaknesses against them. 'So, he has a lot of great attributes, and the problem is, though, this is a big problem, he's an evil man,' Harper said. 'He took a fledgling democracy and turned it back into a tyranny. He is creating no institutions, no long-term plan for Russia. He will leave the country poorer and in chaos when he goes and I think this is a real tragedy for Russia.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Harper said in the end that if Putin had better angels, it would have been better for Russia and the Russian people. 'It's a tragedy that somebody with his ability just wasn't imbued with any sense of ideals or higher purpose,' Harper said. Under former prime minister Brian Mulroney, Canada played a big role in moving Russia towards democracy after the fall of the Iron Curtain and the Berlin Wall. There was a hope that Russia would move not only towards democracy, but towards the West. For many years they did, and then Putin took power. Harper was among the first to recognize the problem and to call him out. Sadly, Putin still has supporters in the West who believe this dictator, this autocrat, is just misunderstood. More than a decade ago, Harper understood who Putin was and called him out. I'll stand with Harper over Putin any day of the week, and all Canadians should feel the same. MLB Canada Canada Toronto Blue Jays Celebrity