Singapore companies bracing for more uncertainty amid Trump's tariff letters
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CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Trump says 'no extensions' to Aug 1 tariff deadline
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (Jul 8) that he would not extend an Aug 1 deadline for higher US tariffs to take effect on dozens of economies, a day after he appeared to signal flexibility on the date. While Trump imposed a sweeping 10 per cent tariff on goods from almost all trading partners in April, higher rates customised to dozens of economies were unveiled, then halted until Jul 9. But the president this week again delayed their reimposition, pushing it back to Aug 1. Trump insisted that there would be no further delay in the tariffs. "There will be no change," he posted on Truth Social. He added that levies would start being paid on Aug 1, in line with letters now being sent out to trading partners. "No extensions will be granted," Trump said. On Monday night, Trump had told reporters at a dinner that the Aug 1 deadline was "firm, but not 100 per cent firm." Pressed on whether the letters were his final offer, Trump replied: "I would say final - but if they call with a different offer, and I like it, then we'll do it." In a push for further trade deals, Trump sent letters to more than a dozen partners on Monday, including key US allies Japan and South Korea. Products from both countries would be hit with 25 per cent duties, Trump wrote in near-identical letters to leaders in Tokyo and Seoul. Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Africa and Malaysia were among other countries facing duties ranging from 25 per cent to 40 per cent. In his messages to foreign leaders, Trump warned of further escalation if there was retaliation against his levies. Most countries receiving the letters so far saw US tariffs at similar or unchanged rates from those threatened in April, although some like Laos and Cambodia saw notably lower levels. The Trump administration is under pressure to show results after promising a flurry of deals following the US president's tariff threats. So far Washington has only struck two pacts, with Britain and Vietnam, besides an agreement to dial back staggeringly high tit-for-tat levies with China. In threatening tariff hikes on various economies, Trump cited in his letters a lack of reciprocity in trading ties. He also warned that goods transshipped to avoid higher duties would be subjected to steeper levels. But he added that if countries were willing to adjust their trade policies, Washington "will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter".
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
X says Indian government ordered it to block Reuters News accounts in India
NEW DELHI :India's government last week directly ordered X to block more than 2,000 accounts, including two belonging to Reuters News, the social media platform said on Tuesday in a sharp public attack on "ongoing press censorship" in India. Two Reuters News accounts - @Reuters and @ReutersWorld - were suspended for India users late on Saturday, and displayed a message saying they had been "withheld in IN (India) in response to a legal demand". The Reuters accounts were restored on Sunday night but the status of the others was unclear. X's statement contradicts comments by a spokesperson for India's Press Information Bureau at the weekend who said no government agency had required the withholding of Reuters handles. "On July 3, 2025, the Indian government ordered X to block 2,355 accounts in India, including international news outlets like @Reuters and @ReutersWorld, under Section 69A of the IT Act. Non-compliance risked criminal liability," X said in its post. "We are deeply concerned about ongoing press censorship in India due to these blocking orders. X is exploring all legal options available," it added. Reuters could not determine what specific content the blocking demand referred to and why its removal was sought. Section 69A of India's IT law allows the government to block public access to content "in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, defence of India, security of the state". Orders issued under the section are confidential in nature. In a statement, India's IT ministry said the government had "not issued any fresh blocking order" on July 3. It did not say if an order was issued before that date. The government did not intend to block any prominent international news channel, including Reuters, and had written to X over the weekend to unblock the news agency's accounts, the ministry said. "X has unnecessarily exploited technicalities involved around the process and didn't unblock the URLs," it added. The social media platform in its statement said the Indian government had asked it to restore access to @Reuters and @ReutersWorld after a "public outcry." A Reuters spokesperson at the weekend said the news agency was working with X to get its accounts reinstated in India as soon as possible. On Tuesday, she said the agency had no further comment. The main Reuters account has more than 25 million followers globally, while Reuters World has 718,000. X has long been at odds with India's government over content-removal requests. In March, the company sued the federal government over a new government website the company says expands takedown powers to "countless" government officials. The case is continuing.
CNA
6 hours ago
- CNA
New Singtel headquarters to have 20,000sqm of retail and lifestyle space
Singtel's new Comcentre headquarters is expected to add 20,000 square metres of lifestyle and retail space to the Orchard Road precinct. Set to be completed in 2028, the building will include eateries, the biggest urban park in Singapore and even a pet-friendly space.
