
Trump says US will start talks with China on TikTok deal this week
He said the United States 'pretty much' has a deal on the sale of the TikTok short-video app.
'I think we're gonna start Monday or Tuesday...talking to China, perhaps President Xi or one of his representatives, but we would we pretty much have a deal,' Trump told reporters on Air Force One.
Last month, Trump extended to September 17 a deadline for China-based ByteDance to divest the U.S. assets of TikTok.
A deal had been in the works this spring to spin off TikTok's U.S. operations into a new U.S.-based firm, majority-owned and operated by U.S. investors, but it was put on hold after China indicated it would not approve it following Trump's announcements of steep tariffs on Chinese goods.
Trump said the United States will probably have to get a deal approved by China.
When asked how confident he was that China would agree to a deal, he said, 'I'm not confident, but I think so. President Xi and I have a great relationship, and I think it's good for them. I think the deal is good for China and it's good for us.' - REUTERSPIX
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The Star
33 minutes ago
- The Star
M'sia to prioritise neutrality, strategic hedging at Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting
KUALA LUMPUR: The 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) and related meetings are set to convene here next week, with maritime disputes, economic headwinds including impending US tariffs, and shifting global dynamics expected to dominate the agenda. Against this complex global geopolitical backdrop and intensifying US-China rivalry in the South China Sea, Malaysia, as chair, is expected to adopt a neutral yet proactive stance in leading the regional bloc to foster constructive engagement with its external partners for peace and stability across the Indo-Pacific. ALSO READ: Road closures in stages for 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, says Bukit Aman International relations and defence expert Dr Nor Aishah Hanifa said Malaysia's leadership in Asean would prioritise peace, stability, and the rule of law in navigating major power competition in the Indo-Pacific. "The 46th Asean Summit reaffirmed the region's commitment to a peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea. "All leaders emphasised maximum restraint and the importance of upholding the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC)," the Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM) senior lecturer told Bernama. ALSO READ: Over 5,000 police personnel on duty for Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting from July 8 to 11 Nor Aishah said Malaysia, as Asean Chair, would maintain good relations with both the United States and China, its key trading partners, while pursuing a hedging strategy to safeguard sovereignty and mitigate risks associated with geopolitical uncertainty. She said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's active foreign engagements reflect Malaysia's broader strategy to diversify economic ties and reduce reliance on any single major power. "Malaysia is a middle power. Hedging allows us to balance both sides and pursue our national interests without aligning too closely with either major power," she said, adding that such a strategy remains vital in today's volatile international system. She said that amid ongoing maritime tensions, Malaysia would continue diplomatic engagement with China and advocate for the speedy implementation of a legally binding Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea. ALSO READ: How Asean can thrive through innovation and collaboration "Malaysia's tone will remain diplomatic, aiming to avoid escalation," she said. On the potential outcome of the 58th AMM, she said Malaysia and fellow Asean members were in a unique position to persuade China towards a more concrete COC, especially as economic headwinds prompt Beijing to deepen trade ties with the region. "China's economic situation, coupled with the need for stable trade channels, presents an opportunity for Asean to gain traction on the COC. The regional structure right now offers a window for diplomacy," she said. In terms of broader engagements with Dialogue Partners, including the US, China, the United Kingdom (UK), and the European Union (EU), Nor Aishah noted that economic cooperation remains the cornerstone of Asean's external relations, though the focus may vary by partner. "The UK, for instance, is seeking to expand its free trade footprint in the region and has programmes like the Asean-UK Economic Integration Programme and STEM scholarships. With the EU, there's potential to advance a region-to-region FTA (free trade agreement)," she said. ALSO READ: Indonesian FM to attend Asean meetings in Kuala Lumpur Meanwhile, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Human Ecology Faculty senior lecturer Dr Fairuzzaman Shaharuddin also highlighted that security and economic issues are expected to dominate discussions at the 58th AMM, with Malaysia likely to emphasise strategic autonomy while strengthening cooperation in areas such as supply chains, sustainability, and regional security frameworks. Fairuzzaman said Asean's engagement with countries such as the US, China, UK, and EU will be "multi-dimensional" that reflect the shifting dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and global economy. He said the US and China are expected to compete for influence, particularly in the South China Sea, while the UK and EU will likely promote trade, a rules-based international order, and sustainable development goals. "With growing geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, for instance, the Iran-Israel conflict and Trump's 'reciprocal tariffs', Asean is likely to discuss supply chain resilience, the green transition, the digital economy and regional security frameworks. "Despite many interests, I believe maintaining strategic autonomy while deepening functional cooperation will be key for Asean to achieve centrality, (in line with) Malaysia's vision in Asean Vision 2045," he told Bernama. Addressing broader regional tensions, Fairuzzaman said Malaysia's longstanding military cooperation with the US and deep economic ties with China have drawn increasing interest from scholars and analysts, who view this approach as a form of 'strategic hedging', aimed at managing risks between the competing superpowers. This strategy, he said, aligns with Malaysia's non-aligned foreign policy, which prioritises economic cooperation, regional stability, and defence diplomacy to navigate shifting geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Malaysia will host the 58th AMM and related meetings from July 8 to 11, with a total of 24 meetings at the Asean Foreign Ministers' level to be convened, including a series of meetings with Asean Dialogue Partners and Sectoral Dialogue Partners. More than 35 foreign ministers and representatives from various international bodies are expected to attend the meetings. - Bernama


The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Hamas says ready to start Gaza ceasefire talks 'immediately'
GAZA CITY: Israel was mulling its response on Saturday after Hamas said it was ready to start talks 'immediately' on a US-sponsored proposal for a Gaza ceasefire. The security cabinet was expected to meet after the end of the Jewish sabbath at sundown to discuss Israel's next steps as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to leave for Washington for talks on Monday with US President Donald Trump. Trump has been making a renewed push for an end to nearly 21 months of war in Gaza, where the civil defence agency said 32 people were killed in Israeli military operations on Saturday. 'No decision has been made yet on that issue,' an Israeli government official told AFP when asked about Hamas's positive response to the latest ceasefire proposal. Hamas made its announcement late Friday after holding consultations with other Palestinian factions. 'The movement is ready to engage immediately and seriously in a cycle of negotiations on the mechanism to put in place' the terms of the US-backed truce proposal, the militant group said in a statement. Hamas ally Islamic Jihad said it supported ceasefire talks, but demanded 'guarantees' that Israel 'will not resume its aggression' once hostages held in Gaza are freed. Trump, when asked about Hamas's response aboard Air Force One, said: 'That's good. They haven't briefed me on it. We have to get it over with. We have to do something about Gaza.' The war in Gaza began with Hamas's October 2023 attack, which sparked a massive Israeli offensive aimed at destroying Hamas and bringing home all the hostages seized by Palestinian militants. Two previous ceasefires mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States have seen temporary halts in fighting, coupled with the return of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. 60-day truce proposal Efforts to broker a new truce have repeatedly failed, with the primary point of contention being Israel's rejection of Hamas's demand for guarantees that any new ceasefire will be lasting. A Palestinian source familiar with the negotiations told AFP earlier this week that the latest proposal included 'a 60-day truce, during which Hamas would release half of the living Israeli captives in the Gaza Strip' -- thought to number 22 -- 'in exchange for Israel releasing a number of Palestinian prisoners and detainees'. Out of 251 hostages seized by Palestinian militants during the October 2023 attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Nearly 21 months of war have created dire humanitarian conditions for the more than two million people in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has recently expanded its military operations. A US- and Israel-backed group, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, took the lead in food distributions in the territory in late May when Israel eased a more than two month blockade on aid deliveries. The group said two of its US staff were wounded in an 'attack' on one of its aid centres in southern Gaza on Saturday. 'This morning, two American aid workers were injured in a targeted terrorist attack during food distribution activities at SDS-3 in Khan Yunis,' the organisation said, adding that reports indicated it was carried out by 'two assailants who threw two grenades at the Americans'. UN agencies and major aid groups have refused to cooperate with the GHF over concerns it was designed to cater to Israeli military objectives. Its operations have been marred by chaotic scenes and near-daily reports of Israeli fire on people waiting to collect rations. UN human rights office spokeswoman Ravina Shamdasani said Friday that more than 500 people have been killed waiting to access food from GHF distribution points. GHF's chairman Johnnie Moore, a Christian evangelical leader allied to Trump, on Wednesday rejected calls for the lead role in Gaza aid distributions to revert to UN agencies. 'We will not be shut down. We have one job to do. It's very simple, every day to provide free food to the people of Gaza,' he told reporters. Civil defence says schools hit Civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal said Israeli military operations killed 32 people across the war-battered territory on Saturday. Media restrictions in Gaza and difficulties in accessing many areas mean AFP is unable to independently verify the tolls and details provided by the civil defence agency. Bassal said Saturday's dead included eight people killed in two strikes on schools in Gaza City. Contacted by AFP, the Israeli military said it could not comment on specific strikes without precise coordinates. The Hamas attack of October 2023 resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli official figures. Israel's retaliatory campaign has killed at least 57,268 people in Gaza, also mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory's health ministry. The United Nations considers the figures reliable.


Malay Mail
an hour ago
- Malay Mail
China's first Legoland opens to tourists in Shanghai
SHANGHAI, July 5 — Thousands of local tourists poured into China's first-ever Legoland as it opened its gates in Shanghai today, the latest theme park hoping to capitalise on a domestic tourism boom. The Chinese branch of the British-owned theme park franchise is the biggest Legoland in the world. It drew in early customers who flocked to attractions including a miniature train ride and a dragon-themed rollercoaster. 'I personally love to play with Lego blocks and we have many sets at home... so I wanted to come to Legoland at the earliest opportunity,' said Shi, a 35-year-old resident of nearby city Hangzhou, who was visiting the park with his wife and child. Despite the Chinese economy's sluggish growth in recent years, domestic tourist spending grew 18.6 percent in the first quarter of this year compared to the previous year, according to statistics. 'Ever since the pandemic, I've made very few trips abroad,' said Shi, adding his family now travels to theme parks around China 'many times a year'. Eager Lego fans rushed into the park as soon as it opened, wearing themed shirts and waving branded flags as they enjoyed the 318,000-square-metre compound in scorching temperatures. Beijing has announced subsidies intended to make travelling within the country more affordable for Chinese citizens, and is pushing local governments to heavily market their attractions on social media. Companies have taken note of the wider local tourism boom and stepped up their plans in China. A new Spider-Man attraction at Shanghai Disneyland broke ground in May, while Warner Brothers is set to open a Harry Potter experience in Shanghai by 2027. Toy giant Hasbro said this week its giant Peppa Pig park in the city was now 'in the phase of creative design'. Chinese collectable toy maker Pop Mart has also opened an attraction in Beijing featuring life-sized versions of its popular Labubu toys. 'The various provinces are putting a lot of effort into expanding their tourism industries, and all of them have special attractions,' said Xu, a 34-year-old parent visiting Legoland on Saturday with his children. But profitability remains a problem, especially for local companies with less brand recognition. As of late 2024, around 40 percent of parks were still failing to turn a profit, according to state media reports. Yet analysts point to a growing population of retirees and job market changes as key factors pushing more locals to visit domestic attractions. 'The labour market is turning more flexible,' said Ernan Cui, China consumer analyst at Gavekal Research. 'More people have leisure time to travel around.' — AFP