New peace plan increases pressure on Israel and US as momentum grows for Palestinian statehood
The plan emerged from a 'high-level conference' in New York on July 29, which assembled representatives of 17 states, the European Union and the Arab League. The resulting proposal is 'a comprehensive and actionable framework for the implementation of the two-state solution and the achievement of peace and security for all.'
Signatories include Turkey and the Middle Eastern states of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Jordan. Europe was represented by France, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain and the UK. Indonesia was there for Asia, Senegal for Africa, and Brazil, Canada and Mexico for the Americas. Neither the US nor Israel were present.
Significantly, it is the first time the Arab states have called for Hamas to disarm and disband. But, while condemning Hamas's attack on Israel of October 7, 2023, and recalling that the taking of hostages is a violation of international law, the document is unsparing in its connection between a state of Palestine and an end to Israel's assault on Gaza's civilians.
It says: 'Absent decisive measures toward the two-state solution and robust international guarantees, the conflict will deepen and regional peace will remain elusive.'
A plan for the reconstruction of Gaza will be developed by the Arab states and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation – a Jeddah-based group which aims to be the collective voice of the Muslim world – supported by an international fund. The details will be hammered out at a Gaza Reconstruction and Recovery Conference, to be held in Cairo.
It is a bold initiative. In theory, it could end the Israeli mass killing in Gaza, remove Hamas from power and begin the implementation of a process for a state of Palestine. The question is whether it has any chance of success.
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Mint
31 minutes ago
- Mint
Centre scrambles to revamp export plan as US tariffs hit Indian goods, favour ASEAN rivals
New Delhi: Faced with steep tariffs imposed by the US government, the Centre is huddling with export promotion councils and manufacturers to find a way to rework the country's exports strategy, two government officials aware of the development said. The development comes on the back of a deadlock in bilateral trade agreement (BTA) negotiations between India and the US, which the two countries have been grappling with since June, as reported by Mint on 11 June. The new plan involves diversifying into markets such as the UK, with which India recently signed a free trade agreement (FTA), and the European Union (EU), where negotiations are in the final stage and a deal could be signed before the end of the year, the officials cited above said on the condition of anonymity. India's plan would also focus on sector-specific challenges and policy measures to support exports, including exploring new markets with the help of Indian missions overseas, the officials said. The government sees strong export potential in regions like Saudi Arabia, France, Vietnam, the Netherlands, Mexico, and Ethiopia, among other countries. The review will additionally focus on India's growing competitiveness gap with Bangladesh and with ASEAN countries such as Vietnam and Indonesia, which have received significant tariff relief under the latest US executive order. While India faces a 25% duty — just 1 percentage point down from 26% in the 2 April notification — Vietnam's tariffs have been reduced from 46% to 20%, Indonesia's from 32% to 19%, and Bangladesh's from 37% to 20%, giving these exporters a clear edge in the US market. 'Sectoral discussions will have special attention to cases like Vietnam, which imports Indian shrimp, processes it, and re-exports it to the US under a more favourable tariff, and Indonesia, which enjoys a lower duty on electronics exports," one of the officials said. 'Bangladesh, a major garments exporter, now benefits from a lower 20% rate compared to the 25% levied on Indian textiles." The meetings will also examine the implications of the new US rules on transshipment, which impose a 40% punitive duty on goods rerouted to evade tariffs, this person said. Queries sent to the commerce ministry, which is spearheading the consultations with industry, remained unanswered till press time. The tariffs explained On Thursday, the US imposed a 25% tariff on the value of all goods shipped from India that will come into effect on 7 August. To be sure, Indian goods will also attract existing MFN (most-favoured nation) duties, which average 3% but differ across sectors. Goods that are already on their way to the US and will reach ports there before 5 October will have to pay 10% duty. Further, certain sectors are exempted from the new 25% tariff, but they still have to pay the MFN duty. 'As of now, exports worth around $30 billion — comprising sectors like petrochemicals ($4 billion), pharmaceuticals ($15 billion), and electronic goods ($11 billion) — would not be impacted, as these are exempt from the additional duty," said the first among the two officials mentioned above. The first official added that sectors that are of concern are textiles (exports worth $10.91 billion), engineering goods ($19.16 billion), agriculture ($2.53 billion), gems and jewellery ($9.94 billion), leather ($948.47 million), marine products ($2.68 billion), and plastics ($1.92 billion). Notably, India exported goods worth $86.5 billion to the US in FY25, which is 20% of the country's total merchandise exports of $433.56 billion in FY25. Industry reactions According to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a Delhi-based think tank, India's goods exports to the US may decline by 30% to $60.6 billion in FY2026. 'This order is more than just a tariff measure — it's a pressure tactic," said Ajay Srivastava, founder of GTRI, adding that the US is using access to its markets through tariffs as leverage to advance its geopolitical goals and extract one-sided trade concessions. 'Countries like China have retained exemptions on critical goods such as pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and energy. But India has been singled out for harsher treatment, with no product-level exemptions whatsoever," Srivastava added. Tariffs on China have not been revised under the latest order and will continue at 30%. Vipul Shah, former chairman of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC), said the government should consider incentivising exporters, especially those heavily dependent on the US market, as the new tariffs are a significant blow to sectors like gems and jewellery. 'Immediate support is crucial to help these industries navigate the shock," he said. However, Ashwani Mahajan of the Swadeshi Jagran Manch, which opposes a one-sided trade deal, said India should not be overly worried about higher US tariffs, as the country is not as export-dependent as China. 'Work is already underway to diversify and explore new markets," he said. Mithileshwar Thakur, secretary general of the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC), said the Indian apparel industry has an exposure of about 33% to the US market. He added that the FTA with the UK and ongoing FTA negotiations with the EU together can offer significant opportunities for the Indian apparel industry, and partly offset losses in US business. But, to tide over the current crisis, the government should offer incentive in the immediate term to the exporting community to stay afloat in the US market. 'It is unfortunate that India has been hit with the highest tariffs. This will definitely impact our competitiveness. We are in a wait-and-watch mode to see whether prices rise in the US market and if American buyers can absorb the increased costs or not," said Pankaj Chadha, chairman of Engineering Export Promotion Council (EEPC). Exploring newer markets For engineering goods, the government is focusing on expanding exports to new target markets such as Sao Tome, Macao, Georgia, Croatia, Guinea-Bissau, Belize, Azerbaijan, Myanmar, Lithuania, Norway, Somalia, and Greece. Currently, key export destinations for Indian engineering goods include the U.S., UAE, Saudi Arabia, Germany, and Italy. The Netherlands, South Korea, Belgium, Mexico, Japan, and Kuwait are also seen as promising markets. For pharmaceuticals, new destinations identified include Montenegro, South Sudan, Chad, Comoros, Brunei, Latvia, Ireland, Sweden, Haiti, and Ethiopia, while Greece is listed as a promising market. Traditional export markets for Indian drugs are— US, UK, Netherlands, South Africa, and Brazil. In electronics, the government has listed Sao Tome, Montenegro, Cayman Islands, St. Vincent, Mongolia, El Salvador, Turkmenistan, Honduras, Bahrain, Somalia, Puerto Rico, Vietnam, and Sweden as new export destinations. Russia, Mexico, and Turkey are marked as promising markets. For agricultural and processed food products, the focus will be on Nigeria, Switzerland, Lithuania, Slovenia, Mexico, Sweden, Portugal, Cameroon, Djibouti, Latvia, Egypt, Senegal, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil.
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First Post
31 minutes ago
- First Post
World economies reel as Trump delivers blow with new modified reciprocal tariff
Trump announced late Thursday that dozens of economies, including the European Union, will face new tariff rates of between 10 and 41 percent. read more Global markets reeled Friday after President Donald Trump's tariffs barrage against nearly all US trading partners as governments looked down the barrel of a seven-day deadline before higher duties take effect. Trump announced late Thursday that dozens of economies, including the European Union, will face new tariff rates of between 10 and 41 percent. However, implementation will be on August 7 rather than Friday as previously announced, the White House said. This gives governments a window to rush to strike deals with Washington setting more favorable conditions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Neighboring Canada, one of the biggest US trade partners, was hit with 35 percent levies, up from 25 percent, effective Friday – but with wide-ranging, current exemptions remaining in place. The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Trump sees putting US exporters in a stronger position, while encouraging domestic manufacturing by keeping out foreign imports. But the muscular approach has raised fears of inflation and other economic fallout in the world's biggest economy. Stock markets in Hong Kong, London and New York slumped as they digested the turmoil, while weak US employment data added to worries. Trump's actions come as debate rages over how best to steer the US economy, with the Federal Reserve this week deciding to keep interest rates unchanged, despite massive political pressure from the White House to cut. Data Friday showed US job growth missing expectations for July, while unemployment ticked up to 4.2 percent from 4.1 percent. On Wall Street, the S&P 500 dropped 1.6 percent, while the Nasdaq tumbled 2.2 percent. Political goals Trump raised duties on around 70 economies, from a current 10 percent level imposed in April when he unleashed 'reciprocal' tariffs citing unfair trade practices. The new, steeper levels listed in an executive order vary by trading partner. Any goods 'transshipped' through other jurisdictions to avoid US duties would be hit with an additional 40 percent tariff, the order said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But Trump's duties also have a distinctly political flavor, with the president using separate tariffs to pressure Brazil to drop the trial of his far-right ally, former president Jair Bolsonaro. He also warned of trade consequences for Canada, which faces a different set of duties, after Prime Minister Mark Carney announced plans to recognize a Palestinian state at the UN General Assembly in September. In targeting Canada, the White House cited its failure to 'cooperate in curbing the ongoing flood of fentanyl and other illicit drugs' – although Canada is not a major source of illegal narcotics. By contrast, Trump gave more time to Mexico, delaying for 90 days a threat to increase its tariffs from 25 percent to 30 percent. But exemptions remain for a wide range of Canadian and Mexican goods entering the United States under an existing North American trade pact. Carney said his government was 'disappointed' with the latest rates hike but noted that with exclusions the US average tariff on Canadian goods remains one of the lowest among US trading partners. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Tears up' rule book With questions hanging over the effectiveness of bilateral trade deals struck – including with the EU and Japan – the outcome of Trump's overall plan remains uncertain. 'No doubt about it – the executive order and related agreements concluded over the past few months tears up the trade rule book that has governed international trade since World War II,' said Wendy Cutler, senior vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute. On Friday, Trump said he would consider distributing a tariff 'dividend' to Americans. Notably excluded from Friday's drama was China, which is in the midst of negotiations with the United States. Washington and Beijing at one point brought tit-for-tat tariffs to triple-digit levels, but have agreed to temporarily lower these duties and are working to extend their truce. Those who managed to strike deals with Washington to avert steeper threatened levies included Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, South Korea and the European Union. Among other tariff levels adjusted in Trump's latest order, Switzerland now faces a higher 39 percent duty.
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Protesters in Syria's Druze heartland demand govt forces withdraw
Hundreds gathered in Syria's Druze heartland on Friday to demand the withdrawal of government forces after deadly sectarian violence last month and the opening of an aid corridor from neighbouring Jordan. Sweida province has seen tough humanitarian conditions since week-long clashes killed around 1,400 people last month, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The United Nations says more than 175,000 displaced people have yet to return to their homes. The violence initially pitted Druze fighters against local Sunni Bedouin tribes but rapidly escalated, drawing in Syrian government forces as well as Israel, which bombed them. The Islamist-led interim government said its forces intervened to stop the clashes, but witnesses, Druze factions and the Observatory accused them of siding with the Bedouin and of committing abuses including summary executions. Dozens of protesters, including women and children, gathered in a main square in Sweida, holding placards calling for the opening of a humanitarian corridor from Jordan, an AFP photographer said. Similar protests were held in other Druze towns, according to the Observatory, a Britain-based monitoring group. The government has deployed forces to several parts of Sweida province but not to the provincial capital. Residents accuse them of imposing a blockade, a claim the government has denied, instead blaming "outlaw groups", in reference to Druze fighters. Activist Rawan Abu Assaf said protesters' demands included "lifting the blockade imposed on Sweida province and the withdrawal of government forces from all its villages". The Observatory said the main Damascus-Sweida highway was still cut and accused armed groups linked to the government of blocking the resumption of normal trade. The monitor said the province was under de facto blockade despite the entry of several aid convoys. Interior ministry spokesman Noureddine al-Baba said the convoys gave the lie to Druze claims of a blockade. But the Observatory said the government was just keeping up appearances for the international community. UN humanitarian coordinator Adam Abdelmoula said on Thursday that the United Nations and its partners had sent a new convoy to Sweida province, with 40 trucks carrying "a broad range of life-saving assistance" including food, water and medical supplies. He called it "a significant step toward expanding access and scaling up the humanitarian response in affected areas of southern Syria".
