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Straits Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Straits Times
Kazakhstan's leader tells Trump that he hopes for compromise on new U.S. tariffs
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox ALMATY - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev told U.S. President Donald Trump in a letter that he was ready for constructive dialogue on trade issues after Trump slapped fresh 25% reciprocal tariffs on the Central Asian country. Trump launched a new global trade war this week, imposing higher tariff rates on a slew of countries as he continues his "America First" policies. Beginning August 1, goods exported from Kazakhstan to the United States will face a 25% reciprocal tariff. Most of the oil-rich country's exports will continue to be supplied without the new duties. Its key exports - oil, uranium, silver, ferroalloys, tantalum and titanium - are exempted from tariffs, according to the Kazakh trade ministry. Tokayev said in a letter to Trump that the country was ready to continue dialogue with the White House to reach a rational solution to trade issues. "Tokayev expressed confidence in reaching a compromise on the trade issue," the presidential press service said in a statement. The trade turnover between Kazakhstan and the U.S. in 2024 amounted to $4.2 billion, which is 4% higher than in 2023. Kazakhstan's main export commodity to the U.S. is crude oil, which accounts for 56.2% of total supplies, uranium - 16.4%, silver - 12.2%, ferroalloys - 9.5%, tantalum and products made from it - 0.89%. REUTERS Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business S'pore to launch new grant for companies, expand support for workers amid US tariff uncertainties World Trump's ambassador nominee to Singapore Anjani Sinha has a rough day at Senate hearing Singapore Proposed new law protecting Singaporeans' genetic data to be strengthened: Ong Ye Kung Asia Dr Mahathir at 100: Still haunted by the Malay Dilemma Singapore What's next for PSP following its post-GE leadership shake-up? Singapore NDP 2025: Diamond formations, 'multi-axis' fly-past to headline parade's aerial display Multimedia 60 objects to mark SG60: Which is your favourite? Singapore HDB flats less attainable in 2024 compared with 2022: Report
Straits Times
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Kazakhstan bans face coverings in public places
FILE PHOTO: Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev attends a plenary session of the Eurasian Economic Forum in Minsk, Belarus June 26, 2025. Sputnik/Sergey Bobylev/Pool via REUTERS/ File Photo ALMATY - Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev signed a law on Monday prohibiting individuals from wearing clothing in public places that covers their faces, joining a trend in several Central Asian countries to restrict forms of Islamic dress. The text of the law says clothing that "interferes with facial recognition" will be banned in public, with exemptions for medical purposes, in adverse weather conditions and at sporting and cultural events. The legislation, one in a series of wider amendments signed into law on Monday, does not explicitly mention religion or types of religious dress. Tokayev has previously praised the legislation as an opportunity to celebrate ethnic identity in Kazakhstan, a majority-Muslim country and former Soviet republic. "Rather than wearing face-concealing black robes, it's much better to wear clothes in the national style," he was quoted by Kazakh media as saying earlier this year. "Our national clothes vividly emphasise our ethnic identity, so we need to popularise them comprehensively." Other Central Asian countries have introduced similar laws in recent years. Police in Kyrgyzstan have conducted street patrols to enforce their ban on the Islamic niqab face veil, according to local media reports. In Uzbekistan, violating the niqab statute carries a fine of over $250. Tajik President Emomali Rakhmon signed a ban on wearing clothing in public that is "alien to national culture." REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
