Latest news with #US State Department
NHK
2 hours ago
- Business
- NHK
US, Philippines reach trade deal with 19% tariff on Philippine exports
The United States and the Philippines reached a trade deal after their leaders met in Washington on Tuesday. It includes major concessions by Manila. US President Donald Trump shared details of the agreement on social media. He said the Philippines will open its market to the US and impose no tariffs. Meanwhile, there will be a 19 percent tariff on Philippine exports to America. Trump also said they will work together militarily. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told reporters he had to make concessions. These include scrapping tariffs on US automobiles and increasing imports of soy, wheat and pharmaceutical products from the country. President Marcos said they tried very hard to see what they could do. He added, "That's part of the new regime that we will be following in terms of trade with the United States." But Marcos also emphasized that he managed to confirm cooperation on security with Washington. The Philippines has been locked in a territorial dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea. "Our strongest, closest, most reliable ally has always been the United States," he said during the meeting. The US State Department later announced at least 60 million dollars in foreign assistance funding to support energy, maritime, and economic growth programs in the Philippines.
Russia Today
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
State Department accuses EU of ‘Orwellian censorship'
The EU's online content regulations are an affront to free speech, the US State Department has said in response to France's praise for the Digital Services Act (DSA). The State Department echoed earlier criticism from US Vice President J.D. Vance, who accused EU member states of attempting to quash dissenting voices and stigmatize popular right-wing parties such as Alternative for Germany (AfD). 'In Europe, thousands are being convicted for the crime of criticizing their own governments. This Orwellian message won't fool the United States. Censorship is not freedom,' the State Department wrote on X on Tuesday. 'All the DSA protects is European leaders from their own people.' Earlier this month, France's mission to the UN promoted the DSA on X, stating, 'In Europe, one is free to speak, not free to spread illegal content.'Passed in 2022, the DSA mandates that online platforms remove 'illegal and harmful' content and combat 'the spread of disinformation,' according to the European Commission. Critics in both the US and Europe have likened the regulations to the creation of a bloc-wide 'ministry of truth.' Earlier this year, prosecutors in Paris launched an investigation into Elon Musk's platform X, on suspicion that it was being used to meddle in French politics and spread hateful messages. The company dismissed the probe as 'politically motivated.' In 2024, French authorities detained Russian-born tech entrepreneur Pavel Durov on charges that he had allowed his Telegram messaging app to be used for criminal activities. Durov, who was later released on bail, denied any wrongdoing and accused France of waging 'a crusade' against free speech. He also claimed that French intelligence officials attempted to pressure him into censoring content during Romania's 2024 presidential election. France's foreign intelligence agency, the DGSE, confirmed that it had 'reminded' Durov of his responsibility to police content, but denied allegations of election interference.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
BlackRock imposes restriction on use of company devices for China travel, Bloomberg News reports
(Reuters) -BlackRock has asked its staff visiting China for business trips to use temporary loaner phones and avoid using company laptops, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing an internal memo. The world's largest asset manager told its staff that using company-issued employee devices, including iPhones and iPads, is not permitted, the report said. BlackRock also barred the use of company laptops or remote access via virtual private networks, the report said, adding that employees will not have access to the BlackRock network during personal travel in China. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. BlackRock did not respond to a request for comment. The report comes as firms witness China's growing hold over access during travel to the nation. On Monday, the U.S. State Department said that the Chinese government had blocked an unnamed U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee visiting the Asian country in a personal capacity from leaving. Earlier this month, a Wells Fargo banker was also blocked from leaving China. Beijing's foreign ministry said the banker was involved in a criminal case. Sign in to access your portfolio
Reuters
a day ago
- Business
- Reuters
BlackRock imposes restriction on use of company devices for China travel, Bloomberg News reports
July 22 (Reuters) - BlackRock (BLK.N), opens new tab has asked its staff visiting China for business trips to use temporary loaner phones and avoid using company laptops, Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday, citing an internal memo. The world's largest asset manager told its staff that using company-issued employee devices, including iPhones and iPads, is not permitted, the report said. BlackRock also barred the use of company laptops or remote access via virtual private networks, the report said, adding that employees will not have access to the BlackRock network during personal travel in China. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. BlackRock did not respond to a request for comment. The report comes as firms witness China's growing hold over access during travel to the nation. On Monday, the U.S. State Department said that the Chinese government had blocked an unnamed U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee visiting the Asian country in a personal capacity from leaving. Earlier this month, a Wells Fargo (WFC.N), opens new tab banker was also blocked from leaving China. Beijing's foreign ministry said the banker was involved in a criminal case.
The National
5 days ago
- Politics
- The National
US voices 'displeasure' at Israeli strikes on Syria
Washington has said it did not support Israel 's recent air strikes on Syria and had made clear its displeasure, as Syrian President Ahmad Al Shara accused Israel of trying to dismantle the country's unity. On Wednesday, Israel launched strikes on Damascus with attacks on the main military compounds in the city, while also hitting government forces in the southern city of Sweida, demanding they withdraw and saying that Israel aimed to protect Syria's Druze minority amid sectarian clashes. Syrian state news agency Sana reported late on Thursday that Israel had carried out another air strike on the vicinity of Sweida after Syrian government forces announced they would pull out. US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said the US condemned the violence and was actively engaging all constituencies there. It called on the Syrian government to lead the path forward. "Regarding Israel's intervention and activity ... the United States did not support recent Israeli strikes," she said. "We are engaging diplomatically with Israel and Syria at the highest levels, both to address the present crisis and reach a lasting agreement between the two sovereign states." Syrians have their say on deadly clashes and Israeli strikes Ms Bruce declined to say whether Washington supports Israel carrying out such military operations when it deems necessary. "I won't speak to future conversations or past ones. What we're dealing with now is this particular episode, what was required, and I think we've been very clear about our displeasure, certainly that the President has, and we've worked very quickly to have it stopped," she said. A four-day offensive in Sweida by elite Syrian government forces, including sniper units, night mission brigades and allied militias, has since Sunday killed hundreds of Druze, including civilians. But on Thursday a ceasefire was announced with some but not all representatives of the Druze community, and government troops and allied militias began withdrawing in the face of Israeli and US pressure. But the Syrian presidency has accused Druze fighters in Sweida of violating the ceasefire. In a statement, it said "outlaw forces" were violating the deal through "horrific violence" against civilians. Syria's President addresses Sweida unrest and Israeli attacks Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said there had been an attempt to "sabotage the ceasefire that was achieved yesterday with the contributions of our country", and that Israel had shown once again that it did not want peace or stability in Syria. "Israel, using the Druze as an excuse, has expanded its banditry to Syria," he told reporters. He called Israel a "lawless, rule-breaking, unprincipled, spoiled, pampered, and bloodthirsty terrorist state". Joint Gulf-Arab-Turkish statement The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkey, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon and Egypt issued a joint statement reaffirming support for Syria's "security, unity, stability and sovereignty", and rejecting all foreign interference in its affairs. They also welcomed the agreement reached to end the crisis in Sweida and emphasised the necessity of its implementation to protect Syria and its unity. Saudi Arabia 's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman also welcomed in a call with President Al Shara the measures taken by Damascus to contain the recent events. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the de-escalation of the conflict in Syria seemed to be continuing. "Syria agreed to draw back their troops that were in the area where that clash was continuing and we continue to be very actively monitoring the situation," she said. Israel strikes Syria's Defence Ministry HQ in Damascus Addressing Syrians on Thursday, Mr Al Shara credited US, Arab and Turkish mediation for saving "the region from an uncertain fate", but accused Israel of seeking to "dismantle the unity of our people". He said Israel had "consistently targeted our stability and created discord among us since the fall of the former regime". Mr Al Shara, commander of an Al Qaeda faction before cutting ties with the group in 2016, said protecting Druze citizens and their rights was "our priority", and he rejected any attempt to drag them into the hands of an "external party". He also vowed to hold to account those who committed violations against "our Druze people". But the Druze's spiritual leadership in Syria, led by Sheikh Al Hijri, has been critical of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham, the splinter group of Al Qaeda that formed the new Syrian government under Mr Al Shara last year after ousting former president Bashar Al Assad. Mr Al Hijri, previously a key figure in a civil disobedience movement against the Assad regime, has labelled the new government extremist and anti-democratic. Mr Al Hijri said he was not part of the ceasefire deal with government troops. Many Druze have opposed attempts by the government to station security forces from outside the area in Sweida, saying such personnel should be drawn from the local population. Sweida is home to most of Syria's registered 800,000 Druze. But many have left, particularly during the country's 13-year civil war, with about 270,000 remaining in the province.
