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MANILA, Philippines (AFP) — The European Union and the Philippines will restart negotiations on a free-trade agreement as they seek to accelerate “a new era of cooperation”, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Monday. Talks began in 2015 under then-president Benigno Aquino but stalled two years later under his successor Rodrigo Duterte, whose deadly drug war strained diplomatic relations with the West and sparked an international probe. “I’m very glad that we have […]
MUMBAI, India (AFP) — The world’s biggest rice exporter India has banned some overseas sales of the grain “with immediate effect”, the government said, in a move that could drive international prices even higher. Rice is a major world food staple and prices on international markets have soared to decade highs as the world grappled with the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the impact of the El Nino weather phenomenon on production levels. […]
BRUSSELS, July 10, 2023 (AFP) – The European Commission said Monday it has adopted a new legal framework to protect Europeans’ personal data in exchanges with the United States — its third attempt to get past legal challenges. “Today we take an important step to provide trust to (EU) citizens that their data is safe, to deepen our economic ties between the EU and the US, and at the same time to reaffirm our shared […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s customs authority on Friday said it would ban food imports from 10 Japanese prefectures over Tokyo’s plan to release treated nuclear wastewater into the ocean. Japan’s planned, decades-long discharge of accumulated water from the devastated Fukushima nuclear facility has been approved by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) as meeting global standards. The release is expected to begin this summer but is opposed by some regional neighbours, with Beijing vocally […]
By Beiyi SEOW Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen is set to visit Beijing this week, the United States said Sunday, marking the second trip by a cabinet official to China since ties between the world’s top two economies deteriorated earlier this year. Yellen is expected to discuss with her counterparts the importance for both countries “to responsibly manage our relationship, communicate directly about areas of concern, and work together […]
BEIJING, June 20, 2023 (AFP) – Chinese imports of Russian oil last month hit their highest level since Moscow’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, customs data showed Tuesday, as Beijing offers an economic lifeline to an increasingly isolated Kremlin. China is Russia’s largest economic partner, with trade between them reaching a record $190 billion last year. In May, China imported 9.71 million tonnes of oil from Russia, Beijing said, more than double the amount from […]
By Jitendra JOSHI Agence France-Presse WASHINGTON, United States — The United States and Britain on Thursday announced a new strategic pact as their leaders rededicated the “special relationship” to counter Russia, China and economic instability. In a White House summit, US President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak presented a united front on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the lightning-fast evolution of artificial intelligence. But Sunak came away empty-handed on Britain’s ambitions for […]
SYDNEY, Australia, May 24, 2023 (AFP) — Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned Wednesday that “separatist elements” should not be allowed to hurt India-Australia relations, after he was lavished with a rockstar welcome in Sydney. Lured by the world’s most populous market and the promise of a counterweight to a rising China, Australia has batted away questions about India’s treatment of opponents and minorities, suggesting they are domestic issues. Modi appeared to have no such qualms. […]
Beijing accused the United States Friday of “naked economic coercion and technological bullying”, in response to Washington’s potential new restrictions on US firms’ ability to invest in Chinese entities. The Biden administration is considering a programme to restrict certain US outbound investments involving specific sensitive technology with significant national security implications. Beijing’s ambitions in the tech sector have already been hit by existing measures imposed by Washington and its allies, with Chinese authorities doubling down […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — China’s exports rose in March for the first time in six months, customs data showed Thursday, as the world’s second-largest economy continued its recovery following the end of onerous coronavirus curbs late last year. The 14.8 percent surge in overseas shipments marked the first since September, according to the General Administration of Customs, and will provide a boost to hopes for a lasting rebound. Beijing long maintained some of the world’s […]
BEIJING, China (AFP) — Beijing has asked the United States, Japan and the Netherlands to confirm the existence of an alleged agreement between the three countries to curb semiconductor exports to China, state media reported Wednesday. Beijing’s representatives issued the request during a regular meeting this week at the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to a state television broadcast. Representatives demanded that the three countries “notify the WTO of the agreement and subsequent measures, and […]
by Nivrita GANGULY Agence France-Presse MUMBAI, India (AFP) — India is snapping up discounted crude from Russia, refining it and selling it, becoming a key supplier to Europe as it reshapes global fuel flows more than a year into Moscow’s war in Ukraine. New Delhi has resisted Western pressure to freeze out Moscow, opting instead to strengthen trade ties with its long-standing ally — with the added benefits of tempering inflation while saving money. – […]
