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EU trade chief seeks more balanced economic ties on China visit
On a four-day trip to China, the trade commissioner for Europe will press Beijing to ease restrictions on European companies. He may anticipate difficult discussions about a proposed EU investigation into imports of electric cars.
During his visit to Shanghai and Beijing from September 23 to 26, Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis will give two speeches, meet with Chinese officials and European business operations in China, and participate in a joint economic and trade conversation.
The purpose of the visit for the European Union is to restart communication with China following the COVID-19 closure and amid growing EU concern over Beijing’s growing relations with Moscow in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Just over a week after the EU executive announced it would consider imposing punitive tariffs to safeguard European companies from less expensive imports of Chinese electric vehicles, Dombrovskis will arrive.
The investigation may lead to a colder reception in China, but individuals familiar with the trip believe it could help focus the conversation on “trade irritants.”
The EU claims that the EU market is generally open and attributes some of its 400 billion euro ($426.32 billion) trade deficit to Chinese restrictions on European companies.
Jorge Toledo, the EU ambassador to China, lamented at an event on Thursday in Beijing that there are “thousands” of hurdles to market access, which have caused the trade gap to reach its “highest in the history of mankind.”
Chinese customs figures show that the EU’s trade deficit with China increased from $208.4 billion to $276.6 billion in 2022.
The 10th such conversation since 2008, which will occur on Monday between Dombrovskis and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng, will serve as a “litmus test” for both parties, according to the Chinese nationalist tabloid Global Times.
‘DE-RISK’
In a report released on Wednesday, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China claimed that Chinese authorities were giving conflicting signals to international companies. Many had hoped for a quick economic recovery following the reopening of China’s borders in January, but this did not happen.
“Although official announcements aimed at improving the business environment have been released, so has a slew of national security-focused legislation, which has deepened uncertainty and raised compliance risks,” according to the research.
This contains legislation against espionage that forbids sharing information about national security and other unspecified purposes. Punishments may follow for foreign businesses conducting ordinary business.
During the visit, it’s also anticipated that the EU would be questioned on the definition of “de-risk” as it applies to China.
According to EU officials, the group wants to reduce its reliance on the world’s second-largest economy while maintaining economic relations, especially for the resources and goods required for its green transformation.
According to Toledo, large European firms have begun reviewing their supply chains to determine where they are overly dependent on China after being “shocked” by Chinese export curbs on critical metals germanium and gallium.
In its latest salvo in a growing conflict between Beijing and Washington over access to minerals required to manufacture high-tech microchips, China set export restrictions on eight gallium and six germanium items as of August.
China has threatened to “stand idly by” should Germany move forward with the ban on Huawei (HWT.UL) and ZTE equipment in 5G networks in response to Germany’s plans to require telecom companies to reduce their usage of this equipment.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan voiced his displeasure with the United Nations’ use of “LGBT colors” to promote this week’s Sustainable Development Goals.
On Thursday, Turkish media claimed that Erdogan wanted to discuss the issue with U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. Erdogan and the Islamist-rooted AK Party, which he leads, have tightened their stance on LGBTQ rights in Turkey.
Erdogan said, “One of the issues that bothers me the most… is that when entering the United Nations General Assembly, you see the LGBT colors on steps and other places,” by the Turkish broadcasting company Haberturk and others.
To what extent does the global LGBT community currently exist? Erdogan, who has repeatedly called members of the LGBTQ community “deviants” and particularly sharpened his rhetoric during this year’s election campaign, said that whoever is against the LGBT community has just as much right to be there.
Some U.N. diplomats, however, have suggested that Erdogan may have confused the 17 colors used to decorate the U.N. headquarters for a summit held earlier this week with the rainbow Pride colors associated with LGBTQ rights.
Guterres is an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ rights, yet the United Nations building does not include the rainbow Pride flag.
When asked for a reaction to Erdogan’s comments, a representative for Guterres did not provide any right away.
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, with a 2030 deadline, are a global “to-do” list with goals like eradicating extreme poverty and hunger, addressing inequality and climate change, and advancing gender equality.
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An adviser to the president of Azerbaijan told Reuters that the country is considering granting amnesty to Armenian Karabakh fighters who surrender their weapons. However, Karabakh military formations have stated they will continue their resistance, according to the adviser.
“Even concerning former militaries and combatants, if they can be classified in such a way, and even for them, we are envisaging an amnesty or alluding to an amnesty as well,” Hikmet Hajiyev, a foreign policy assistant to the president of Azerbaijan, told Reuters. “We are envisaging an amnesty or alluding to an amnesty as well.”
“Right now, we are observing that some individual army groups and officers have made public statements that they won’t come to our terms and will continue resistance,” he said. “This is something that we are seeing.”
He stated that Armenians living in Karabakh needed humanitarian assistance and that three shipments would be sent to the territory on Friday. According to what he said, Azerbaijan is interested in the peaceful reintegration of Karabakh Armenians.
Vice President Joe Biden informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy that despite opposition from some Republican lawmakers to giving billions more in aid, the United States will continue its strong support for his struggle to repel Russian invaders.
The Ukrainian leader, Zelenskiy, met with Vice President Biden in the White House’s East Room for a war council as part of a flurry of public appearances he made to rally American support for a conflict that has been ongoing since February 2022.
Biden told Zelenskiy, “Mr. President, we’re with you, we’re staying with you,” before shaking his hand at the end of their two-hour meeting.
Zelenskiy thanked Biden for a new $325 million military aid package, stating, “it has exactly what our soldiers need now.”
He said he and Biden had settled on concrete measures to increase Ukrainian grain exports despite a Russian blockade and tensions with neighboring Poland. He was vague on how to proceed.
House Republican conservatives are blocking Vice President Biden’s request for an additional $24 million in Ukraine financing to pay for the country’s defense and humanitarian aid through the end of the year.
When asked how to win over skeptics, Vice President Biden stated that they must first win over the United States Congress.
I trust the Congress of the United States to make the right decision. There’s no way out,” he concluded.
The resistance was encapsulated by Senator Rand Paul of the Republican Party, a vocal opponent of foreign aid. When asked about the war’s prospects, he told Fox Business News that Ukraine’s “corrupt regime” makes peace unlikely.
Biden announced that the first American Abrams tanks would be sent to Ukraine the next week.
Besides backing changes that would combat corruption, the United States is “committed to helping Ukraine defend itself now,” as Vice President Joe Biden put it.
FLYING DEFENSE
Vice President Biden announced that the United States would ship another Hawk air defense battery to Ukraine, this one manufactured by Raytheon. According to a U.S. official, the equipment will arrive shortly in Ukraine.
Zelenskiy came to Washington on a blitz throughout the city after seeking international support at the United Nations on Wednesday. He spoke with military chiefs at the Pentagon, toured the U.S. Capitol, and gave a talk at the National Archives museum later that day.
During his meeting with Zelenskiy earlier in the day, Vice President Biden praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people and announced a fresh $325 million military aid package for Ukraine.
At the outset of their conversation, Biden remarked, “Together with our partners and allies, the American people are determined to see to it to that (we) do all that we can to ensure that the world stands with you.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Zelenskiy thanked the United States for helping “to combat Russian terror” and promised to talk to Vice President Joe Biden about the country’s defense needs, emphasizing air defense.
“Today I’m in Washington to strengthen our ability to defend Ukrainian children, our families, our homes, freedom, and democracy around the world,” he added.
Although Vice President Biden and most congressional leaders still support aid to Ukraine and Biden’s Democratic Party controls the Senate, Zelenskiy encountered a rougher crowd than on his previous visit nine months ago.
Senator Chris Murphy wrote on platform X that Zelenskiy, dressed in military green to signify his rank as a combat leader, informed the entire U.S. Senate in the historic Old Senate Chamber and received many standing ovations.
Senators were briefed behind closed doors by Zelenskiy, who reportedly informed them that military aid was critical to Ukraine’s war effort. Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said this in the Senate chamber after the session.
If we don’t get the aid, we’ll lose the fight, Zelenskiy was reported as saying by Schumer.
After the fact, Zelenskiy said that his interactions with parliamentarians were open and fruitful.
Zelenskiy spoke with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and other high-ranking officials at the Pentagon. He and his wife left bouquets at the Pentagon’s memorial for the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
Washington plans to enhance Ukraine’s long-term defense capabilities by hosting a meeting for the U.S. defense industry, Ukrainian business executives, and government officials to explore collaborative ventures and co-production this fall.
According to the White House, Zelenskiy discussed his plans to combat corruption with Vice President Biden during their discussion. Biden stressed the need for robust anti-corruption institutions in Ukraine.
In front of a case containing the United States Constitution, Zelenskiy delivered his address of gratitude to the American people, declaring, “there is not a soul in Ukraine that does not feel gratitude to you, America.”
Doctors who cared for Ukrainian soldiers and civilians received prizes, and Zelenskiy and his wife recognized those who helped raise money for ambulances and other medical supplies.
An increasing number of Republicans have questioned the billions of dollars Washington has supplied Kyiv for military, economic, and humanitarian needs as Ukraine’s counteroffensive goes on and Congress prepares a fierce battle over spending ahead of a possible government shutdown.
Since Russia’s invasion in February 2022, the United States has provided about $113 billion in security and humanitarian aid to support Zelenskiy’s government.
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