This is Beirut

Putin, Xi 'Strongly Condemn' Israeli Strikes on Iran, Urge Diplomatic Solution

This is Beirut, 19/06 14:20 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Israel Iran Xi Jinping Vladimir Putin China

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday strongly condemned Israeli attacks on Iran in a phone call and stressed the need for a diplomatic solution, Moscow and Beijing said. Israel has launched an unprecedented wave of strikes at Iran that prompted Tehran to respond with its own attacks with missiles and ...

Chinese FM Holds Calls with Israeli and Iranian Counterparts

This is Beirut, 14/06 19:50 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

China Iran Israel

China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, held phone calls with his Israeli and Iranian counterparts on Saturday, the foreign ministry said, in which he made clear to both Beijing's support for Tehran. The two Middle Eastern powers exchanged fire on Saturday, a day after Israel unleashed an unprecedented aerial bombing campaign that targeted Iranian nuclear ...

President Donald Trump Hails Rare Earth Deal with China, Praises "Excellent" Relations

This is Beirut, 11/06 16:30 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

United States China Rare Earths Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday welcomed a tentative agreement reached overnight in London between Washington and Beijing, which he says will enable the supply of rare earth minerals to the United States, praising the “excellent” relationship between the two countries. "An agreement with China has been reached, pending final approval ...

China’s Rare Earth Dominance Takes Center Stage in Trade Negotiations

This is Beirut, 11/06 10:25 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

China United States Rare earths

China is counting on one crucial advantage as it seeks to grind out a deal to ease its high-stakes trade war with the United States – dominance in rare earths. Used in electric vehicles, hard drives, wind turbines, and missiles, rare earth elements are essential to the modern economy and national defense. AFP takes a look at how rare earths ...

US and China Begin Key Trade Talks in London

This is Beirut, 09/06 18:45 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

United States China Tariffs

China and the United States began a new round of trade talks in London on Monday, Beijing's state media reported, as the world's two biggest economies seek to shore up a shaky truce after bruising tit-for-tat tariffs. The two sides are meeting in the historic Lancaster House, run by the UK Foreign Office, following a first round of talks ...

China Exports Slow as Trade War Takes Toll

This is Beirut, 09/06 09:05 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA China Exports

Chinese exports grew slower than expected in May, according to official data Monday, as shipments to the United States tumbled amid global trade turmoil triggered by Donald Trump's tariff blitz. The figures also showed imports suffered a forecast-beating drop, with weak domestic consumption in the world's number two economy highlighted by data ...

Trump Says Fresh US-China Trade Talks in London Next Week

This is Beirut, 06/06 22:00 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA China Tariffs London

US President Donald Trump announced Friday a new round of trade talks with China in London next week, a day after calling Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in a bid to end a bitter battle over tariffs. The talks in the British capital on Monday will mark the second round of such negotiations between the world's two biggest economies since Trump ...

Trump, Xi Hold Long-Awaited phone Call on Trade War

This is Beirut, 06/06 09:45 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Donald Trump USA Ukraine China Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke Thursday, with both sides agreeing to talks to prevent an all-out trade war over tariffs and global rare earth supplies. Trump said the call reached a "very positive conclusion" and that they agreed to meet in person -- but Beijing issued a more muted readout saying that Xi spoke of a ...

Trump Says Deal with Xi 'Extremely Hard' as Steel Tariffs Double

This is Beirut, 04/06 22:30 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States China Tarrifs Xi Jinping

US President Donald Trump said Wednesday it is "extremely hard" to reach a deal with China over a trade impasse that has roiled global markets, while his doubling of metal tariffs fueled tensions with key partners. Trump's latest salvos came as ministers from Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries ...

Integration of 3,500 Uyghur Jihadists into Syrian Army Raises Questions

Natasha Metni Torbey, 03/06 14:40 - Reading : 3 minute(s)

Syria US Uyghurs China Jihadists Syrian army

A major strategic shift is underway in Ahmad al-Chareh’s Syria. In a controversial move, the United States has approved the integration of approximately 3,500 former foreign jihadist fighters – mostly Uyghurs – into the 84th Division of the Syrian Army. While the decision is reportedly conditional on full transparency during the integration ...

Trump and Xi ‘Likely’ to Speak This Week

This is Beirut, 02/06 21:05 - Reading : 2 minute(s)

Donald Trump United States Xi Jinping China

US President Donald Trump and China's President Xi Jinping will likely hold a long-awaited call later this week, the White House said Monday, as trade tensions between the world's two biggest economies ratchet back up. Trump reignited strains with China last week when he accused the world's second-biggest economy of violating a deal that had led ...

Pentagon Chief Warns China is 'Preparing' to Use Military Force in Asia

This is Beirut, 31/05 16:35 - Reading : 4 minute(s)

China United States Pete Hegseth Taiwan

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on Saturday warned that China was "credibly preparing" to use military force to upend the balance of power in Asia -- remarks that earned a sharp rebuke from Beijing. The Pentagon chief was speaking at an annual security forum in Singapore, as the administration of US President Donald Trump spars ...

china