China says U.S. putting 'knife to its neck', hard to proceed on tradeThe Saigon Times Daily Chinese Vice Commerce Minister and Deputy China International Trade Representative Wang Shouwen leaves a news conference in Beijing, China, April 4, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS BEIJING (REUTERS) - A senior Chinese official said on Tuesday it is difficult to proceed with trade talks with the United States while Washington is putting "a knife to China's neck", a day after both sides heaped fresh tariffs on each other's goods. When the talks can restart would depend on the "will" of the United States, Vice Commerce Minister Wang Shouwen said at a news conference in Beijing. U.S. tariffs on US$200 billion worth of Chinese goods and retaliatory taxes by Beijing on US$60 billion worth of U.S. products including liquefied natural gas (LNG) kicked in on Monday, unnerving global financial markets. "Now that the United States has adopted such a huge trade restriction measure... how can the … [Read more...] about China says U.S. putting ‘knife to its neck’, hard to proceed on trade
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Russia denounces new U.S. sanctions as illegal, mulls retaliation
Russia denounces new U.S. sanctions as illegal, mulls retaliationThe Saigon Times Daily National flags of Russia and the U.S. fly at Vnukovo International Airport in Moscow, Russia April 11, 2017 – PHOTO: REUTERS MOSCOW (REUTERS) - Russia condemned a new round of U.S. sanctions as illegal on Thursday and said it had begun working on retaliatory measures after news of the curbs pushed the rouble to two-year lows over fears Moscow was locked in a spiral of never-ending sanctions. Moscow has been trying with mixed success to improve battered U.S.-Russia ties since Donald Trump won the White House in 2016, and Russia’s political elite was quick to chalk up a summit last month between Trump and Vladimir Putin as a victory. But initial triumphalism swiftly turned sour as anger over what some U.S. lawmakers saw as an over deferential performance by Trump and his failure to confront Putin over Moscow’s alleged meddling in U.S. politics galvanized a new sanctions … [Read more...] about Russia denounces new U.S. sanctions as illegal, mulls retaliation
Trump to use U.S. security review panel to curb China tech investments
Trump to use U.S. security review panel to curb China tech investmentsThe Saigon Times Daily U.S. President Donald Trump says a few words about Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, during Pompeo's swearing-in ceremony, at the Department of State in Washington, U.S., May 2, 2018 – PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he will use a strengthened national security review process to thwart Chinese acquisitions of sensitive American technologies, a softer approach than imposing China-specific investment restrictions. The Treasury Department has recommended that Trump use the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS), whose authority would be enhanced by new legislation in Congress, to control investment deals. The legislation expands the scope of transactions reviewed by the interagency panel to address security concerns, Trump said. The decision marks a victory for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin in a fierce White … [Read more...] about Trump to use U.S. security review panel to curb China tech investments
U.S., Cuba restore ties after 50 years World
The United States and Cuba agreed on Wednesday to restore diplomatic ties that Washington severed more than 50 years ago, and President Barack Obama called for an end to the long economic embargo against its old Cold War enemy. After 18 months of secret talks, Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro agreed in a phone call on Tuesday on a breakthrough prisoner exchange, the opening of embassies in each other's countries, and an easing of some restrictions on commerce. The two leaders made the announcement in simultaneous televised speeches. The Vatican and Canada facilitated the deal. Obama's call for an end to the economic embargo drew resistance from Republicans who will control both houses of Congress from January and who oppose normal relations with the Communist-run island. Obama said he was ending what he called a rigid and outdated policy of isolating Cuba that had failed to achieve change on the island. His administration's policy shift includes an opening to more commerce in some … [Read more...] about U.S., Cuba restore ties after 50 years World
Obama, Castro shake hands as U.S., Cuba seek better ties World
President Barack Obama and Cuban President Raul Castro shook hands on Friday at a summit in Panama, a symbolically charged gesture as the pair seek to restore ties between the Cold War foes. A photograph showed Obama and Castro, both wearing dark suits, chatting in a small group of leaders at the summit's opening ceremony. A White House official confirmed the two men shook hands and spoke briefly. "This was an informal interaction and there was not a substantive conversation between the two leaders," the official said. Obama and Castro are expected to meet again on Saturday and talk about their efforts to restore full diplomatic relations and boost trade and travel between the two countries. Their rapprochement, first unveiled in a historic policy shift in December, is the central issue at the Summit of the Americas meeting in Panama. "As we move towards the process of normalization, we'll have our differences government to government with Cuba on many issues. Just as we differ at … [Read more...] about Obama, Castro shake hands as U.S., Cuba seek better ties World