Trump pauses tariffs for 90 days on non-retaliatory countries, escalates pressure on China

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt (C-L) and US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (C-R) speak to the media outside the White House in Washington, DC, USA, Apr. 9, 2025. EFE/EPA/WILL OLIVER

Washington, (EFE) – United States President Donald Trump announced Wednesday a 90-day suspension of reciprocal tariffs for countries that have not retaliated against his latest trade measures and have instead sought a negotiated solution. “I’ve authorized a 90-day PAUSE and a substantial reduction in tariffs during this period, down to 10%, also with immediate effect,” … Read more

White House confirms 104% tariffs on Chinese imports to take effect Wednesday

People walk on a street near screens showing stock exchange and economic data in Shanghai, China, Apr. 7, 2025. EFE/EPA/ALEX PLAVEVSKI

Washington, (EFE).- The White House confirmed Tuesday that starting at 12:01 am local time on Wednesday, the United States tariffs on Chinese imports will spike to 104%, making a significant escalation in the trade standoff between the world’s two largest economies. The increase comes as United States President Donald Trump enacts an additional 50% duty … Read more

Trump gives TikTok another 75 days to divest from China’s ByteDance in US

(FILE). US President Donald Trump gestures as he departs the White House, in Washington, DC, US, 03 April 2025. EFE/EPA/FRANCIS CHUNG / POOL

Washington (EFE).- United States President Donald Trump on Friday gave TikTok an additional 75 days to reach a deal with US companies to divest from China’s ByteDance and continue operating within the US. “My Administration has been working very hard on a Deal to SAVE TIKTOK, and we have made tremendous progress. The Deal requires … Read more

Rare earths, controlled by China, are increasingly driving US geostrategy

(FILE) Mining excavators and trucks operate at Vostsibugol open pit mine, near the Siberian town of Tulun, Irkutsk region, Russia Dec. 6, 2023 EFE/EPA/MAXIM SHIPENKOV

Madrid, Feb 15 (EFE). – United States mediation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine highlights Washington’s concern about the scarcity of rare earths, which have multiple applications in electronic and industrial materials and processes. In the past five years, the market for critical minerals has doubled to 320 billion dollars and will likely double … Read more

Washington Zoo unveils its new pandas, resulting from an agreement with China

Photo provided by the National Smithsonian Zoo of the two new giant pandas, Bao Li and Qing Bao. January 24, 2025. EFE/ Smithsonian National Zoo/Editorial use only/For use in news articles only. (Credit required).

Washington, Jan 24 (EFE).- Washington’s National Zoo presented its new pair of giant panda bears on Friday, which arrived in the country as part of a conservation agreement with China. Three-year-old Bao Li and Qing Bao made their public debut at the National Zoo on Friday, after completing the quarantine and adaptation period that began … Read more

China celebrates Dragon Boat Festival under heat wave, rain warnings

Teams compete during a dragon boat race in Lixianghu Township of southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, June 8, 2024. EFE-EPA/XINHUA / Luo Chuan/FILE

Beijing, Jun 10 (EFE).- China was celebrating the Dragon Boat Festival on Monday, during which millions of trips are planned, while its National Meteorological Center issued alerts for high temperatures and intense rainfall countrywide. Competitors row back the boat to the start point as rescuers pull rowers out of the water after capsizing during a … Read more

US dismantles Chinese hacking network against critical infrastructure

(FILE) A person uses a laptop in Moers, Germany, January 4, 2019. EFE/SASCHA STEINBACH

Washington, Jan 31 (EFE). – United States authorities announced on Wednesday that they had dismantled a computer hacking network, allegedly linked to the Chinese government, that was aimed at spying on “critical infrastructure” in the United States and other countries. Hundreds of small home and office routers installed across the United States had been hijacked … Read more

Chinese PM calls for multilateralism and international economic coordination

Li Qiang, Prime Minister of the People's Republic of China, speaks during a plenary session in the Congress Hall at the 54th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland, 16 January 2024. EFE/EPA/GIAN EHRENZELLER

Davos, Switzerland, Jan 16 (EFE). – Chinese Premier Li Qiang called on Tuesday for greater multilateral coordination on macroeconomic policies, international cooperation on green development, and better North-South cooperation at the World Economic Forum 2024 Annual Meeting in Davos. In his speech at the annual meeting in Switzerland, Li asserted that “lack of trust exacerbates … Read more

Xi, Biden exchange good wishes to mark 45 years of US-China ties

US President Joe Biden listens during a virtual summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington DC, USA, 15 November 2021. EFE-EPA/SARAH SILBIGER / POOL/FILE

Beijing, Jan 1 (EFE).- Chinese President Xi Jinping exchanged congratulatory messages on the 45th anniversary of the establishment of ties between Washington and Beijing with his American counterpart Joe Biden, emphasizing that cooperation and respect are key to their relations. Xi said the relationship between China and the United States, whose establishment marks the 45th … Read more

Philippines says China fired water cannon on its vessel

Philippine Coast Guard BRP Melchora Aquino (MRRV-9702) patrol ship (L) and US Coast Guard Cutter Stratton (WMSL-752) patrol ship (R) maneuver during a search and rescue exercise in the South China Sea, Philippines, 06 June 2023. EFE/EPA/FILE/FRANCIS R. MALASIG

Manila, Nov 10 (EFE).- The Philippines accused China on Friday of firing a water cannon at a ship carrying supplies to a detachment of Filipino soldiers in the disputed waters in the South China Sea. A Chinese Coast Guard (CCG) vessel “deployed a water cannon against Philippine supply vessel M/L Kalayaan in an illegal, though … Read more

China accuses US of ‘instigating’ Philippines to ‘provoke’ Beijing

A handout frame grab photo from a video made available by the Philippine'Äôs Armed Forces shows a Chinese coast guard ship with bow number 5203 after bumping a Philippine's Armed Forces supply boat as they approach Second Thomas Shoal, locally called Ayungin Shoal, at the disputed South China Sea on 22 October 2023. EFE-EPA/PHILIPPINE'S ARMED FORCES / HANDOUT BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES HANDOUT EDITORIAL USE ONLY/NO SALES

Beijing, Oct 23 (EFE).- China on Monday accused the United States of instigating the Philippines to “violate” its sovereignty with actions it said contributed to the recent escalation of tensions, aggravated by two collisions between Chinese and Philippine vessels in disputed South China Sea waters. Beijing said the Philippines’ “provocations” in Ayungin Atoll (known as … Read more