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China Tariffs | Afghanistan Eid Cease-Fire? | Colombia's Duque Sworn In

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Council on Foreign Relations Newsletter If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view. August 8, 2018 Daily News Brief   TOP OF THE AGENDA U.S. Details New Round of China Tariffs The United States said it will impose a second round of tariffs on Chinese goods later this month, escalating a trade war between the world’s largest economies. The list of products, worth $16 billion, will be subject to 25 percent duties (USTR). China has already pledged to retaliate with duties on an identical amount (SCMP) of U.S. goods. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative says the new tariffs, on items including motorcycles and antennas, are “part of the U.S. response to China’s unfair trade practices related to the forced transfer of American technology.” Following a first round of U.S. duties on $34 billion worth of Chinese goods in July, Beijing retaliated with equivalent tariffs (CNN) on U.S. products. Both governments have indicated the trade war would escalate in the coming weeks. ANALYSIS “A stalemate appears the most likely endgame, with new American and Chinese tariffs staying in place for months or even years,” Keith Bradsher writes for the New York Times. “[American] consumers are seeing higher prices on a variety everyday products, and a range of US businesses—from cranberry farmers to yacht sellers—say they're hurting as a result of Trump’s trade policies," Claudia Koerner writes for Buzzfeed. CFR’s Brad W. Setser examines the makings of a U.S.-China trade war. This CFR Backgrounder explores whether the “Made in China 2025” industrial policy is a threat to global trade. CFR Quiz: World War II This week’s test: How much do you know about the major events of World War II, from Normandy to Nagasaki?   PACIFIC RIM Malaysia’s Ex-Prime Minister Hit With New Charges Former Prime Minister Najib Razak was indicted on three counts (Nikkei) of money laundering related to transfers of some $10 million. The charges are part of an ongoing investigation into corruption at the 1MDB state development fund. Najib has already been charged with bribery and breach of trust (Star). SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA Afghan Government Aims for Eid Cease-Fire Ahead of an expected cease-fire with Taliban militants during the Eid al-Adha holiday, a spokesperson for the government’s peace negotiations council said that “everybody wants a permanent cease-fire” (Tolo). Council officials also said peace talks are underway in several provinces. President Ashraf Ghani called an earlier cease-fire during Eid al-Fitr, in June, a success.   In Foreign Affairs, Barnett R. Rubin writes that great powers can end the war in Afghanistan. BANGLADESH: The Commonwealth secretary-general, Patricia Scotland, begins an eleven-day Asia trip (Daily Star) with talks in Dhaka today. The trip also includes stops in Sri Lanka and Brunei (Commonwealth). This CFR Backgrounder looks at the role of the Commonwealth after Brexit. MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA German Auto Giant Halts Iran Business German auto manufacturer Daimler dropped plans with an Iranian firm to produce Mercedes-Benz trucks (Reuters) in Iran after the United States reimposed sanctions on the country yesterday. Several other European firms are also expected to suspend their business in Iran. CFR.org editors lay out what to know about the return of U.S. sanctions on Iran. ISRAEL: French President Emmanuel Macron canceled a November visit to Israel (Ynet) without providing an explanation. The announcement comes several months after Prime Minister Edouard Philippe called off a scheduled visit to the country. SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA Ethiopia Makes Peace With Rebel Group The government agreed to end hostilities (France 24) with the Oromo Liberation Front (OLF), a rebel group it had previously designated a terrorist organization, in a deal with the OLF’s exiled leader. For decades, the group has fought a low-level insurgency aimed at self-determination for members of the Oromo ethnic group. CFR’s Michelle D. Gavin discusses Ethiopia’s long political transition. MOZAMBIQUE: The government approved contracts with several foreign energy firms and its national oil company to begin exploring offshore oil fields (Reuters) believed to hold enough reserves to supply Britain, France, Germany, and Italy for two decades. EUROPE Turkish Delegation Heads to Washington A delegation headed by Turkey’s deputy foreign minister is set to meet with U.S. officials about ongoing bilateral tensions, including the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson. The Turkish lira plunged further this week after the Trump administration announced it may end Turkey’s duty-free access (VOA) to the U.S. market. SWITZERLAND: A heatwave across Europe has caused a mass die-off of fish (BBC) in the Rhine River as high temperatures have decreased oxygen levels in the water. AMERICAS Colombian Hard-Line Leader Sworn In New President Ivan Duque vowed to push for “legality, entrepreneurship, and equity” as he was sworn in yesterday (Colombia Reports). Duque has said he will only continue negotiations with Marxist rebels (FT) begun by his predecessor if the group unilaterally declares a cease-fire. VENEZUELA: State oil company PDVSA has been transferring oil between tankers at sea and loading oil tankers in Cuba to avoid having its vessels seized (Reuters). The firm has suffered an exodus of workers and seizures of some facilities as payment to ConocoPhillips for a $2 billion arbitration award. UNITED STATES California Wildfire May Burn for Weeks Local authorities said the 450-square-mile Mendocino Complex wildfire, one of seventeen fires across the state, is expected to burn (CBS) through the end of August. Yosemite National Park has been closed indefinitely (VOA) due to another fire in and around the park.         Council on Foreign Relations — 58 East 68th Street — New York, NY 10065 CFR does not share email addresses with third parties. Forward This Email | Subscribe to CFR Newsletters | Unsubscribe - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  

From: dailybrief@e.cfr.org

Date: August 08, 2018 at 10:14PM