News

Growing concerns as China steps into the Afghanistan gap

Published

4 years ago

August 18, 2021

Russia, India and China are set to form relations with the Taliban following the groups return to power after two decades

The Taliban’s return to power after 20 years has left Afghanistan’s neighbours forced to come up with a plan on how to adjust to the group that’s now in charge.

US President Joe Biden in April ordered the Pentagon to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, effectively ending America’s longest war.

As U.S. military presence wound down, the Taliban made rapid battlefield advances despite being outnumbered by the Afghan military.

Within just a matter of weeks, the group seized major cities and provincial capitals before entering capital Kabul on Sunday August 15 – forcing the Afghan Government out and taking control of the presidential palace.

Pakistan cannot stress enough the importance of the international community to remain engaged and involved in Afghanistan in a constructive manner. https://t.co/4kDMRtJZFV
— Shah Mahmood Qureshi (@SMQureshiPTI) August 16, 2021

Western Nations like Australia, the US and the UK have now began to ramp up efforts to shut down embassies and evacuate civilians, following the fall of Kabul.

However, China and Russia have been the first to make overtures, revealed on Monday, that suggest they could be among the first countries to recognise the group as leaders of the country.

Concerns over China’s relations

China says it is ready to move ahead in its relations with the Taliban.

However – foreign policy experts say Beijing remains apprehensive about what comes next and may not devote a vast security and economic commitment to Afghanistan in the near future.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Monday with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi about developments in Afghanistan.

The State Department stated that the two nations discussed the security situation and the two countries’ respective efforts to bring their people back home to safety.

“China keeps in contact and communication with the Afghan Taliban on the basis of fully respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty and the will of all parties in the country”
China Said

According to reports, A Chinese Government official met with Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Tianjin in the hopes that Afghan Taliban would “unite with various political parties and ethnic groups to form a broad and inclusive political structure.”

China, one of the countries that neighbours Afghanistan, pulled out its diplomats in 1993 following the civil war in Afghanistan. The Beijing government never established an official relationship with the Taliban after it seized power in 1996.

News

Trump may accept Qatari jet as the new Air Force One

Trump administration considers Qatari royal jet as potential temporary Air Force One, raising diplomatic and ethical concerns.

Published

5 hours ago

May 13, 2025

ticker NEWS

Trump administration considers Qatari royal jet as potential temporary Air Force One, raising diplomatic and ethical concerns.

The Trump administration is reportedly in talks with Qatar to use a royal aircraft as a potential temporary Air Force One.

The jet — owned by the Qatari royal family — would be retrofitted for presidential use and could be offered as a gift during Trump’s term, with the possibility of it being used again as part of his future presidential library.

While no final decision has been made, the deal raises logistical, diplomatic, and ethical questions around foreign gifts, presidential travel, and how Trump may symbolically separate himself from traditional norms.

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‘Total reset’: U.S. and China agree to lower tariffs

U.S. and China agree to major tariff cuts to 10% after Geneva talks, signaling a shift towards cooperation, though a 20% fentanyl-related tariff remains.

Published

5 hours ago

May 13, 2025

ticker NEWS

U.S. and China agree to major tariff cuts to 10% after Geneva talks, signaling a shift towards cooperation, though a 20% fentanyl-related tariff remains.

The U.S. and China have reached a major breakthrough, agreeing to sharply reduce tariffs following high-stakes meetings in Geneva.

President Trump’s tariffs on Chinese goods will drop from 125% to just 10%, while China will reciprocate by slashing its retaliatory tariffs on American exports to 10%.

However, a separate 20% tariff tied to China’s alleged role in the fentanyl trade will remain in place.

The move signals a clear shift from conflict to cooperation, after years of economic tension that rattled global markets.

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Stocks surge after U.S.-China tariff agreement made

U.S. stocks rebound as U.S.-China agree to cut tariffs, boosting market confidence and optimism over trade tensions.

Published

9 hours ago

May 13, 2025

Ahron Young

U.S. stocks rebound as U.S.-China agree to cut tariffs, boosting market confidence and optimism over trade tensions.

In Short:
U.S. stocks rebounded significantly after an agreement between the U.S. and China to reduce tariffs. Major indices like the Dow and S&P 500 saw notable gains, driven by positive negotiations and increases in tech stocks.

U.S. stocks experienced a significant rebound on Monday after the U.S. and China reached an agreement to temporarily reduce tariffs following negotiations in Switzerland.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average increased by 1,113 points, or 2.6%, remaining strong throughout the session. The S&P 500 rose by 3%, marking over a 20% gain since its low in April amid tariff concerns. It has now reduced its year-to-date losses to 0.9%.

The Nasdaq Composite gained 4%, boosted by an increase in technology stocks linked to China, such as Tesla and Apple.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent described the talks with China as “very productive”. The U.S. has reduced tariffs on Chinese goods to 30%, while China has lowered tariffs on U.S. imports to 10%. Bessent indicated further meetings with Beijing representatives are anticipated in the coming weeks to work on a more comprehensive agreement.

Tesla shares rose by 6%, while Apple and Nvidia followed closely with increases of 6% and 5%, respectively. Companies heavily reliant on Chinese goods saw some of the largest gains, with Best Buy and Dell Technologies both increasing by 8%, and Amazon also rising by 8%.

Investment strategist Jeff Kilburg noted that market rallies were driven by investor surprise at the rapid progress of the tariff negotiations. Tensions between the U.S. and China had escalated sharply in April but recent developments have led to a recovery in stock prices.