WASHINGTON , Jul 9 (Kyodo/APP): U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to visit Japan, possibly next week, as a member of the U.S. delegation to the World Exposition in Osaka, an official said Tuesday.
Without providing further details, the Treasury Department official disclosed Bessent’s planned visit on condition of anonymity. The United States will mark its national day, featuring a range of entertaining programs, on July 19 at the expo.
Bessent is a key figure in the ongoing U.S. tariff negotiations with Japan. His plan became known a day after President Donald Trump said the United States will impose a 25 percent tariff on imports from Japan starting Aug. 1.
As the bilateral talks appear to be stalled, it remains unclear whether Bessent will meet with Japan’s chief tariff negotiator, Ryosei Akazawa, or other officials while in the country.
The visit will be Bessent’s first to Japan since Trump returned to the White House in January for his nonconsecutive second presidency.
RIO DE JANEIRO, Jul 9 (BRNN/APP): Chinese Premier Li Qiang said here Tuesday that the Chinese economy is fully capable of withstanding any external shocks and achieving long-term stable growth.
Meeting with representatives of Chinese enterprises operating in Brazil, Li said that since the year’s beginning, the Chinese economy has held up under pressure and maintained sustained and positive momentum.
Participants included local branch chiefs of Bank of China, Great Wall Motor, State Grid, Goldwind Sci & Tech, China’s leading food trader COFCO, Gree Electric Appliances, Dahua Technology and ZTT Group.
After listening to the remarks from the participants, Li said that in recent years, Chinese enterprises have accelerated their pace of going global and improved their capabilities for international operations, playing an increasingly important role in boosting domestic economy.
Li said the first half of the year has witnessed the resilience of China’s economic growth with potential in domestic demand and bright spots in innovation.
Noting that the Chinese economy will always provide staunch support for Chinese companies operating overseas, the premier said the government will provide better services and guarantees for enterprises, strengthen the building of various mechanisms and platforms for economic and trade cooperation, and improve the overseas comprehensive service system.
He added that greater policy support will be introduced in such areas as policy consultation, finance, credit insurance and security, in order to create a better environment for enterprises and better facilitate their development.
The current global economic and trade landscape is undergoing profound changes with the rise of unilateralism and protectionism, and increasing trade and investment barriers, Li noted. At the same time, a new round of technological revolution and industrial transformation is further advancing, presenting both challenges and opportunities for enterprises, he added.
Li said he hopes Chinese companies can adapt to the trend and take proactive actions. They should build strong brands, strengthen planning, and enhance the global competitiveness of “Made in China” and “Created in China,” he said.
It is essential to cultivate the local markets deeply by providing consumers with more products and services that meet market demand, the premier said, adding that Chinese companies should use Brazil as a platform to expand into the broader Latin American market and strive for greater development.
Li said that Chinese enterprises must respect local laws, regulations and cultural practices, operate in compliance with legal requirements, actively undertake social responsibilities, and strive to forge a responsible and accountable image.
Participants said Chinese enterprises will give full play to their own strengths and characteristics, enhance cooperation, effectively respond to various challenges, take root locally and remain committed to operating in compliance with laws and regulations.
They also vowed to continue to expand their presence in sectors such as finance, energy, agriculture and scientific and technological innovation, uphold the positive image of Chinese enterprises overseas, contribute to building closer economic and trade ties between China and Brazil as well as other Latin American countries, and better achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.
MINSK, Jul 9 (BelTA/APP): Belarus’ visa waiver program has already been used by 1.15 million Europeans. Belarus is open to its neighbors, although they, unfortunately, are reinforcing their borders, Chairman of the House of Representatives Igor Sergeyenko said during his meeting with the staff of the Belinkasgroup company, BelTA has learned.
“Belarus demonstrates its openness to the whole world, including its neighbors. The visa waiver program introduced by the decision of the head of state has already been utilized by over 1.15 million people from more than 30 countries. Almost half of them are from Lithuania. We remain open. However, our neighbors, unfortunately, are reinforcing their borders, including through engineering projects. We clearly see what is happening across our border today, i.e in Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine. They are building up military capacities, improving combat skills, conducting exercises, strengthening the potential of the troops, increasing investment in defense of the armed forces. Of course, this prompts us to work on increasing combat readiness and defense capability. These issues were also on our agenda today,” Igor Sergeyenko said.
Belinkasgroup specializes in cash management solutions. The company leverages advanced technologies and global best practices to offer services to businesses and financial institutions. “Today I have met with the Belinkasgroup team, looked at the company’s physical infrastructure. We were told about its operations in Minsk and in the regions of our country. The president’s decree established a unified structure responsible for cash collection, interaction with with banks, businesses, and trade organizations. The organization was founded by three banks and employs more than 3,000 people. It is noteworthy that for a number of years there have been no emergency situations posing a risk to life or safety of its employees. Today I have seen a centralized control system managing the movement of each vehicle, money collection, delivery and storage. We saw the equipment and weapons that are used by the employees. The company benefits from the experience of people who served in the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the fresh perspective of young individuals who join after serving in the army. It is noteworthy that many women work here in various positions. The organization is unique, the only one of its kind,” Igor Sergeyenko said.
MINSK, Jul 9 (BelTA/APP): Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko extended greetings to the Zaslonov Children’s Railways as it celebrates the 70th anniversary of founding, BelTA learned from the press service of the Belarusian leader.
“Children’s Railways with its beautiful mini-station, real rolling stock, young train crews and fascinating excursions is not just a smaller replica of Belarusian Railways but one of the country’s tourist brands, popular with Minsk residents and guests of our capital. It operates a unique center for vocational training and additional education of children. Thanks to a large team of experienced mentors, children not only learn the basics of railway professions but also grow in the spirit of love for the Motherland, respect for its history and culture,” the message reads.
Over the past seven decades, Children’s Railways has trained more than 14,000 boys and girls and many of them have chosen rail industry professions.
“I am convinced that the glorious traditions established by several generations of pupils and employees of the Children’s Railways will only grow stronger and multiply,” the president said.
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