"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

 

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

Beijing's resistance is rooted in the decision of the Chinese government to present itself as an adversary to what it perceives as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. 

"It’s extortion." This is how China labeled President Donald Trump's recent warning to implement an additional 50 percent tariff on its products, while asserting its determination to resist the fees "to the end." The American president has granted Beijing a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the reciprocal 34 percent tariff it imposed on U.S. goods the previous week. 

If both parties remain steadfast and Trump follows through with his intentions, the overall new tariffs on Chinese imports entering the United States could reach up to 104 percent this year, intensifying a trade conflict that has already led to significant market declines since the onset of the pandemic. 

"The U.S. threat to increase tariffs against China represents yet another blunder, which reveals the U.S.'s extortionate behavior," stated China's commerce ministry on Tuesday. 

"Should the U.S. persist in its demands, China will resist fully."

The ministry emphasized its willingness to engage in "discussions" with the U.S. and remarked that "there are no victors in a trade conflict."

China's Tactics 

Beijing's resistance is based on the choice of the Chinese government to establish itself as a counterforce against what it describes as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. Over the recent weekend, Beijing sent a strong signal to the global community, indicating its readiness to withstand a trade conflict.

"U.S. tariffs will have an effect (on China), but 'the sky won't fall,'" the ruling Chinese Communist Party asserted in a commentary published in its official newspaper, People's Daily, on Sunday. 

"Since the U.S. initiated the first trade conflict in 2017 - regardless of how the U.S. acts or pressures - we have continued to grow and advance, showcasing resilience; 'the more pressure we receive, the stronger we become,'" the statement continued.

U.S.-China Trade Conflict 

On Tuesday, Trump announced that he would implement the additional 50 percent tariff on imports from China if Beijing did not retract the 34 percent tariffs it had recently placed on U.S. products.

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April 08, 2025 at 11:50AM

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

 

"Extortion": China's Approach to Counter Trump's 50% Tariff Threat

Beijing's resistance is rooted in the decision of the Chinese government to present itself as an adversary to what it perceives as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. 

"It’s extortion." This is how China labeled President Donald Trump's recent warning to implement an additional 50 percent tariff on its products, while asserting its determination to resist the fees "to the end." The American president has granted Beijing a 24-hour ultimatum to retract the reciprocal 34 percent tariff it imposed on U.S. goods the previous week. 

If both parties remain steadfast and Trump follows through with his intentions, the overall new tariffs on Chinese imports entering the United States could reach up to 104 percent this year, intensifying a trade conflict that has already led to significant market declines since the onset of the pandemic. 

"The U.S. threat to increase tariffs against China represents yet another blunder, which reveals the U.S.'s extortionate behavior," stated China's commerce ministry on Tuesday. 

"Should the U.S. persist in its demands, China will resist fully."

The ministry emphasized its willingness to engage in "discussions" with the U.S. and remarked that "there are no victors in a trade conflict."

China's Tactics 

Beijing's resistance is based on the choice of the Chinese government to establish itself as a counterforce against what it describes as "unilateral intimidation" from the United States. Over the recent weekend, Beijing sent a strong signal to the global community, indicating its readiness to withstand a trade conflict.

"U.S. tariffs will have an effect (on China), but 'the sky won't fall,'" the ruling Chinese Communist Party asserted in a commentary published in its official newspaper, People's Daily, on Sunday. 

"Since the U.S. initiated the first trade conflict in 2017 - regardless of how the U.S. acts or pressures - we have continued to grow and advance, showcasing resilience; 'the more pressure we receive, the stronger we become,'" the statement continued.

U.S.-China Trade Conflict 

On Tuesday, Trump announced that he would implement the additional 50 percent tariff on imports from China if Beijing did not retract the 34 percent tariffs it had recently placed on U.S. products.

Case of Gaza Aid Workers Killed by Israeli Gunfire

Case of Gaza Aid Workers Killed by Israeli Gunfire

 

The Israeli military, confronted with video evidence contradicting its initial account, now says it was “mistaken.”

The Israeli military has acknowledged flaws in its initial accounts of its troops’ involvement in the killing last month of 15 people in southern Gaza who the United Nations said were all paramedics and rescue workers.

The admission came on Saturday, the day after a video obtained by The New York Times appeared to contradict a key part of the military’s earlier version of events. While the military had said it fired on the vehicles after they “advanced suspiciously,” the video showed clearly marked ambulances and a fire truck.

The episode has drawn international scrutiny and condemnation. After the blatant inconsistencies in the Israeli account were revealed, the military seemed to move more quickly than usual to address the issue. Internal military inquiries into questionable deadly episodes can drag on for months, even years.

Here’s what we know so far:

The Israeli military’s version(s)

In its initial statements after the bodies were discovered, the military insisted its troops had opened fire as a convoy approached them in the dark “without headlights or emergency signals.”

But the video — discovered on the cellphone of a paramedic who was found in a mass grave — shows that the ambulances and fire truck had emergency lights on as Israeli forces unleashed their barrage.

The military now says the initial account from forces on the ground was “mistaken.”

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April 07, 2025 at 09:03AM

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

 

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

The Waqf Board stands as the third-largest holder of land in India, overseeing 940,000 acres meant for religious and community purposes, with significant contributions from figures like the Nizams, Mughal emperors, and affluent Muslims.

As of December 2022, the Waqf Board is acknowledged as India’s third biggest land possessor, owning around 872,000 formal properties. Various analyses indicate that the overall area managed by the Waqf Board surpasses 940,000 acres.

These assets consist of mosques, madrasas, burial sites, and other lands allocated for community and religious usage. In India, the majority of Waqf assets come from donations made by Muslim monarchs, Sufi mystical leaders, prosperous entrepreneurs, and spiritual figures who have bequeathed large tracts for mosques, dargahs, and community support initiatives.

The Waqf Board administers properties that are solely intended for religious or charitable functions in accordance with Islamic principles. Once a property is designated as a Waqf, ownership is transferred from the donor to Allah, rendering it permanent.

The word ‘Wakf’ originates from the Arabic term ‘wakufa’, which signifies something set apart for God or funds designated for community benefits. In India, the management of Waqf is mostly self-governing, while in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is largely controlled by the state. In India, Waqf legislation involves minority rights, while in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is governed by Islamic law.

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April 07, 2025 at 08:35AM

"Some Cry Without Any Reason": PM Modi Challenges MK Stalin Regarding Central Funding

"Some Cry Without Any Reason": PM Modi Challenges MK Stalin Regarding Central Funding

"Some Cry Without Any Reason": PM Modi Challenges MK Stalin Regarding Central Funding

"The development of Tamil Nadu's infrastructure is a high priority for the administration," stated PM Narendra Modi.

While inaugurating the Pamban bridge in Tamil Nadu today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi ridiculed the Opposition, likening them to individuals who weep for no apparent reason. In light of Chief Minister MK Stalin's grievances concerning delimitation and the matter of the third language, PM Modi emphasized that the funding for the state's rail initiatives has increased almost sevenfold.

"The development of Tamil Nadu's infrastructure is a high priority for the administration... Prior to 2014, Tamil Nadu only received Rs 900 crore annually for rail initiatives, and everyone knows who was leading the INDI Alliance back then. Currently, the state's rail budget exceeds Rs 6000 crore," he remarked amidst claims of insufficient funding allocations.

He also mentioned that the government is upgrading 77 railway stations, including the one located in Rameswaram.

Highlighting the Centre's contributions in another sector, he commented, "In the last decade, significant advancements have been achieved on rural roads and highways under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana."

"Since 2014, with the support of the central government, approximately 4,000 km of roads have been constructed in Tamil Nadu," he noted further.

Chief Minister Stalin has continuously accused the Centre of trying to undermine the southern states politically through delimitation and culturally through the three-language formula. He argued that the Centre indicated that it would withhold funds from the state if it did not adhere to the National Education Policy.

Nonetheless, these were not the points PM Modi addressed. Instead, he criticized Tamil Nadu's leaders for signing documents in English rather than Tamil and challenged the state to implement medical education in Tamil. 

When Prime Minister Modi opened the Pamban bridge, Mr. Stalin did not attend, opting instead to launch a government-operated medical college located in the Nilgiris. In his speech today, he insisted that the central government must ensure the current number of MPs in parliament remains unchanged.

"I would like to request PM Modi to address the legitimate concerns of Tamil Nadu during this meeting. The Prime Minister should assure us from Tamil Nadu’s soil that the number and percentage of MPs in states that have managed their population will be maintained," he stated, calling for a constitutional change regarding this issue.

In the previous two general elections, the BJP has been unsuccessful in gaining any seats in Tamil Nadu. Now that it has lost its majority in parliament and faces challenges with coalition politics at the center, the party is seeking new opportunities for growth in other states. With many northern states already filled to capacity, the party is now looking towards the southern region.

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April 07, 2025 at 08:27AM

Case of Gaza Aid Workers Killed by Israeli Gunfire

 

The Israeli military, confronted with video evidence contradicting its initial account, now says it was “mistaken.”

The Israeli military has acknowledged flaws in its initial accounts of its troops’ involvement in the killing last month of 15 people in southern Gaza who the United Nations said were all paramedics and rescue workers.

The admission came on Saturday, the day after a video obtained by The New York Times appeared to contradict a key part of the military’s earlier version of events. While the military had said it fired on the vehicles after they “advanced suspiciously,” the video showed clearly marked ambulances and a fire truck.

The episode has drawn international scrutiny and condemnation. After the blatant inconsistencies in the Israeli account were revealed, the military seemed to move more quickly than usual to address the issue. Internal military inquiries into questionable deadly episodes can drag on for months, even years.

Here’s what we know so far:

The Israeli military’s version(s)

In its initial statements after the bodies were discovered, the military insisted its troops had opened fire as a convoy approached them in the dark “without headlights or emergency signals.”

But the video — discovered on the cellphone of a paramedic who was found in a mass grave — shows that the ambulances and fire truck had emergency lights on as Israeli forces unleashed their barrage.

The military now says the initial account from forces on the ground was “mistaken.”

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

 

Who Gave the Most Land to the Waqf Board in India? Discover the Top Contributor

The Waqf Board stands as the third-largest holder of land in India, overseeing 940,000 acres meant for religious and community purposes, with significant contributions from figures like the Nizams, Mughal emperors, and affluent Muslims.

As of December 2022, the Waqf Board is acknowledged as India’s third biggest land possessor, owning around 872,000 formal properties. Various analyses indicate that the overall area managed by the Waqf Board surpasses 940,000 acres.

These assets consist of mosques, madrasas, burial sites, and other lands allocated for community and religious usage. In India, the majority of Waqf assets come from donations made by Muslim monarchs, Sufi mystical leaders, prosperous entrepreneurs, and spiritual figures who have bequeathed large tracts for mosques, dargahs, and community support initiatives.

The Waqf Board administers properties that are solely intended for religious or charitable functions in accordance with Islamic principles. Once a property is designated as a Waqf, ownership is transferred from the donor to Allah, rendering it permanent.

The word ‘Wakf’ originates from the Arabic term ‘wakufa’, which signifies something set apart for God or funds designated for community benefits. In India, the management of Waqf is mostly self-governing, while in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is largely controlled by the state. In India, Waqf legislation involves minority rights, while in Pakistan and Bangladesh, it is governed by Islamic law.