News
China Warns U.S. Against Tariff Escalation Amid Rare Earths Dispute
China has vowed not to back down in the face of U.S. tariff threats, warning that it will take “resolute countermeasures” if Washington proceeds with new import taxes, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Sunday.
“China’s stance is consistent,” the ministry said in an online statement. “We do not want a tariff war, but we are not afraid of one.”
The warning came two days after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 100 percent tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1. The move was reportedly a response to Beijing’s new restrictions on the export of rare earth elements — critical minerals used in technologies ranging from electric vehicles and smartphones to radar systems and jet engines.
In a post presented as a Q&A with an unnamed ministry spokesperson, Beijing urged Washington to resolve trade differences “through dialogue, not coercion.” The ministry cautioned that “frequently resorting to the threat of high tariffs is not the correct way to get along with China,” adding that if the U.S. “obstinately insists on its practice,” China will act to defend its legitimate interests.
The exchange threatens to reignite a tariff confrontation between the world’s two largest economies and casts doubt over a potential meeting between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Earlier this year, both nations had briefly imposed tariffs exceeding 100 percent before agreeing to a truce.
Trump accused China of “becoming very hostile” and of “holding the world captive” by limiting access to rare earth metals and magnets. China’s new rules require foreign firms to obtain special approval to export products containing even trace amounts of Chinese-sourced rare earths — minerals essential to both commercial and military applications.
Beijing maintains that the restrictions are aimed at ensuring responsible resource management and protecting national security. The Commerce Ministry said export licenses would continue to be granted for “legitimate civilian uses” but noted that the minerals’ strategic value necessitated tighter oversight.
China dominates the global rare earths market, accounting for nearly 70 percent of global mining and around 90 percent of processing. The country’s control over the supply chain has become a focal point in trade tensions with Washington, as the U.S. seeks to diversify supply sources and reduce dependence on Chinese materials.
The ministry also criticized recent U.S. actions, including the expansion of export controls on Chinese firms and the introduction of new port fees on Chinese vessels set to take effect Tuesday. In retaliation, Beijing announced on Friday that it would impose reciprocal fees on American ships.
With both sides trading new economic blows, the fragile calm in U.S.–China trade relations appears increasingly at risk, raising fears of another round of global market turbulence.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
News
White House Unveils “Media Hall of Shame” Portal as Attacks on Press Intensify
News
Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
-
Entertainment1 year agoMeta Acquires Tilda Swinton VR Doc ‘Impulse: Playing With Reality’
-
Business2 years agoSaudi Arabia’s Model for Sustainable Aviation Practices
-
Business2 years agoRecent Developments in Small Business Taxes
-
Home Improvement1 year agoEffective Drain Cleaning: A Key to a Healthy Plumbing System
-
Politics2 years agoWho was Ebrahim Raisi and his status in Iranian Politics?
-
Business1 year agoCarrectly: Revolutionizing Car Care in Chicago
-
Sports1 year agoKeely Hodgkinson Wins Britain’s First Athletics Gold at Paris Olympics in 800m
-
Business1 year agoSaudi Arabia: Foreign Direct Investment Rises by 5.6% in Q1
