12 Apr 2025 | 12:14:22 AM IST
Synopsis
US-China Trade Tariff Highlights News Updates: Trump ‘optimistic’ about China deal despite tariff row, as per White House
US-China Trade Tariff Highlights News Updates: US President Donald Trump is “optimistic” about striking a trade deal with China, the White House said Friday, even as the world’s two largest economies clash over tariffs.
“The president has made it very clear he’s open to a deal with China,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding: “He’s optimistic.”
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Here’s the wrap for today
- Fed official says ‘absolutely’ ready to intervene in markets if needed: FT
- Trump ‘optimistic’ about China deal despite tariff row, as per White House
- ‘Several hundred’ Chinese nationals fighting for Russia in Ukraine: Zelensky
- Tariff policy doing really well, very exciting for America and the world: Trump
- Over 15 flights diverted at Delhi airport due to adverse weather conditions
- Bihar assembly polls will be political funeral of CM Nitish Kumar: Prashant Kishor
- AIADMK, BJP announce alliance for Tamil Nadu assembly elections
- US Vice President JD Vance likely to visit India soon
- Erdogan accuses Israel of ‘barbarism’ after new air strike
- JPMorgan Chase CEO Dimon says US bonds still safe place in ‘turbulent’ world
- Dust storm, lightning hit Delhi-NCR after intense heatwave; IMD issues safety advisory
- Plane crash near a major South Florida highway leaves three people dead, one injured
Fed official says ‘absolutely’ ready to intervene in markets if needed: FT
The US Federal Reserve is “absolutely” prepared to intervene to help calm nervous financial markets, a senior central bank official said Friday, after Donald Trump’s tariff plans roiled Wall Street. The Fed would “absolutely be prepared” to deploy its tools to help stabilize the financial markets if the need arose, Boston Fed President Susan Collins said in a Financial Times interview.
Trump ‘optimistic’ on China deal despite tariff spat
US President Donald Trump is “optimistic” about striking a trade deal with China, the White House said Friday, even as the world’s two largest economies clash over tariffs.
“The president has made it very clear he’s open to a deal with China,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters, adding: “He’s optimistic.”
Plane crash near a major South Florida highway leaves three people dead, one injured
Reports AP
Phone conversation between Putin and Trump following meeting with Witkoff is theoretically possible: Kremlin
Maharashtra |A fire broke out at an Aluminium foil manufacturing company in Umred MIDC in Nagpur district. Six people were injured, two of them are critical. They have been shifted to Nagpur Government Medical College and Hospital. More details awaited: Dhanaji Jalak, Police Inspector, Umred Police Station
Fed’s Williams says tariffs will push up inflation, unemployment
UK MPs to debate taking ‘control’ of British Steel plant: Starmer
The UK government will aim to pass emergency legislation after recalling parliament this weekend to “take control” of a British Steel plant in Scunthorpe, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said. On Saturday, MPs will debate “legislation to take control of the plant and to preserve all viable options”, Starmer said, adding that his government would do “everything possible to stop the closure of these blast furnaces”.
EU to probe use of personal data by X’s AI chatbot
Ireland’s data protection watchdog, which acts on behalf of the European Union, launched an inquiry Friday into the use of personal data by Elon Musk’s platform X to train its AI chatbot, Grok. The probe relates to the “processing of personal data comprised in publicly-accessible posts posted on the ‘X’ social media platform”, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission said in a statement.
Nagpur: Seven injured in aluminium unit blast, two critical
Seven injured, including two critically, in explosion in aluminium unit at Umred MIDC in Maharashtra’s Nagpur district: Police
A small plane has crashed in South Florida near a major interstate highway and railroad tracks
Reports AP
Hundreds of Chinese fighting for Russia in Ukraine: Zelenskyy
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Friday that hundreds of Chinese nationals were fighting on the frontline in Ukraine alongside Russia, after accusing Moscow of dragging Beijing into its invasion.
Putin-Witkoff meeting on Ukraine has started: Kremlin
Russian President Vladimir Putin began talks with US President Donald Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Saint Petersburg on Friday, the Kremlin said. Moscow released footage of Putin greeting Witkoff and earlier said the pair would discuss the Ukraine conflict, but that no breakthrough was expected.
Bengal minister on school job loss
Can publish digital Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) sheets of 22 lakh exam candidates after legal advice
Tariff policy great for US, world: Trump
President Donald Trump struck a confident tone on Friday despite his tariff policy triggering worries about the US economy with the dollar falling and markets in turmoil. “We are doing really well on our tariff policy. Very exciting for America, and the World!!! It is moving along quickly,” Trump said on social media.
Major nations agree on first-ever global tax on greenhouse gases with plan that targets shipping
Reports AP
Delhi Weather impact: Over 15 flights diverted at Delhi airport
More than 15 flights were diverted at the Delhi airport on Friday evening due to inclement weather conditions. The national capital witnessed strong dust storms and gusty winds. A source said that over 15 flights were diverted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA).
India sets up global trade helpdesk to tackle tariff shifts
- India foreign trade division actively tracking import surges and export challenges due to tariff changes: Govt notice
- India creating a ‘global tariff and trade helpdesk’ to deal with tariff changes and surge in imports: Govt notice
- India’s tariff and trade help desk will look into financial, banking issues, regulatory, compliance issues among others, for exporters: Govt notice
Dust storm, lightning hit Delhi-NCR after intense heatwave
After several days of intense heat, the weather has taken a turn in the national capital and surrounding regions. This evening, dust storms and lightning were reported across parts of Delhi, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh, with effects expected to continue until 9 pm.
RBI to buy additional bonds worth $4.65 billion in liquidity push
RBI announced an additional round of open market purchase of government securities and a 43-day variable rate repo auction on April 17 to boost liquidity in the banking system. The Reserve Bank of India would buy bonds worth 400 billion rupees ($4.65 billion) and start a 43-day VRR auction for 1.5 trillion rupees. It had on April 1 announced 800 billion rupees in open market operations (OMO), split into four equal tranches. Two of the auctions are yet to take place.
Bihar assembly polls will be political funeral of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar
– Prashant Kishor in Patna
Erdogan accuses Israel of ‘barbarism’
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday lashed out at Israel for a pre-dawn air strike that officials in Gaza said killed 10 members of the same family. “Just this morning, 10 people, including seven children, from the same family were martyred in Khan Yunis. If this is not barbarism, I ask you, what is it?” Erdogan told a diplomacy forum in the southern province of Antalya.
JPMorgan Chase CEO Dimon says US bonds still safe place in ‘turbulent’ world
AFP reports
MCD to hold Mayor, Deputy Mayor elections on April 25
Municipal Corporation of Delhi has called House Meeting on Friday, 25th April 2025 at 2.00 P.M, in which election of Mayor & Deputy Mayor will be held. Last day for nomination is 21st April.
Encounter in Kishtwar
One terrorist killed in encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar. Search operation underway. More details awaited.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah says, “AIADMK joining NDA is a win-win for both NDA and AIADMK.”
Amit Shah: DMK, opposition using delimitation and NEET as distractions
Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, “They (DMK and opposition parties) are raising the issues of delimitation and NEET to distract the people… We will sit with AIADMK (since their stand on these issues is different from the BJP-led NDA) and discuss with them on these issues and if needed, there will be a common minimum programme.”
India’s forex reserves jumped USD 10.872 billion to USD 676.268 billion during the week ended April 4, says RBI
People seeking answers from DMK on number of ‘scams,’ will vote in elections on ‘original issues,’ says Amit Shah in Chennai
ECB ‘ready’ to intervene if trade war threatens financial stability: Lagarde
AIADMK-BJP alliance sealed for 2026 Tamil Nadu elections
2026 Tamil Nadu elections will be fought under AIADMK chief Edappadi Palaniswami, said Amit Shah in Chennai.
US Vice President JD Vance likely to visit India soon, says trade official
A senior Indian trade official has confirmed that US Vice President JD Vance is expected to visit India soon. The visit comes amid renewed efforts to deepen trade ties between the two countries. India is also taking steps to prevent third-country trade diversion and has finalised terms of reference with the US for discussions on the first segment of a bilateral trade agreement.
PM Narendra Modi participates in a programme at Anandpur Dham in Ashoknagar district of Madhya Pradesh.
Tamil Nadu BJP President election: State BJP Vice President Nainar Nagenthiran filed his nomination.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offers prayers at Guruji Maharaj Temple in Isagarh Tehsil, Madhya Pradesh.
IIP rose to 2.9% in February from 5% in January
HK Patil on Karnataka contractors’ allegations
Karnataka Minister HK Patil said, “The Congress had accused the previous BJP government of a 40% commission scam. In the previous BJP government, Nagamohan Das said that bribery had taken place. Regarding the commission’s allegations, the current cabinet meeting has decided to form an SIT and conduct an investigation.”
Karnataka Minister HK Patil on contractors’ allegations
Karnataka Minister HK Patil said, “21 decisions have been made and resolutions passed. The Karnataka Contractors’ Association had made allegations. They have submitted a commission report to the government. That report has been presented. The report was discussed in the cabinet. Out of 3 lakh works, 1729 works have had several allegations against them. The cabinet has taken serious note of this. In some cases, lesser grants were released, but more work was done. In some places, more grants were released, but less work was done. We have recommended that the SIT should suggest action within two months.”
Tamil Nadu: Newly appointed Deputy General Secretary of DMK, Tiruchi Siva, meets DMK President and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin at DMK Headquarters Arivalayam.
West Bengal LoP and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari meets the victims of Mothabari (Malda) violence
He said, “86 huts and houses are damaged; we are talking to everyone.”
Dollar hits more than three-year low against euro on trade war panic
China warns Hong Kong’s last major opposition party to disband, members say
Five senior members of Hong Kong’s Democratic Party, the city’s biggest and last remaining major opposition party, say Chinese officials or middlemen have warned the parties to disband or face serious consequences, including possible arrests.
China hits back at Trump tariff hike, raises duties on US goods to 125%
- Beijing on Friday increased its tariffs on U.S. imports to 125%, hitting back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to hike duties on Chinese goods to 145%, raising the stakes in a trade war that threatens to up-end global supply chains.
- The hike comes after the White House kept the pressure on the world’s No.2 economy and second-biggest provider of U.S. imports by singling it out for an additional tariff increase, having paused most of the “reciprocal” duties imposed on dozens of other countries.
- “The U.S. imposition of abnormally high tariffs on China seriously violates international and economic trade rules, basic economic laws and common sense and is completely unilateral bullying and coercion,” China’s Finance Ministry said in a statement.
China says will ‘ignore’ further US tariff hikes
- China on Friday said it would “ignore” further tariff hikes by the United States because US goods would no longer make economic sense for importers, as it slapped fresh levies of 125 percent on its largest trading partner.
- State media also reported China would file a lawsuit with the World Trade Organization over Washington’s fresh tariffs.
China urges US to cancel ‘reciprocal tariffs’ and correct wrongful practices, says Commerce Ministry
China has strongly urged the United States to take a significant step towards removing the so-called ‘reciprocal tariffs’ imposed on Chinese goods.
China’s Commerce Ministry slams US Tariffs as ‘numbers game’ with no economic impact
China’s Commerce Ministry has responded sharply to the United States’ ongoing imposition of high tariffs, labelling it as a “numbers game” with no real economic impact. The Ministry argues that these measures lack practical significance and fail to benefit either country in the long run.
China to raise tariffs on US goods to 125% from 84%, says Finance Ministry
China will impose 125% tariffs on U.S. goods from Saturday, up from the 84% previously announced, the finance ministry said on Friday.
Myanmar Earthquake: Indian Army has deployed robotic mules and nano drones to assess damaged buildings in Myanmar.
Tesla suspends taking new orders for Model S and Model X on its Chinese Website
Sensex jumps 1,210.68 points to 75,057.83 in early trade; Nifty surges 388.35 points to 22,787.50.
Vietnam hopes to get US duties lowered to 22-28% range from 46%: Sources to Reuters
Cipla: Receives USFDA approval for protein-bound Paclitaxel
Indian Rupee opens up 0.5% at 86.2350 per USD, vs 86.6875 previous close
Earthquake of 4.1 magnitude jolts Myanmar
Maharashtra: A case has been registered at the Vikhroli police station in Mumbai against Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Sunil Raut and former corporator Rashmi Pahudkar under relevant BNS sections for holding a protest in the Vikhroli area of Mumbai without police permission.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address a public meeting and will lay the foundation stone and inaugurate various development projects worth over Rs 3,880 crore in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.
China C.Bank Statement: Will implement a moderately loose monetary policy, support the smooth operation of financial markets, and consolidate the continued recovery of the economy
Saudi crude oil supply to China set to rise to about 48 million barrels in May, sources to Reuters
China’s deputy central bank governor attended ASEAN and China, Japan and South Korea finance and central bank deputies meeting April 8-9
Meeting discussed impact of US tariffs on global and regional macroeconomic situation – China C Bank statement
Pete Hegseth, United States Secretary of Defense, directs termination of IT contracts from Accenture, Deloitte, and others- Pentagon memo
US dollar index falls below 100 for the first time since July 2023
Due to a helicopter crash in the Hudson River, in the vicinity of the West Side Highway and Spring Street, expect emergency vehicles and traffic delays in the surrounding areas: New York City Police Dept
US & India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism: White House after Tahawwur Rana’s extradition
While reacting on the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks accused Tahawwur Rana’s extradition, US Department of State Spokesperson Tammy Bruce says, “On April 9, US extradited Tahawwur Hussain Rana to India to face justice for his role in 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack. This was horrible, and this attack resulted in a loss of 166 lives, including six Americans that shocked the entire world…. As President Trump has said, the US & India will continue to work together to combat the global scourge of terrorism.”
NIA sought 20 days of custody, and after a lot of deliberation, the court has given 18 days of custody. If NIA wants more time, then they will move an application. For the medical tests (the court has given special instructions), they (NIA) have been told that a comprehensive medical test would be done when he’s taken into custody and before he is brought back to court at the end of the remand. All his medical requirements will be taken care of. He (Tahawwur Rana) has requested that anybody representing him in court, especially since we are from DLSA and doing our duty, there should be no public outrage against the lawyers.
– Delhi State Legal Sevices Authority Cousnsel for Tahawwur Rana