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SYDNEY, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Australia's Trade Minister Don Farrell has dangled easier access to the country's vast critical minerals sector as part of negotiations over a free trade agreement with the European Union ahead of possible further talks as soon as next week. Farrell told Reuters in an interview on Thursday that a free trade agreement would simplify European investment in the country's burgeoning critical minerals sector, in part by smoothing access through mandatory Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) screening. "One of the big advantages we've got in this relationship is our access to critical minerals, rare earths, hydrogen and ammonia," Farrell said. "Other countries are looking to invest in our critical minerals and other renewables. Australia was an especially attractive place for critical minerals investment from the United States under U.S. Inflation Reduction Act rules because it was one of the few countries to have both mineral deposits and a free trade agreement with the U.S., said Farrell.

Persons: Don Farrell, Farrell, China, we've, they've, Annalena Baerbock, teleconference, Dombrovskis, Lewis Jackson, Kirsty Needham, Michael Perry Organizations: SYDNEY, Australia's Trade, European Union, Reuters, Investment, Board, Foreign, U.S, EU, Trade, Thomson Locations: Australia, Germany, China, Sydney, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, United States

☆ Exclusive: German guarantees for China investments plummet -document
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Andreas Rinke | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The flags of Germany and China are seen ahead of a meeting between German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Berlin, Germany, June 19, 2023. Only 51.9 million euros ($56.26 million) in guarantees have been issued so far this year, according to the document seen by Reuters, less than a tenth of the 745.9 million euros in guarantees issued over the whole of last year. Slowing growth, however, has concentrated minds in Berlin, where officials fret that ever-more-advanced Chinese manufacturing poses a threat to Germany's economic model. "China has changed, and that's why our policy towards China also needs to change," Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Tuesday. Companies can invest without government guarantees, meaning real changes in levels of German FDI in China may have fallen by less.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Li Qiang, Fabrizio Bensch, Annalena Baerbock, Andreas Rinke, Thomas Escritt, Rachel Armstrong, Kirsti, Marguerita Choy Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Reuters, Germany's, Companies, U.S, Thomson Locations: Germany, China, Berlin, Ukraine

☆ Infineon boosts Malaysia investment as Q3 revenue above forecast
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

For the full year, Infineon expects investments amounting to approximately 3 billion euros. The planned expansion of the Kulim fab is backed by customer commitments covering about 5 billion euros and about 1 billion euros in pre-payments, said Infineon, which said it would invest up to an additional 5 billion euros over the next five years. The company expects the expanded facility - together with its plant in Villach, Austria - to generate annual revenues of 7 billion euros. The company on Thursday confirmed its revenue outlook of around 16.2 billion euros, which it had raised in May. Infineon's third-quarter adjusted, or "segment", result was down 10% from the previous quarter at 1.067 billion euros, while its margin came in slightly lower than expected, at 26.1%.

Persons: Robert Habeck, Annalena Baerbock's, Annegret, Schwarz, Jochen Hanebeck, Ford, China's Cherry, Infineon's, Miranda Murray, Christina Amann, Friederike Heine, William Mallard Organizations: Infineon Technologies, REUTERS, Infineon, Lang, Semiconductor, SAIC, Thomson Locations: Dresden, Germany, Malaysia, BERLIN, electromobility, Villach, Austria

☆ Infineon shares slump on Q4 warning, eyes Malaysia expansion
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Infineon forecast revenue of around 4 billion euros ($4.37 billion) in the fourth quarter, below expectations of 4.14 billion euros, according to IBES data from Refinitiv. The company, however, confirmed its revenue outlook of around 16.2 billion euros, which it had raised in May. Infineon's third-quarter adjusted result was down 10% from the previous quarter at 1.067 billion euros, while its margin came in slightly lower than expected, at 26.1%. MALAYSIA FACTORYInfineon said it will invest 5 billion euros over the next five years to build a power chip plant in Malaysia, on top of the 2 billion euros investment it had planned last year. For the full year, Infineon expects investments amounting to approximately 3 billion euros.

Persons: Robert Habeck, Annalena Baerbock's, Annegret, Gartner, Jochen Hanebeck, Infineon's, China's Cherry, Miranda Murray, Christina Amann, Friederike Heine, William Mallard, Kim Coghill Organizations: Infineon Technologies, REUTERS, Infineon, AMD, Qualcomm, JPMorgan, Semiconductor, MALAYSIA, Ford, SAIC, Thomson Locations: Dresden, Germany, Malaysia, Refinitiv, Infineon's, Villach, Austria, German

☆ Niger junta says it will not back down despite 'inhumane' sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Camillus Eboh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

In a televised address, Abdourahamane Tiani said the junta "rejects these sanctions altogether and refuses to give into any threats, wherever they come from. Nigeria cut power supplies to Niger, a Niger state utility document showed on Wednesday, while truckers in Niamey were stranded by border closures - early signs of fallout from the bloc's sweeping sanctions that Tiani described as "illegal, unjust, and inhumane." "The task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications," said General Christopher Musa, Nigeria's Chief of Defence and Chairman of the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs. In a further sign of the mounting pressure on the junta, the World Bank on Wednesday suspended disbursements to Niger until further notice. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Abdourahamane Tiani, Abdel, Fatau Musah, Christopher Musa, James, Bola Tinubu, Annalena Baerbock, Camillus Eboh, Felix Onuah, Christophe Van Der Perre, Ingrid Melander, Nellie Peyton, Alessandra Prentice, Alex Richardson, Nick Macfie, Grant McCool Organizations: Islamists, West African, West African States, ECOWAS, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, Defence, ECOWAS Defence Chiefs, REUTERS, British, World Bank, European Union, Islamic, Union, Thomson Locations: Niger, Abuja Niger, Islamists Mali, Burkina Faso, NIAMEY, ABUJA, West Africa, Mali, Guinea, Bissau, Nigerian, Abuja, Nigeria, Niamey, Nigeria's, Nigerien, disbursements, States, France, Italy, Paris, Rome, United States, Germany, al Qaeda, Islamic State

☆ West African bloc sends mission to Niger to negotiate with coup leaders
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Camillus Eboh | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

Nigerien security forces prepare to disperse pro-junta demonstrators gathered outside the French embassy, in Niamey, the capital city of Niger July 30, 2023. The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has imposed sanctions on Niger and threatened to authorise the use of force if the coup leaders do not reinstate elected President Mohamed Bazoum within a week from last Sunday. "There is a need to demonstrate that we cannot only bark but can bite," he told reporters, as regional defence chiefs started a two-day meeting in the Nigerian capital Abuja. "The task of restoring democratic governance in Niger is fraught with potential hurdles and complications," said General Christopher Musa, Nigeria's Chief of Defence and Chairman of the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs. Niger is the world's seventh-biggest producer of uranium, the radioactive metal widely used for nuclear energy and treating cancer.

Persons: Mohamed Bazoum, Abdel, Fatau Musah, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Abubakar, Christopher Musa, Abdourahmane Tiani, Bazoum, James, Bola Tinubu, Annalena Baerbock, Charles, Camillus Eboh, Felix Onuah, Christophe Van Der Perre, Ingrid Melander, Nellie Peyton, Alex Richardson, Nick Macfie Organizations: REUTERS, Abuja Junta, Islamists, African, ECOWAS, West African States, Political Affairs, Peace, Security, Defence, ECOWAS Defence Chiefs, British, European Union, Reuters, Islamic, Union, Thomson Locations: Niamey, Niger, Abuja, Islamists Mali, Burkina Faso, NIAMEY, ABUJA, Nigerian, West Africa, Mali, Guinea, Bissau, Nigeria's, France, Italy, Paris, Rome, United States, Germany, al Qaeda, Islamic State

☆ Germany’s China policy makes life easier for its companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Yawen Chen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Back then one idea was to aggressively push for companies to disclose details of their China business, and even to stress-test their exposure, according to a draft seen by Reuters. The compromise likely stems from the realisation that China is simply too strategic to quit quickly without inflicting significant pain. A survey conducted by the ifo Institute showed that half of German firms in the manufacturing sector currently depend on important intermediate inputs from China. Even so, executives will be relieved they can for the most part undertake China de-risking at their own pace. Follow @ywchen1 on TwitterCONTEXT NEWSGermany’s first China strategy, published on July 13, outlined possible responses to an "increasingly assertive" Beijing, such as adjusting export controls and outbound investment restrictions.

Persons: Martin, Thomas Schäfer, Brudermüller, “, Li Qiang, George Hay, Streisand Neto Organizations: Reuters, BASF, Volkswagen, Greens, Reuters Breakingviews, BASF ”, ifo, Reuters Graphics Reuters, Union, VW, European Union, Thomson Locations: China, Berlin, People’s Republic, Brussels, Washington, Taiwan, Republic, Germany, Beijing

☆ Germany’s China policy caps pain for its companies
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Yawen Chen | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Back then one idea was to aggressively push for companies to disclose details of their China business, and even to stress-test their exposure, according to a draft seen by Reuters. The compromise likely stems from the realisation that China is simply too strategic to quit quickly without inflicting significant pain. The People’s Republic is also Volkswagen's largest market, accounting for around 40% of Volkswagen's global unit sales in 2022. Even so, executives will be relieved they can for the most part undertake China de-risking at their own pace. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsFollow @ywchen1 on TwitterCONTEXT NEWSGermany’s first China strategy, published on July 13, outlined possible responses to an "increasingly assertive" Beijing, such as adjusting export controls and outbound investment restrictions.

☆ Germany urges companies to 'de-risk' from China, emphasizes it is not seeking a decoupling
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-14 | by ( Sheila Chiang | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Germany said there is an urgent need for companies to de-risk from China, while "not pursuing a decoupling" of economies. "For Germany, China remains a partner, a competitor, a systemic rival. The minister was presenting the country's strategy on China and explaining how the country plans to protect its interests. "China's economic strategy aims to make it less dependent on other countries, while making international production chains more dependent on China," the foreign ministry said in a 64-page report published Thursday. "In terms of foreign policy, China is pursuing its own interests far more assertively and is attempting in various ways to reshape the existing rules‑ based international order.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Li Qiang, Annalena Baerbock Organizations: Mercator Institute for China Studies Locations: Berlin, Germany, China, Europe

☆ Germany Says China Trade Could Create Perilous Dependence
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-13 | by ( Melissa Eddy | More About Melissa Eddy | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The new policy calls for export controls and the screening of investments by German companies doing business in China to protect the flow of sensitive technology and know-how. The strategy echoes themes from the European Union that urge “de-risking” ties with China. “We do not want to decouple from China, but minimize our risks. This includes strengthening our European economy as well as reducing dependencies,” said Annalena Baerbock, Germany’s foreign minister. “The more diverse trade and supply chains are set up, the more resilient our country is,” she added.

Persons: Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s, “, ”, Annalena Baerbock Organizations: European Union Locations: China

☆ Reactions to Turkey backing Sweden's NATO entry
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Erdogan agreed to forward the membership bid to parliament, appearing to end months of drama over an issue that had strained the bloc. STATEMENT FOLLOWING TURKEY-SWEDEN-NATO MEETING"Both Türkiye and Sweden will look to maximise opportunities to increase bilateral trade and investments. U.S. PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN"I welcome the statement issued by Türkiye, Sweden and the NATO Secretary General this evening," he said in a statement. GERMAN FOREIGN MINISTER ANNALENA BAERBOCK"Good news from Vilnius: the path is finally clear for Turkey's ratification of Sweden's #NATO membership. FRENCH FOREIGN MINISTER CATHERINE COLONNA"I welcome Turkey's announcement of its intention to ratify Sweden's adhesion protocol to NATO and I hope that it happens quickly.

Persons: Tayyip Erdogan, Erdogan, GENERAL JENS STOLTENBERG, I'm, ULF KRISTERSSON, JOE BIDEN, ANNALENA BAERBOCK, JOSEP BORRELL, RISHI SUNAK, CATHERINE COLONNA, Costas Pitas, Maria Martinez, John Irish, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: NATO, GENERAL, EU, Türkiye Customs, U.S, Türkiye, Twitter, Alliance, Thomson Locations: Russia, Ukraine, NATO, Sweden, TURKEY, SWEDEN, Türkiye's, Vilnius, EU, Europe

Cluster munitions could boost Ukraine's counteroffensive to reclaim territory seized since Russia invaded in February 2022. Cluster munitions typically release large numbers of smaller bomblets that can kill indiscriminately over a wide area. Germany is one of 111 states party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, a pact that does not include the United States. Biden waived prohibitions around the munitions, just as his predecessor Donald Trump did in 2021 to allow the export of cluster munitions technology to South Korea. 'VERY SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTION'Ukraine previously had urged U.S. lawmakers to press the Biden administration to approve sending cluster munitions.

Persons: Jake Sullivan, Joe Biden's, Sullivan, we've, Biden, Bradley, Antonio Guterres, Annalena Baerbock, Biden's, Donald Trump, Mykhailo Podolyak, Podolyak, Mike Stone, Nandita Bose, Steve Holland, Will Dunham, Grant McCool Organizations: United States, Pentagon, Russia, U.S . National Security, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, Stryker, Human Rights Watch, Cluster Munitions, Republicans, U.S . House, Representatives Foreign, U.S, Army Tactical Missile, Munitions, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, Russia, U.S, Ukrainian, Germany, United States, Britain, South Korea, Russian

☆ EU says aborted Russia mutiny shows Moscow's military power is 'cracking'
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, June 26 (Reuters) - European Union foreign ministers on Monday said an aborted mutiny in Russia at the weekend showed Moscow's war in Ukraine was causing domestic instability and undermining its military power, but stressed their focus remained on supporting Kyiv. "The political system is showing fragilities, and the military power is cracking," EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell told reporters in Luxembourg as he arrived for a meeting with ministers from across the 27-member bloc. "The monster that Putin created with Wagner, the monster is biting him now, the monster is acting against his creator." German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said Putin was destroying his own country with his "brutal war of aggression" in Ukraine. Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen suggested the weekend's events showed Putin's hold on power was not as strong as it seemed.

Persons: Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, Josep Borrell, Borrell, Vladimir Putin, Prigozhin's Wagner, Putin, Annalena Baerbock, Yves Herman, Baerbock, Jean Asselborn, Alexander Schallenberg, Elina Valtonen, Sabine Siebold, Bart Meijer, Andrew Gray, Conor Humphries Organizations: Union, Kyiv, Moscow, EU, European Commission, REUTERS, Austrian, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Russia, Ukraine, EU, Luxembourg, Brussels, Belgium, Russia's, Europe, Finnish

☆ As growth stalls for the U.S. and China, Blinken talked up economic ties in high-stakes Beijing trip
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( Evelyn Cheng | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Leah Millis | Afp | Getty ImagesBEIJING — Secretary of State Antony Blinken underscored the importance of the economic aspects of the bilateral U.S.-China relationship during his high-stakes trip to Beijing earlier this week. The German Chamber of Commerce in China said that during her Beijing trip, Baerbock visited German company Flender, a gearbox manufacturer. Chairman Colm Rafferty and Vice Chair Roberta Lipson attended the meeting with Blinken on behalf of AmCham China. Slowing growthRegulatory challenges aside, a more pressing issue for businesses is slower economic growth in China and the U.S. in the last few months. He said the growth of major economies such as China is in the U.S. interest and described the economic relationship as "vitally important."

Persons: Antony Blinken, Xi Jinping, Leah Millis, Blinken, Michael Hart, Hart, Annalena Baerbock, Baerbock, Colm Rafferty, Roberta Lipson, AmCham, Xi, Gabriel Wildau, Teneo, Central Foreign Affairs Office Wang Yi, Qin, Trump, Yellen, Joe Biden, it's, Biden Organizations: of, People, Afp, Getty, BEIJING —, State Department, American Chamber of Commerce, CNBC, German, of Commerce, The U.S . Department, State, Communist, Central Foreign Affairs Office, Qin Gang, U.S . Federal Reserve Locations: Beijing, BEIJING, U.S, China, AmCham China, The, China U.S, Taiwan

REUTERS/Fabrizio BenschSummarySummary Companies Germany unveils first ever National Security StrategyDocument reflects growing focus on security over economyContains strong criticism of China but does not mention TaiwanImplementation could be hampered by lack of Security CouncilBERLIN, June 14 (Reuters) - China poses a growing threat to global security, Germany said in its first national security strategy on Wednesday, underscoring Berlin's shift in emphasis from economic interests to geopolitics following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. It also omits some major issues, such as Taiwan, and as expected, does not create a National Security Council that would help its implementation. "We paid for every cubic metre of Russian gas twofold and threefold with our national security." Russia is the top threat to European peace "for now", the National Security Strategy (NSS) said. "The good thing is that German companies are drawing similar conclusions to the German federal government," she said.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, Fabrizio Bensch, cyberattacks, Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Annalena Baerbock, Ola Kaellenius, Baerbock, Noah Barkin, Norbert Roettgen, Scholz, Christian Lindner, Andreas Rinke, Miranda Murray, Rachel More, Madeline Chambers, Christoph Steitz, Angus MacSwan, Mark Potter, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Germany, Security, BERLIN, Security Council, National Security, NSS, Volkswagen, BASF, BMW, Benz, NATO, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Berlin, Germany, China, Taiwan, Ukraine, Beijing, Asia, Russia, Moscow, Europe, Moldova, Georgia

"All allies agree that Moscow does not have a veto against NATO enlargement," Stoltenberg told reporters as NATO foreign ministers gathered in Oslo, seeking to dispel any signs of discord ahead of the summit. At the Vilnius summit, NATO leaders aim to send a strong message of support to Kyiv. But with only six weeks to go, pressure is building for allies to find common ground on what exactly to offer Ukraine. Lithuania's Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said Kyiv had suffered two invasions while waiting for an answer from NATO for 14 years. "Ukraine needs to get a clear path, and the next steps, on how to enter NATO," Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said.

Persons: Jens Stoltenberg, Stoltenberg, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Gabrielius Landsbergis, Margus Tsahkna, Annalena Baerbock, Luxembourg's Jean Asselborn, Sabine Siebold, Gwladys Fouche, Terje Solsvik, Benoit Van Overstraeten, Bart Meijer, Charlotte Van Campenhout, Alezander, Boldizsar, Bart H, Meijer, Ros Russell Organizations: NATO, Kyiv, Ukraine, Lithuania's, Estonian, Thomson Locations: OSLO, Moscow, Ukraine, Vilnius, Oslo, Moldova, Kyiv, Europe, United States, Germany, Russia, Estonian, Luxembourg, Hungary, NATO, Brussels, Alezander Tanas, Chisinau, Olena, Budapest

☆ Zelenskiy: Ukraine, West can make Russia's defeat 'irreversible' this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

KYIV, May 14 (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Sunday that Kyiv and its Western supporters could make Russia's defeat in the war in Ukraine "irreversible" this year, as he thanked Germany for its military support. The Ukrainian leader told a joint news conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin that Kyiv would always be grateful to Germany for its support during Russia's full-scale invasion. "Now is the time for us to determine the end of the war already this year, we can make the aggressor's defeat irreversible already this year," he said. "The war is happening on the territory of our country and so any peace plan will be based on Ukraine's proposals," he said. Reporting by Pavel Polityuk Writing by Tom Balmforth Editing by David GoodmanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ China Seeks to Pry Europe Away From Washington
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Laurence Norman | Austin Ramzy | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock with her Chinese counterpart, Qin Gang, after talks in Berlin. Photo: Thomas Trutschel/Zuma PressBERLIN—China’s foreign minister is crisscrossing Europe this week in a bid to peel the continent away from the growing confrontation between Beijing and Washington, warning that European interests would be harmed by toeing the U.S.’s approach. A three-capital trip by Qin Gang, his first solo trip to the region since becoming China’s foreign minister, comes at a pivotal moment for China’s relationship with the bloc.

BERLIN, May 9 (Reuters) - Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said on Tuesday that Beijing would maintain lines of communication with all parties to the war in Ukraine, including Germany, in seeking a ceasefire. European nations have repeatedly criticised China for its refusal to describe Russia's war in Ukraine as an invasion, or to call for a Russian withdrawal. "China is willing to maintain communication with relevant parties, including Germany, to achieve an early ceasefire." Qin said Beijing "firmly opposes some countries in using their so-called laws to impose long-arm jurisdiction and unilateral sanctions on other countries, including China". He added: "China will make necessary responses and resolutely safeguard the legitimate rights and legitimate interests of Chinese enterprises."

☆ Russia's war on Ukraine latest: Russia marks Victory Day with new attacks on Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

* European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed Ukraine as "the beating heart of today's European values" in a deeply symbolic visit to Kyiv on Tuesday as Russia marked its World War Two Victory Day. CONFLICT* Russia's defence ministry said its forces had launched missile strikes at targets across Ukraine overnight, disrupting Kyiv's supplies of ammunition to the frontline and troop movements. * Ukraine said its air defences shot down 23 of 25 missiles, fired chiefly at Kyiv, and there were no reported casualties. * Russian mercenary chief Yevgeny Prigozhin made a cryptic, profanity-laced comment about those in charge of Russia's war on Ukraine. INTERNATIONAL* Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang said Beijing would maintain lines of communication with all parties to the war in Ukraine, including Germany, in seeking a ceasefire.

☆ China Woos European Leaders on Trip Overshadowed by Kremlin Ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Steven Erlanger | Erika Solomon | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

China’s top diplomat set out on a three-nation trip Tuesday to persuade European leaders that they can do business with Beijing, even as the Chinese tried to keep faith with their “unlimited partnership” with a Russia that has plunged Europe into war. But arriving in Berlin, Foreign Minister Qin Gang was quickly confronted about the war in Ukraine. “Neutrality means taking the side of the aggressor, and that is why our guiding principle is to make it clear that we are on the side of the victim,” the German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, declared at a joint news conference after they met. Beijing, she said, could be doing much more to help bring the war to an end. Mr. Qin defended his nation’s approach.

☆ COP28 president says fossil fuels still have a role to play, prompting concerns about climate summit’s goals
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-03 | by ( Laura Paddison | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

In March, European countries agreed to promote a global phase-out of fossil fuels in a text setting out their priorities for COP28. “The shift towards a climate neutral economy will require the global phase-out of unabated fossil fuels,” the text said. Al Jaber emphasized the role of technologies like carbon capture in reducing planet-heating pollution. “All indicators… are telling us that we are way off track,” said Al Jaber. We have to get out of fossil fuels, we have to dramatically reduce emissions.”“it is no longer about visions.

☆ G7 nations considering near-total ban on exports to Russia -Kyodo
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Japan's Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi, Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, Italy's Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, and Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) Enrique Mora pose for photographs at the start of the fifth working session of a G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting at the Prince Karuizawa hotel in Karuizawa on April 18, 2023. YUICHI YAMAZAKI/Pool via REUTERSTOKYO, April 21 (Reuters) - The Group of Seven (G7) countries are considering a near-total ban on exports to Russia, Kyodo news agency reported on Friday, citing Japanese government sources. Bloomberg news on Thursday also reported that the United States and Ukraine's allies were considering "an outright ban on most exports to Russia". That report said officials from G7 nations were discussing the idea before a summit meeting in Japan next month. "What is important for ending Russian aggression as soon as possible is that G7 remains united for severe sanctions against Russia and strong support for Ukraine," he told a press briefing.

☆ Germany's foreign minister: Parts of China trip 'more than shocking'
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-19 | by ( Alexander Ratz | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock speaks during a joint press conference with Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (not pictured) at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, China, April 14, 2023. Suo Takekuma/Pool via REUTERS/File PhotoBERLIN, April 19 (Reuters) - German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on Wednesday described parts of her recent trip to China as "more than shocking" and said Beijing was increasingly becoming a systemic rival more than a trade partner and competitor. Beijing in turn asked Germany to support Taiwan's "reunification" and said China and Germany were not adversaries but partners. Speaking to the German Bundestag (lower house of parliament) on Wednesday about her China trip, Baerbock said "some of it was really more than shocking". China is Germany's largest trading partner, said Baerbock, but this did not mean Beijing was also Germany's most important trading partner.

"The message is the same across the G7: that we want to work with China in those areas where China is prepared to work with us," a senior U.S. State Department official told reporters on a call. "We are certainly going to stand up against any coercion, any market manipulation, any efforts to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait," the official added. Beijing views Taiwan as Chinese territory and has not renounced the use of force to take the democratically governed island. China is increasingly trying to replace international rules with "its own rules", German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Monday on the sidelines of the G7 meeting. China's top diplomat Wang Yi "hopes and believes" Germany will support China's "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan, the Chinese foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday.

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