Breaking news

China Amplifies Tariffs On U.S. Goods To 125% In Strategic Response

by News Editor

April 11, 2025

In a significant geopolitical move, China has announced a dramatic increase in tariffs on imported goods from the United States, pushing rates to 125%. This development is seen as a strategic countermeasure to the U.S.’s imposed 145% tariffs on Chinese exports, further entrenching the ongoing trade battle between these two global powerhouses.

Key Insights

The jump in tariffs represents a 40% escalation from China’s previous rates and underscores the intensifying trade tensions between the nations.
China’s Ministry of Commerce has declared this decision as definitive, hinting that there would be no further retaliations even if the U.S. escalates its tariff policies again.
The Chinese government claims U.S. tariffs are exorbitantly high, violating international norms and economic principles.
This announcement coincided with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s remarks during a meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanche in Beijing, where he emphasized that no one emerges victorious in a tariff war.
President Xi has also urged the European Union to support China against what he describes as U.S. ‘bullying’.

Market Reaction

The announcement negatively affected European stock markets, with key indices dipping. The UK’s FTSE 100 fell by 0.47%, France’s CAC 40 decreased by 0.92%, and Germany’s Dax tumbled by 1.53%. These declines suggest investor pessimism, expecting diminished corporate profits across the board.

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Call for Reform: Cyprus Faces New Challenges with Emerging Tobacco Products

by News Editor

May 31, 2025

In the face of a burgeoning variety of tobacco products, existing smoking laws in Cyprus are struggling to keep pace, as highlighted by Christos Minas, the president of the Cyprus National Addictions Authority (AAEK). On World No-Tobacco Day, there was a push for legislative reforms to comprehensively cover all tobacco forms, including non-nicotine alternatives.

Addressing Rising Trends with Effective Policies

Minas emphasized the surge in popularity of e-cigarettes and flavored products, particularly among the youth. The proposed legal updates aim to enhance enforcement efficiency against these emerging trends.

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In collaboration with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) framework, the AAEK has established the first set of national guidelines for smoking cessation in Cyprus, crafting prevention and treatment strategies based on robust scientific evidence.

Educating Youth and Public Awareness Initiatives

Efforts are underway to raise awareness, with informative materials distributed to secondary schools across Cyprus. A public event in Nicosia highlighted the state’s ongoing commitment, providing carbon monoxide testing and expert advice on new tobacco products.

Recent data from the Cyprus general population survey 2023 indicates that 38% of smokers have used e-cigarettes recently, and the smoking initiation age remains at 18.

A Glimpse into Youth Smoking Patterns

According to the latest European school survey, 14% of Cypriot students aged 15-16 reported smoking traditional cigarettes last month. Although this rate is declining, Cyprus still ranks high in Europe for e-cigarette and hookah use among students.

The concern is global, with WHO reports showing over 37 million children aged 13-15 engage in tobacco use, driven by aggressive marketing in loosely regulated environments.

The urgency for reform is clear: before these trends solidify, proactive measures are necessary to protect future generations from potentially hazardous habits.