US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Wednesday that his country would impose tariffs on virtually all others was widely expected, and yet it was still shocking. Even some uninhabited island territories were not spared, incurring 10 per cent levies on their presumably hypothetical exports. Other tariffs – 54 per cent for China and 30 per cent for South Africa, to name two – will have far more serious consequences for global trade and development.
For numerous world leaders, many Americans and the global markets, Mr Trump’s underlying policy goal remains unclear. He has given contradictory signals – on the one hand, saying the tariffs will make America self-sufficient, and on the other, saying they are a “reciprocal” measure. The former implies permanent protectionism, the latter suggests a strategy to coerce the whole world to address tariffs together. Another reading, based on a different set of past remarks, is that Mr Trump doesn’t mind either scenario, as long as the US achieves a surplus in all its trade relationships.
In the absence of a definitive explanation, for now, the world beyond America’s shores remains in the dark about what it’s in for. In the West, historically the bastion of free trade, a fierce trade war looms between Washington and Europe.
But the spirit of free trade retains some resilience across the world, in no small part because of the enthusiasm with which it has been embraced in the East in recent years. While many used tariffs to get a foothold on the development ladder early on, Asian countries know they have gained more from open markets than they have lost, and they can continue to do so even without American leadership.
When Mr Trump pulled America out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership early in his first term, proponents of the free trade pact between East Asian and North and South American countries feared that would spell its demise. Instead, the TTP morphed into the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), saddled with a clunkier name but more streamlined in the absence of American demands.
Asian countries know they have gained more from open markets than they have lost
In the Middle East, too, many governments have sought to steer themselves in the direction of openness. The UAE has signed a flurry of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements (Cepas) with countries from India to Chile. Several others in the region – including Bahrain, Jordan and Oman – have free trade agreements with America.
Yet the impact of the new tariffs will certainly be felt in this region, particularly among countries still working to build out their manufacturing sectors. Jordan, despite being the first Arab state to sign a free trade deal with the US, has been hit with a 20 per cent levy. Iraq, a long-time US ally with a fragile non-oil economy, faces a tariff of 39 per cent. The economically stronger GCC states are set to face a 10 per cent tariff – Mr Trump’s minimum amount.
Whatever the justification or the end game, there is no doubt Wednesday’s announcement from Washington has set a new, and difficult, cadence for the global economy. But to the extent that it can, the East will likely continue its march towards a freer, rules-based market. It is the way to prosperity. In time, perhaps, free trade’s doubters will rejoin the ranks.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
'Ghostbusters: From Beyond'
Director: Jason Reitman
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace
Rating: 2/5
Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
The%20specs
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ESSENTIALS
The flights
Fly Etihad or Emirates from the UAE to Moscow from 2,763 return per person return including taxes.
Where to stay
Trips on the Golden Eagle Trans-Siberian cost from US$16,995 (Dh62,414) per person, based on two sharing.
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
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The 100 Best Novels in Translation
Boyd Tonkin, Galileo Press
What is the FNC?
The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning.
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval.
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
HIJRA
Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy
Director: Shahad Ameen
Rating: 3/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Read more about the coronavirus
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
The language of diplomacy in 1853
Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)
We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.
Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
The Uefa Awards winners
Uefa Men's Player of the Year: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Uefa Women's Player of the Year: Lucy Bronze (Lyon)
Best players of the 2018/19 Uefa Champions League
Goalkeeper: Alisson (Liverpool)
Defender: Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Midfielder: Frenkie de Jong (Ajax)
Forward: Lionel Messi (Barcelona)
Uefa President's Award: Eric Cantona
The biog
Name: Ayisha Abdulrahman Gareb
Age: 57
From: Kalba
Occupation: Mukrema, though she washes bodies without charge
Favourite things to do: Visiting patients at the hospital and give them the support they need.
Role model: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, Chairwoman of the General Women's Union, Supreme Chairwoman of the Family Development Foundation and President of the Supreme Council for Motherhood and Childhood.
Dengue%20fever%20symptoms
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Biog:
Age: 34
Favourite superhero: Batman
Favourite sport: anything extreme
Favourite person: Muhammad Ali
