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Riyadh, Washington Bolster Strategic Space Partnership

US and Saudi national flags fly over a main road in Riyadh in 2017. (AFP file photo)
US and Saudi national flags fly over a main road in Riyadh in 2017. (AFP file photo)
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Riyadh, Washington Bolster Strategic Space Partnership

US and Saudi national flags fly over a main road in Riyadh in 2017. (AFP file photo)
US and Saudi national flags fly over a main road in Riyadh in 2017. (AFP file photo)

The Saudi Space Agency said that Saudi Arabia and the United States signed on Tuesday a strategic cooperation agreement focused on the exploration and peaceful utilization of outer space.
The agreement aims to enhance US-Saudi cooperation in the field of space and scientific exploration, increase joint investment in various commercial activities.

“The space sector in the Kingdom receives significant interest, support, and empowerment from the wise leadership, recognizing it as the next trillion-dollar economy and a sector that stimulates innovation and inspires generations," the Agency said in a statement.

"Through its ambitious Saudi Vision 2030, the Kingdom aims to strengthen its position in the world of space and the industry of its technologies,” it stated.
The agreement outlines areas of joint work between the two parties, which include space and earth sciences, aeronautics, space missions, education, and many other areas of mutual interest.
Commenting on this step, the Chairman of the Saudi Space Agency, Abdullah Alswaha, stated that “the agreement represents a turning point in the Kingdom’s journey towards building a strong and prosperous space sector."
The CEO of the Saudi Space Agency, Dr. Mohammed Altamimi, underscored the significance of this strategic partnership in identifying areas of mutual interest and fostering collaborative endeavors.

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India Imposes Temporary Tariff on Some Steel to Stem Cheap Imports from China 

A worker stacks pressed steel items at a factory which produces metal products for export, in Binzhou, in China's eastern Shandong province on April 15, 2025. (AFP)
A worker stacks pressed steel items at a factory which produces metal products for export, in Binzhou, in China's eastern Shandong province on April 15, 2025. (AFP)
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India Imposes Temporary Tariff on Some Steel to Stem Cheap Imports from China 

A worker stacks pressed steel items at a factory which produces metal products for export, in Binzhou, in China's eastern Shandong province on April 15, 2025. (AFP)
A worker stacks pressed steel items at a factory which produces metal products for export, in Binzhou, in China's eastern Shandong province on April 15, 2025. (AFP)

India, the world's second-biggest producer of crude steel, on Monday imposed a 12% temporary tariff on some steel imports, locally known as a safeguard duty, to curb a surge in cheap shipments primarily from China.

A flood of Chinese steel in recent years has pushed some Indian mills to scale down operations and mull job cuts, and India is one of a number of countries to have contemplated action to stem imports to protect local industry.

The Ministry of Finance said in an official order that the duty would be effective for 200 days from Monday, "unless revoked, superseded or amended earlier".

The move is New Delhi's first big trade policy shift since US President Donald Trump imposed a wide range of tariffs on countries in April, kicking off a bitter trade war with China.

Tensions over cheap steel imports into India predate that, with the investigation behind the latest move beginning in December.

India's Steel Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy said in a statement the measure is aimed at protecting domestic steel manufacturers from the adverse impact of a surge in imports, and will ensure fair competition in the market.

"This move will provide critical relief to domestic producers, especially small and medium-scale enterprises, who have faced immense pressure from rising imports," Kumaraswamy said.

New Delhi's tariffs are primarily aimed at China, which was the second-biggest exporter of steel to India behind South Korea in 2024/25.

"The decision is along expected lines and we will now wait and see how this measure supports (the) industry and margins and restricts cheap imports into the country," said a senior executive at a leading Indian steel mill.

"The world is impacted by Chinese imports whether directly or indirectly," said the executive.

India was a net importer of finished steel for a second straight year in 2024/25, with shipments reaching a nine-year high of 9.5 million metric tons, according to provisional government data.

New Delhi's leading steelmakers' body - which counts JSW Steel and Tata Steel among members, alongside the Steel Authority of India and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India - has raised concerns over imports and called for curbs.