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Saudi Arabia Recycles 100,000 Electronic Devices to Limit Environmental Impact

The Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Arabia Recycles 100,000 Electronic Devices to Limit Environmental Impact

The Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
The Saudi capital, Riyadh. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

Saudi Arabia was able to recycle more than 100,000 electronic devices to reduce their environmental damage as part of an effort to build a sustainable digital future that supports the efficient use of resources.

A recent report by the Communications, Space and Technology Commission, a copy of which was reviewed by Asharq Al-Awsat, showed the Kingdom’s efforts in harnessing modern technologies and creating innovative business models that contribute to building a sustainable future.

These efforts are in line with Saudi Arabia’s digital sustainability strategy, which seeks to promote circular digital economy initiatives and develop regulations to reduce electronic waste in three countries.

At the 28th Conference of the Parties, the International Telecommunication Union and more than 40 partners, including governments, companies and United Nations agencies, launched the Green Digital Action Initiative to promote digital initiatives.

The Saudi Communications Authority led the efforts in the digital economy, one of the initiative’s six tracks, which demonstrates the importance of cooperation between government and industry to fill the gaps in electronic waste management for the sake of a renewable economy.

The Authority launched a set of tools to develop digital sustainability strategies in cooperation with the Digital Cooperation Organization, which includes five detailed steps, starting with raising awareness, achieving best practices, developing the strategy, promoting coordination with relevant stakeholders and finally starting the implementation phase.

These tools demonstrate the Kingdom’s commitment to contributing to the green economy and exchanging experiences with the international community to ensure the adoption of best practices to reach sustainable societies.

The report also showed that $649 billion was earmarked to support the adoption of environmental, social and corporate governance practices in 2021, an increase of 227 percent from 2019.

Saudi Arabia’s continued investments in its digital infrastructure over the past years qualify the Kingdom to be a leader in digital sustainability commitments globally, the report underlined, adding that the Communications, Space and Technology Commission is prepared to become one of the most advanced fifth-generation digital regulatory bodies at the international level.

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China Exempts Some Goods from US Tariffs to Limit trade War Pain

TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
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China Exempts Some Goods from US Tariffs to Limit trade War Pain

TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT
TOPSHOT - An aerial view shows cargo containers stacked at a port in Shanghai on April 20, 2025. (Photo by AFP) / China OUT

China has exempted some US imports from its 125% tariffs and is asking firms to identify critical goods they need levy-free, according to businesses notified, in the clearest sign yet of Beijing's concerns about the trade war's economic fallout.

The dispensation, which follows de-escalatory statements from Washington, signals that the world's two largest economies were prepared to rein in their conflict, which had frozen much of the trade between them, raising fears of a global recession.

Beijing's exemptions - which business groups hope would extend to dozens of industries - pushed the US dollar up slightly and lifted equity markets in Hong Kong and Japan.

“As a quid-pro-quo move, it could provide a potential way to de-escalate tensions," said Alfredo Montufar-Helu, a senior adviser to the Conference Board's China Center, a think tank.

But, he cautioned: "It’s clear that neither the US nor China want to be the first in reaching out for a deal."

China has not yet communicated publicly on any exemptions. A Friday statement by the Politburo, the Communist Party's elite decision-making body, focused on efforts to maintain stability at home by supporting firms and workers most affected by tariffs.

The readout, which followed the Politburo's regular monthly meeting, showed that Beijing was also ready to hunker down and fight a trade war of attrition if needed to outlast Washington in enduring the pain from the breakdown of their relationship.

A Ministry of Commerce taskforce is collecting lists of items that could be exempted from tariffs and is asking companies to submit their own requests, according to a person with knowledge of that outreach.

The ministry said on Thursday it had held a meeting with more than 80 foreign companies and business chambers in China to discuss the impact of US tariffs on investment and the operation of foreign firms in the country.

"The Chinese government, for example, has been asking our companies what sort of things are you importing to China from the US that you cannot find anywhere else and so would shut down your supply chain," American Chamber of Commerce in China President Michael Hart said.

Hart added some member pharmaceutical companies had reported being able to import drugs to China without tariffs. He believed the exemptions were drug-specific, not industry-wide.

The chief executive of French aircraft engine maker Safran said on Friday it had been informed last night that China had granted tariff exemptions on "a certain number of aerospace equipment parts" including engines and landing gear.

The tariff exemptions under consideration by Beijing could provide cost relief for companies in China and take pressure off US exports at a time when the Trump administration has shown signs of wanting to make a deal with Beijing.

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in China also said it had raised the issue of tariff exemptions with the commerce ministry and was awaiting a response.

"Many of our member companies are significantly impacted by the tariffs on critical components imported from the US," President Jens Eskelund said.

A list of 131 categories of products said to be under consideration for tariff exemptions was circulating on Chinese social media platforms and among some businesses and trade groups on Friday. Reuters could not verify the list, which included items ranging from vaccines and chemicals to jet engines.

Huatai Securities said the list corresponded to $45 billion worth of imports to China last year.

China's customs agency and Ministry of Commerce did not reply to requests for comment. China's foreign ministry said it was not familiar with tariff exemption plans, redirecting queries to "relevant authorities".