Trump Says Did Not Discuss Tariffs During Summit with Xi

Shipping containers are piled at the Port of Los Angeles, California, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)
Shipping containers are piled at the Port of Los Angeles, California, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)
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Trump Says Did Not Discuss Tariffs During Summit with Xi

Shipping containers are piled at the Port of Los Angeles, California, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)
Shipping containers are piled at the Port of Los Angeles, California, on May 9, 2026. (AFP)

US President Donald Trump said Friday he did not bring up the issue of tariffs during a landmark summit with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

Returning to Washington after making what he called "fantastic trade deals" with Beijing, Trump said on tariffs: "We didn't discuss those... It wasn't brought up."

The pair had been widely expected to discuss extending the one-year tariff truce reached during their last meeting in October in South Korea.

The truce brought a pause to a blistering trade war that had seen tariffs on many goods exceed 100 percent.

Conditions have shifted since.

The deal saw Washington maintain some tariffs over China's alleged role in global fentanyl supply chains and accusations of unfair practices.

But the US Supreme Court in February struck down many of Trump's duties, including those imposed over drug trafficking.

The White House quickly moved to impose a 10-percent global tariff using temporary powers, and opened investigations that could lead to more lasting duties.

The 10-percent global tariff has also been challenged in US courts.

Trump had arrived in Beijing earlier this week seeking to seal accords in sectors including agriculture, aviation and artificial intelligence.

After the first day wrapped, Trump said Xi had agreed to help open the Strait of Hormuz, as well as buy Boeing jets and American oil and soybeans.

But there have been no formal announcements, and the Chinese foreign ministry would not confirm or deny Trump's statements when asked on Friday afternoon.



Container Ship Arrives in UK After Voyage from China via Arctic

The Dubai Tower, a Chinese cargo ship, arrives in Teesport, Britain, September 9, 2026. (Reuters)
The Dubai Tower, a Chinese cargo ship, arrives in Teesport, Britain, September 9, 2026. (Reuters)
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Container Ship Arrives in UK After Voyage from China via Arctic

The Dubai Tower, a Chinese cargo ship, arrives in Teesport, Britain, September 9, 2026. (Reuters)
The Dubai Tower, a Chinese cargo ship, arrives in Teesport, Britain, September 9, 2026. (Reuters)

A ‌container ship arrived in Britain on Wednesday after a landmark voyage from China via the Arctic, as part of plans for more vessels to use the route as a shorter and potentially safer alternative to the Suez Canal.

The Dubai ‌Tower arrived ‌at Teesport off England's ‌northeast coast ⁠after leaving eastern ⁠China on August 15.

The Arctic voyage, which is significantly quicker compared to freighters going through the Suez Canal or around the Cape of Good ⁠Hope, is intended to ‌be the ‌start of a regular container service ‌to Europe via the so-called ‌North Sea Route.

A South Korean container ship is also currently making a similar voyage, joining China and ‌Russia in having shipping firms testing cargo services along ⁠the ⁠route, which is more feasible due to faster melting of Arctic sea ice.

The route offers shorter journeys and avoids security risks in the Middle East, as the US war with Iran continues. But weather and sailing conditions can be unpredictable and its commercial feasibility is uncertain.


Riyadh Ranked Among Top 100 Global Innovation Clusters

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Riyadh Ranked Among Top 100 Global Innovation Clusters

A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The Global Innovation Index has ranked Riyadh among the top 100 innovation clusters worldwide for 2026, making it the only Gulf city to attain this classification.

Riyadh placed 92nd globally, with key metrics including 419 venture capital deals in innovation and 162 international patent applications filed.

The report highlighted the main entities contributing to the capital's position in research and innovation. In research, King Saud University, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, and Prince Sultan University led the efforts, while SABIC and Aramco spearheaded innovation contributions.

The ranking reflects the Kingdom's integrated research and innovation ecosystem, supporting researchers and innovators in line with Saudi Vision 2030.


Türkiye to Start Oil-Targeted Drilling in Western Black Sea Soon, Minister Says

Türkiye's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar speaks as he meets with reporters at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, April 18, 2026. (Reuters)
Türkiye's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar speaks as he meets with reporters at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, April 18, 2026. (Reuters)
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Türkiye to Start Oil-Targeted Drilling in Western Black Sea Soon, Minister Says

Türkiye's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar speaks as he meets with reporters at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, April 18, 2026. (Reuters)
Türkiye's Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar speaks as he meets with reporters at Antalya Diplomacy Forum in Antalya, Türkiye, April 18, 2026. (Reuters)

Türkiye will soon begin drilling a challenging oil-targeted well in the western Black Sea, Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said ‌on Wednesday.

"We ‌will soon ‌begin ⁠drilling an oil-targeted ⁠well in the western Black Sea. It will be a difficult ⁠drilling operation and will ‌take ‌some time," ‌Bayraktar told broadcaster ‌CNBC-e.

Türkiye has previously said it plans six exploration ‌wells across the western, central and eastern ⁠Black ⁠Sea in 2026 as it seeks new oil and natural gas discoveries.