Article: "Government advisor rules out Trump's oil cut plan, predicts appropriate price for Iraq"
Quote: "The financial advisor to the Prime Minister, Mazhar Muhammad Salih, ruled out the success of US President Donald Trump’s plan to reduce oil prices in global markets...
Saleh believed that what President Trump launched to work to make America the first producer and exporter of crude oil in the world to reduce prices will collide with the cost of producing shale oil...
which exposes American oil to loss unless American oil touches $80 per barrel to exceed the actual break-even point to recover costs and achieve profits.
Baghdad-INA The International Road Transport Union (IRU) announced during its visit last week that Iraq is heading towards implementing the first historic transport operation through the international road transport system (TIR). The union stated in a statement, followed by the Iraqi News Agency (INA), that “a delegation from the International Road Transport Union (IRU) visited Iraq last week to lay the foundation for the first cross-border transport movement in the country within the international road transport system (TIR).
It explained that “Iraq is close to achieving a historic achievement in cross-border trade, as the first transport operation under the umbrella of the international road transport system is expected to take place soon, as this event represents a turning point for the country and a major step towards full integration into the recognized international system for customs transit.”
It added that “during the past week,
the International Road Transport Union (IRU) held key discussions with stakeholders in the public and private sectors, reinforcing Iraq’s commitment to modernizing the trade sector and adopting international best practices.”
It pointed out that “a specialized workshop was organized during the visit, focusing on the importance of international agreements of the United Nations, such as the TIR Convention and the European Convention on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road. Experts highlighted the vital role of these agreements in simplifying cross-border trade, enhancing trade security, and reducing road accidents. Discussions also addressed the importance of professional excellence in the land transport sector and developing strong regulatory frameworks to support it.”
The statement continued that “cooperation between the public and private sectors was one of the main themes of the meetings, as its essential role in achieving these goals was emphasized,” noting that “effective coordination between government authorities and the private sector is a crucial factor in ensuring the smooth implementation of the TIR Convention and the European Convention on the International Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road, which enhances Iraq’s position in regional and global trade.”
It concluded that “as Iraq prepares for this achievement, it stands on the threshold of a new era in the field of transport and international trade, as it adopts global best practices to enhance efficiency, security, and economic growth.”
In this video transcript, the speaker expresses their views on trade policies, particularly focusing on tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
They argue that the tariffs on China have created significant financial burdens for American businesses, making it difficult for them to operate competitively.
The speaker outlines a strategic plan for circumventing these tariffs through alternative trade routes, such as using India as a staging ground for goods sourced from China, thus minimizing costs.
They also emphasize their approval of Trump’s policies overall but voice a strong disagreement specifically regarding trade tariffs. Additionally, the speaker touches on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, advocating for a two-state solution as a fair resolution. Their overall tone is one of pragmatic business insight, combined with a desire for fairness in geopolitical matters.
💰 Trade Tariffs Increase Costs: The speaker highlights how the increase in tariffs from 10% to 35% significantly raises the cost of imported goods.
🌏 Strategic Trade Routes: They propose utilizing India as a transit point to reduce tariff costs when importing goods into the U.S.
🚫 Circumventing Tariffs: The speaker explains their strategy to minimize tariff burdens by rerouting goods through countries with lower tariffs.
🤔 Support for Trump, but Not on Trade: The speaker clarifies that while they support Trump politically, they disagree with him specifically on trade policies.
⚖️ Two-State Solution for Peace: They advocate for a two-state solution to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing fairness.
📈 Business Insights: The speaker draws from personal experience in business to illustrate the real-world impacts of trade policies.
🏛️ Critique of Ideological Arguments: They challenge religious or ideological arguments regarding territorial claims, favoring pragmatic solutions instead.
Key Insights
📊 Financial Impact of Tariffs: The speaker underscores that the increase in tariffs can substantially inflate the cost of goods. For instance, a $110,000 purchase becomes $135,000 due to tariffs, which is unsustainable for businesses. This perspective is crucial as it illustrates the broader economic consequences of trade policies and how they affect everyday business operations.
🌐 Utilization of Trade Agreements: By highlighting the relatively low tariff rates between India and the U.S. (3%) and between India and China (1%), the speaker identifies a loophole that savvy businesses can exploit. This insight is significant as it shows how businesses are adapting to the changing landscape of global trade and finding ways to mitigate costs through strategic logistics.
🔄 Global Trade Manipulation: The speaker asserts that businesses have been creatively navigating tariffs by rerouting products through countries with lower tariffs. This not only reflects the resilience of businesses facing restrictive trade policies but also raises concerns about the effectiveness of such tariffs in
achieving their intended economic outcomes.
🔍 Misconceptions About Trump’s Policies: The speaker emphasizes their support for Trump, indicating that their critique is not a rejection of him as a leader but a focused disagreement on trade. This distinction is important in political discourse, where nuances in opinion can often be lost in broader critiques.
🕊️ Advocacy for Peace in the Middle East: The call for a two-state solution in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict showcases the speaker’s desire for pragmatic solutions over ideological ones. By suggesting that both parties should have their own state, they advocate for a resolution that respects the sovereignty and governance of both groups, which is a critical aspect of peace negotiations.
⚖️ Critique of Ideological Arguments: The speaker’s rejection of religious justifications for territorial claims in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict highlights a pragmatic approach to complex geopolitical issues. This perspective encourages discussions based on reality and mutual respect rather than historical or religious narratives that may perpetuate conflict.
🏗️ Impact on American Businesses: The speaker’s insights into the challenges faced by American businesses due to tariffs provide a real-world context to the discussion on international trade. By understanding the financial pressures and strategic adaptations that businesses are forced to make, policymakers can better assess the implications of their trade decisions.
In conclusion, this video transcript presents a multifaceted discussion on trade policies and their impacts on American businesses, while also addressing broader geopolitical issues. The speaker’s perspective serves as a reminder of the intricate balance between domestic policies and international relations, and the importance of finding practical solutions that foster economic growth and peace. The insights derived from their experiences and observations provide valuable lessons for both policymakers and business leaders navigating the complex world of global trade.
Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, affirmed Iraq’s desire to cooperate with NATO in the field of military industries.
The Prime Minister’s Information Office said in a statement received by Baghdad Today, that “Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani received today, Wednesday, NATO Secretary-General, Mr. Mark Rutte, and the accompanying delegation.”
He added that “during the meeting, cooperation relations between Iraq and the Alliance in the files related to capacity building and support for the Iraqi armed forces in the fields of advice and training were discussed.”
The Prime Minister stressed “the importance of continuing communication to build cooperation relations with NATO, within its advisory mission in Iraq, in light of the state of recovery, political stability and economic growth witnessed by the country, and in a way that helps Iraq exercise its leading role in the region,” stressing “maintaining the balanced Iraqi position despite the limitations, as well as Iraq maintained its supreme interests, in addition to supporting stability efforts in the region.”
Al-Sudani said that
“Iraq looks with interest at the role of NATO’s advisory mission in Iraq, and cooperation in the field of training, planning and exchange of experiences.”
According to the statement, Al-Sudani touched on “the ambitious war industries program supported by the government,” stressing “Iraq’s desire to cooperate with NATO in the field of military industries, especially defense equipment, which contributes to enhancing security and deterring any possible aggression.”
The Secretary-General of NATO expressed his “appreciation for the Iraqi steps,” addressing Sudan “an official invitation to attend the North Atlantic gathering to be held soon in Brussels and deliver a speech by Iraq.”
He praised “the government’s efforts in security developments and the state of stability and growth in the country,” stressing “NATO’s keenness to strengthen the relationship with Iraq and enhance fruitful cooperation, especially in the field of military industries.”
The statement continued, “The meeting witnessed a discussion of the developments in the region, the status of the truce in Gaza and Lebanon, and the developments of the situation in Syria.”