Category: News

The agreement, first announced in May, includes tariff reductions on British car and aerospace exports, but several key sectors, notably steel, aluminium, and pharmaceuticals, remain unresolved.

The deal came into effect after U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order to implement it. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who met with Trump at the summit, confirmed that the core tariff reduction measures would take effect “immediately.”

Under the agreement, the U.S. will reduce tariffs on up to 100,000 British-made cars per year from 27.5 percent to 10 percent. It also removes the 10 percent U.S. tariff on British aerospace products, including jet engines and aircraft components, a measure expected to take effect by the end of the month.

Britain has also agreed to a quota of 1.4 billion litres of tariff-free U.S. bioethanol imports, a volume roughly equivalent to the country’s total annual domestic demand. In return, the U.S. has committed to allowing limited British beef exports.

The British government said all American agricultural imports would still need to meet Britain’s food safety and animal welfare standards. However, British bioethanol producers and farming groups have expressed concern that the influx of U.S. products could undercut local industries.

Despite these developments, large parts of the agreement remain incomplete. According to reports by the Financial Times, both sides are still in negotiations over steel and aluminium tariffs.

Although Britain currently benefits from an exemption to the new 50 percent global steel duty announced by Trump, it continues to face a 25 percent tariff.

British officials said that final arrangements have been delayed due to “technical and legal” challenges, including U.S. rules requiring that steel must be “melted and poured” in its country of origin. Much of Britain’s steel is processed from imported material and may not qualify under that definition.

Pharmaceuticals represent another unresolved area. While the British government says both sides aim to secure “significantly preferential outcomes” for the British pharmaceutical industry, no binding provisions have been announced.

According to British media, Starmer has appointed his senior business adviser Varun Chandra to lead a delegation to Washington this week. The team, which includes embassy trade officials, is expected to focus on finalising the remaining elements of the agreement.

Industry analysts and trade experts have pointed out that the deal is limited in scope and relies on executive action rather than formal legislation. This raises questions about the long-term stability of the agreement, particularly if there is a change in U.S. leadership.

This milestone marks a significant step in Rwanda’s efforts to strengthen its testing capacity, enhancing the competitiveness of Rwandan agricultural products in global markets by ensuring they meet international quality standards.

The SEQI is a purpose-built facility designed not only to offer laboratory testing services but also to provide certification and compliance services.

Its primary objective is to ensure that Rwandan export products meet both international quality standards and specific market requirements. SEQI operates on key pillars—standards, metrology, testing, certification, and accreditation—which support the conformity assessment processes essential for global market entry.

Beyond its laboratory services, SEQI plays a critical role in issuing export quality certificates following thorough product testing and analysis. The facility serves as a hub that will benefit farmers, processors, and exporters across various value chains, ensuring the integrity and quality of Rwanda’s agricultural products.

Speaking at the launch, the Minister of Agriculture and Animal Resources, Dr. Mark Cyubahiro Bagabe, highlighted the timeliness of the infrastructure, noting: “This infrastructure came on time where Rwanda aims at enhancing the competitiveness of agricultural products on the international market where SEQI is expected to play a key role in assuring quality for the exported products. Investing in quality infrastructure promotes sustainable development by ensuring food safety, protecting the environment, and supporting long-term economic growth.”

Dr. Bagabe also commended the European Union for their technical and financial support, which was instrumental in upgrading the export quality infrastructure, acquiring testing equipment, and providing technical assistance.

“Moving forward, NAEB has initiated the accreditation process for SEQI to demonstrate the laboratory’s competence and adherence to international standards. The SEQI accreditation is expected to reduce barriers to trade, facilitate market access, and enhance consumer confidence.” noted Dr. Bagabe added.

With an investment of €3.4 million (over Frw 5.6 billion), the facility, located at NAEB’s headquarters in Gikondo, Kigali, aligns with Rwanda’s long-term strategy to diversify exports, increase foreign exchange earnings, and ensure sustainable growth in agri-exports.

The SEQI is expected to significantly improve Rwanda’s ability to meet international buyer expectations, particularly in high-value markets.

This announcement was made by Dr. Uwamariya Valentine, the Minister of Environment, during a discussion with members of the Senate’s Commission on Social Affairs and Human Rights on June 16, 2025. The discussion followed a report on the findings of a visit to various islands in Rwanda.

Dr. Uwamariya explained that three research studies, conducted in 2012, 2014, and 2024, aimed to assess the biodiversity of Rwanda’s islands and provide insights into their potential for development.

She highlighted that Rwanda’s islands come in various categories, including inhabited and uninhabited islands, large and small, with some requiring the use of drones for assessment, land registration, and documentation.

In Rusizi District, there are seven islands, three of which are inhabited and registered under local residents, while four are uninhabited. In Nyamasheke, there are 40 islands, 35 of which are uninhabited and five are inhabited, but only two are registered under local residents.

In Karongi, there are 25 islands, all uninhabited and not registered under local residents, while in Rutsiro, there are 42 islands, with 40 uninhabited and two inhabited, one of which is registered.

Musanze has two islands in Lake Ruhondo, one inhabited and the other uninhabited. In Bugesera District, there are two islands, one inhabited and one uninhabited. In Akagera National Park, there are five uninhabited islands, and in the Rugezi Wetlands, there are 15 uninhabited islands, some of which are registered under local residents.

In total, Rwanda has 153 islands, of which 19 are inhabited by local communities, while the remaining 138 are uninhabited. Of the 19 inhabited islands, eight are permanently settled, including islands like Nkombo, Ishywa, Gihaya, Iwawa, Bugarura, Kirehe, Mushongo, and Birwa.

Dr. Uwamariya stated that the islands inhabited permanently by communities have the necessary infrastructure and legal land documentation, except for Iwawa Island, which is registered under the government.

However, there are also islands where people live temporarily, and these areas lack basic infrastructure. Providing infrastructure to these areas would require significant investment, more than relocating the inhabitants.

“The residents on these islands are living there but their land is registered under the government. The residents need to be relocated so they can access essential services such as water and electricity,” she emphasized.

The Minister also pointed out the challenges of protecting the residents living on the islands, especially when they continue to farm or engage in other activities on land that was initially intended for relocation but without the proper rights.

She noted that some residents claim the land as their ancestral property or say they bought it, but it is not formally registered. In Rutsiro, for example, some individuals have documents dating back to 1990, claiming they were granted the land, even though it is being eroded and lacks infrastructure.

To address these issues, Dr. Uwamariya announced that a ministerial order will be introduced to classify the islands as state-owned land under public property. The order has already been discussed with relevant stakeholders and is expected to be presented to the cabinet for approval in July this year.

Once the order is announced, a management and conservation plan will be implemented for each island, outlining what can and cannot be done on these islands. Additionally, illegal activities currently taking place on the islands will be halted.

The new order will also grant residents the right to sell land on the islands they currently occupy.

Dr. Uwamariya further revealed plans to designate some islands as protected areas, which could be included in Rwanda’s UNESCO World Heritage sites due to their unique biodiversity. This initiative aligns with the country’s efforts to preserve its natural heritage while ensuring sustainable development.

He made the disclosure during a virtual press briefing on Tuesday, June 17, 2025.

“Iran is the biggest terror proliferator,” she stated, accusing the regime of targeting Israeli civilians with attacks that killed, injured many, and left countless traumatized.

“There are people whose homes are destroyed,” she added, emphasizing the human toll beyond mere numbers.

Weiss highlighted Israel’s “very well audited” strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, like Natanz, which she said have damaged uranium enrichment facilities and eliminated key experts.

“We are doing the whole world a favor,” she asserted, noting that a nuclear Iran threatens not just Israel but global stability, potentially disrupting trade routes like Bab al-Mandeb.

“No country in the Middle East wants to see Iran nuclearized,” she stressed, suggesting Israel bears a disproportionate burden for collective security.

Commenting on the possibility for dialogue, Weiss said, “You cannot have a dialogue with someone who wants to eliminate you,” pointing to Iran’s missile inscriptions vowing Israel’s destruction and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) on the Iranian nuclear issue violations.

She linked Iran’s nuclear ambitions to its support for proxies like Hamas, whose ideology, she warned, mirrors Iran’s.

“They were targeting their own people,” she said of Iran’s regime, urging international pressure to halt its alleged terror sponsorship.

Weiss praised Israel’s shelters for limiting losses but invited Rwandan media to see beyond “the number of casualties” and engage further.

“We are helping the international community,” she concluded, positioning Israel’s fight as a global shield against Iran’s alleged terror-driven chaos.

On Friday, June 13, 2025, Israel launched a large-scale military operation, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion,” targeting Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure.

The operation involved approximately 200 Israeli Air Force jets striking around 100 sites, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility, a centerpiece of Iran’s nuclear program.

The strikes also killed key Iranian figures, including Gen. Hossein Salami, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Gen. Mohammad Bagheri, chief of staff of Iran’s armed forces, and several nuclear scientists, marking a significant blow to Iran’s military and scientific leadership.

In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles toward Israel, targeting cities like Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. Israeli defense systems, including the Iron Dome, intercepted most, though some strikes caused damage and casualties, with more than 20 deaths reported.

The escalation entered the fifth day of strikes on Tuesday, with civilians in key conflict zones bearing the impact of the fighting.

Reports indicate that Iran launched a new wave of missiles toward Israel on Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, The U.S. Vice President JD Vance has said in a lengthy social media post defending the US president’s consistency on Iran policy.

He highlighted that President Donald Trump ‘may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment’.

“That decision ultimately belongs to the president. And of course, people are right to be worried about foreign entanglement after the last 25 years of idiotic foreign policy,” Vance wrote on X.

[Related article: Israel envoy to Rwanda: Attack on Iran aimed at neutralising ’imminent’ nuclear threat->https://en.igihe.com/news/article/israel-envoy-to-rwanda-attack-on-iran-aimed-at-neutralising-imminent-nuclear]