DECEMBER, 20249TOP STORIESTOTAL ENERGIES STOPS INFLUX OF CAPITAL INTO ADANI UNTIL FURTHER NOTICENeither the United States nor China would win a trade war, the Chinese Embassy in Washington said on Monday (Nov 25), after US President-elect Donald Trump threatened to slap an additional 10 per cent tariff on all Chinese imports when he takes office on Jan 20."About the issue of US tariffs on China, China believes that China-US economic and trade cooperation is mutually beneficial in nature," Chinese Embassy spokesperson Liu Pengyu said in a statement."No one will win a trade war or a tariff war," Liu said.Trump said he would impose the tariffs until China stops the flow of illegal drugs, particularly fentanyl, into the US.In the statement, Liu said China had taken steps to combat drug trafficking after an agreement was reached last year between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.GOVERNMENT TAKES LANDMARK DECISION TO GO CHEMICAL FREE IN AGRICULTUREThe government has announced the launch of a National Mission on Natural Farming (NMNF) aimed at promoting sustainable and chemical-free agriculture among 10 million farmers across the country. With a budget allocation of 2,481 crore, the initiative seeks to create a robust framework for improving soil quality and providing healthier food options. Of the total budget, the central government will contribute 1,584 crore, while the remaining 897 crore will be funded by state governments until the end of the 15th Finance Commission period (2025-26).Information and Broadcasting Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, speaking at a media briefing, described the mission as a "path-breaking decision" to restore soil health and promote chemical-free food for better public health.Key features of the scheme include a simplified certification process and a dedicated branding system to help farmers market their natural produce effectively. Additionally, the implementation of NMNF will be monitored in real-time through an online portal with geo-tagged and referenced data.Farmers participating in the mission will rely on traditional farming knowledge passed down through generations. The approach emphasizes the use of local livestock, integrated farming methods, and diversified crop systems to maintain ecological balance and boost productivity.The mission aligns with the government's vision of sustainable farming and aims to bring India closer to environmentally friendly agricultural practices while supporting the livelihoods of farmers. "The Chinese side has notified the US side of the progress made in US-related law enforcement operations against narcotics," Liu said."All these prove that the idea of China knowingly allowing fentanyl precursors to flow into the US runs completely counter to facts and reality," Liu said.There has been incremental but visible progress in co-operation over shutting down illicit traffic in chemicals used to produce deadly fentanyl after Xi and Biden agreed to resume joint efforts last year.The US, where fentanyl abuse has been a major cause of death, has pushed China for tougher law enforcement, including tackling illicit finance and clamping further controls on the chemicals.
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