Rescue and relief efforts have been carried out in a timely and orderly manner after a 6.8-magnitude earthquake jolted southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, said a spokesman for the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Wednesday.
The strong earthquake struck Dingri County in the city of Xigaze Tuesday morning, leaving 126 dead and 188 others injured.
"Relevant authorities of the Chinese government has launched a level-II emergency service response and the disaster response and relief work is proceeding in a timely and orderly way. As we speak, the first batch of relief supplies sent by the central government has arrived in the quake-hit region; all roads damaged by the earthquake in Dingri County have been repaired and able to be open to traffic; power has been restored to the county center and multiple towns and villages of Dingri County; and telecommunication has been restored in the region affected by the disaster," said spokesman Guo Jiakun at a regular press briefing in Beijing.
"We believe that under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee, the people there will overcome the disaster and rebuild their homes," continued Guo.
Earthquake relief efforts carried out in timely, orderly manner in Xizang: spokesman
The gold price fluctuated above 3,140 U.S. dollars per ounce on Thursday, after President Donald Trump's announcement of sweeping new tariffs against most U.S. trading partners.
The price of gold has jumped nearly 18 percent this year, as traders piled into the safe haven asset amid a steep decline in stock market futures.
Amid widespread opposition, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order on the so-called "reciprocal tariffs," imposing a 10-percent "minimum baseline tariff" and higher rates on certain trading partners.
All imports would be subject to 10 percent additional tariffs, except as otherwise provided, the executive order said. This will take effect on April 5.
Trump will impose an "individualized reciprocal higher tariff" on the countries and regions with which the United States "has the largest trade deficits," according to a White House document. This will take effect on April 9.
Some goods will not be subject to the reciprocal tariff, including steel and aluminum, autos and auto parts already subject to Section 232 tariffs, copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and lumber, the White House noted.
For Canada and Mexico, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) compliant goods will continue to see a 0 percent tariff, non-USMCA compliant goods will see a 25 percent tariff, and non-USMCA compliant energy and potash will see a 10 percent tariff, according to the White House.
In his speech at the White House Rose Garden, Trump presented a chart on "reciprocal tariffs." The chart shows that different countries and regions face different tariff rates.
For example, China will face a 34-percent tariff, the European Union 20 percent, Vietnam 46 percent, Japan 24 percent, India 26 percent, South Korea 25 percent, Thailand 36 percent, Switzerland 31 percent, Indonesia 32 percent, Malaysia 24 percent, and Cambodia 49 percent.
Gold price fluctuates after Trump tariffs announcement
