“Tidbits From TNT” Saturday Morning 4-5-2025

TNT:

Tishwash:  A high-level US trade delegation is expected to visit Baghdad.

Iraq is anticipating the visit of a high-level US trade delegation comprising several major American companies. The visit is expected to strengthen relations between Washington and Baghdad in the areas of security, infrastructure, and energy.

This was announced by Farhad Alaa El-Din, the Sudanese Prime Minister's advisor for foreign affairs, on Friday, April 4, 2025. He explained that the delegation will arrive in Baghdad next week, and that an agreement is expected to be concluded between the American company General Electric and the Iraqi Ministry of Electricity to develop the electricity sector in Iraq.

The advisor noted that the agreement will help address Iraq's current electricity shortage, which stands at 48,000 megawatts.

Alaa El-Din added that the United States has significantly expanded its economic relations with Iraq over the past two and a half years, and that Washington is playing an increasingly important role in revitalizing the Iraqi economy.

The US delegation's visit was organized by the Iraqi Chamber of Commerce, and several agreements and memoranda of understanding are expected to be signed between the two sides, in addition to an agreement to develop the electricity sector.

Alaa El-Din also noted that Iraq seeks to leverage the capabilities of American companies to address the problem of flaring large quantities of associated gas due to the lack of adequate infrastructure.

The US trade delegation's visit comes amid US President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on several countries, including Iraq, which Trump announced on Wednesday night, April 2, 2025, at a rate of 39%. link

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Tishwash:  With oil prices rapidly declining, a member of the parliamentary finance committee calls for amending the budget schedules.

Jamal Kocher, a member of the Parliamentary Finance Committee, stressed the need to reconsider the 2025 budget schedule if oil prices continue to fall below $70 per barrel.

Kocher explained to Al Furat News Agency, "This matter depends on the price estimated in the budget, indicating that if the price per barrel is at $70, the current rates can be maintained."
He pointed out that "the final decision will be based on financial estimates of oil prices throughout the year, as the price can be maintained if studies indicate it rises above $70. However, if the price falls below this level, Kocher stressed the need for the government to review the financial schedules."

Kocher pointed out that "there is a real deficit in the budgets of previous years, 2023 and 2024, which requires careful handling of oil price fluctuations and their impact on the national economy."
Oil prices fell for the second day in a row, reaching their lowest levels in more than three years, after markets were shocked by the sudden increase in OPEC+ production, in addition to the tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump, which could lead to a reduction in global demand.

Brent crude, seen as a global benchmark for the oil market, has lost more than 10% in just two days, while US futures are trading at their lowest levels since May 2023, according to Bloomberg.
Brent has fallen to $65 a barrel.

These declines are the result of the tariff storm announced by Trump on Thursday, which threatens global economic growth and consumption.

Just hours after Trump's tariff announcement, the OPEC+ alliance announced a tripling of planned production for May. link

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Tishwash:  Al-Sudani: Iraq is witnessing an unprecedented phase of reconstruction and development.

Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said on Friday, April 4, 2025, that: "Iraq is witnessing an unprecedented phase of reconstruction and development."

During his meeting today with a group of tribal sheikhs and dignitaries from various communities at the guest house of Hajj Rahim Majisar al-Baydani in Baghdad, Al-Sudani affirmed that "the tribes have always been with the state since its founding, beginning with the 1920 Revolution, and their contributions and sacrifices have continued effectively at various stages and times."

The Prime Minister pointed to "the role of the tribes and their honorable stance in responding to the religious authority's call for sufficient jihad, the call of the nation, as all members of the tribes that bear the Iraqi color lined up in the trench of confrontation against terrorism. This stance came at a time when it was rumored that Iraq had ended as a state, only for the country to return safe and unified."

Al-Sudani stressed that "the supreme religious authority's indication that Iraqis have a cultural and intellectual heritage that they must study, understand, and rely on is a fitting indication, and that our country, with its culture and resources, is capable of facing various challenges." He emphasized that "her talk about Iraq's recovery and being on the right path is a reassuring message to some alarmists who paint a picture of anxiety, panic, and defeatism among society."

He explained, "What we enjoy today is thanks to the sacrifices and honorable stances of the tribes, which we cannot forget. Iraq is strong, capable, healthy, and progressing, as attested to by all regional and international institutions." He indicated that "Iraq has an important pioneering role, and the reconstruction and development it is witnessing, from Basra to Nineveh, is an unprecedented phase."

He continued, "From the outset, the government has worked on priorities based on the needs of the people, far removed from any personal or partisan objectives. We cannot mortgage the country's future solely to oil, especially since Iraq possesses the potential for agriculture, industry, and tourism."

Al-Sudani stated, "Our country is distinguished by its geographical location as a global trade corridor. That's why we launched the Development Road project, and we are working day and night to achieve our commitment. We have the capabilities, resources, and determination to face various challenges."

He pointed out that "work is continuing on a project to transport gas to our power stations, and there is a genuine will to implement reforms, and we have made significant progress in this regard, in a timeframe not exceeding two and a half years of the government's term."

He continued, "The region has witnessed exceptional circumstances, and the government's greatest test was how to handle this crisis, given Iraq's principled position on the Palestinian issue. The continued Zionist aggression against the Palestinians has demonstrated the failure of the international community."

He explained, "We were able to preserve Iraq by acting wisely and responsibly to avoid slipping into the arena of war and conflict. Some emotional and hasty voices wanted Iraq to go to war and conflict."

The Prime Minister stressed that "the interests of Iraq and Iraqis are the government's top priority, and there is no room for favoritism toward any internal or external party." He explained that "the government's approach is to preserve the supreme interests of the state, and we have full hope that the clerics, tribal sheikhs, and elites will promote a discourse of unity, solidarity, and brotherhood among all members of society."

He continued, "There are those who thrive on the rhetoric of sedition, crisis, and conspiracies, and we must pay attention to this matter, especially with the upcoming elections. We are confident that Iraq's future is promising, thanks to its people, capabilities, resources, and sound principles for governing the state."  link

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Mot: Ahah!!! -- This Finally Says it All!!!! 

Mot: Will Beeeeee a Perfect Daze fur - bird watching