Serbia opens Chinese-built new Danubian Corridor sections

Serbia held an opening ceremony of two new sections of the Chinese-built Danubian Corridor on Saturday to mark the important progress of the 67.94-km-long corridor built along the Danubian River.

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian government officials, representatives from the Chinese Embassy, and contractor Shandong Hi-Speed attended the ceremony.

Describing the expressway as "a lifeline" that will boost the local economy, Vucic said that the new sections, which connect Eastern Serbia to Corridor 10 highway, are set to attract investments and boost tourism in the region.

Noting that Serbia has built 589 km of highways and expressways since 2014, Vucic expressed deep gratitude to China's contribution, underscoring China's enduring support and friendship to Serbia.

"Serbia regards China as an ironclad friend. Chinese President Xi Jinping cares about the development of Serbia. We are extremely grateful for this. These achievements are all attributed to the profound friendship between China and Serbia," Vucic said.

Chinese Ambassador to Serbia Li Ming said that the opening of the new sections is proof of Serbia's steady economic progress and the strong partnership between Serbia and China.

He expressed optimism that the expressway's completion would create new opportunities for regional development, and pave the way for further collaborative projects.

Currently, 31.85 km of the total 67.94-km expressway are operational. This includes 21-km stretch from the bridge over the Jezava River to the end of the Pozarevac bypass, and a 10.85-km section from the start of the Veliko Gradiste bypass to Ponikve. Construction is continuing on the remaining segments.

Once fully completed next year, the Danubian Corridor is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering Serbia's national transportation infrastructure and boosting the country's economic growth, especially in Eastern Serbia.

Serbia opens Chinese-built new Danubian Corridor sections

Serbia opens Chinese-built new Danubian Corridor sections

Serbia opens Chinese-built new Danubian Corridor sections

Serbia opens Chinese-built new Danubian Corridor sections

Serbia opens Chinese-built new Danubian Corridor sections

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday the European Union is "prepared for every scenario" if the United States unilaterally raises tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the bloc.

Speaking in Yerevan, Armenia, on the sidelines of the EU-Armenia Summit, von der Leyen pushed back against U.S. President Donald Trump's latest tariff threat. She stressed that "a deal is a deal," warning against unilateral changes to the agreement.

Trump on Friday threatened to increase tariffs on cars and trucks imported from the EU to 25 percent next week, accusing the bloc of failing to comply with the trade deal between the two sides.

"It is fully understood and agreed that, if they produce Cars and Trucks in U.S.A. Plants, there will be NO TARIFF," he said on Truth Social.

A European Commission spokesperson said Friday that the EU will "keep options open" to protect its interests if the United States takes measures inconsistent with the joint statement between the two sides signed last year on reciprocal, fair and balanced trade.

"The EU is implementing its Joint Statement commitments in line with standard legislative practice, keeping the U.S. administration fully informed throughout," the spokesperson said.

A EU-U.S. trade deal was reached last year, under which the EU would suspend tariffs on all U.S. industrial products and introduce tariff-rate quotas for a wide range of U.S. agri-food products entering the EU market. In return, the United States would apply a 15-percent import tariff on most EU goods.

EU responds to Trump's tariff threats: "prepared for every scenario"