The United States' restrictive measures on China's maritime, logistics and shipbuilding sectors are unfair to China and other countries including Greece, and the move will disrupt global trade, according to George Xiradakis, president of the Association of Banking and Financial Executives of Hellenic Shipping.
In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV), George Xiradakis expressed his concerns about the U.S. move's potential impact on Greek shipping companies, as a majority of their vessels are built in China, whose shipbuilding industry has developed rapidly in recent years.
"We are close to reach 70 percent of the Greek order book to be implemented or to be made in China. A part of our wish to keep this freshly-established relationship with [the] Chinese, we have another fear that there are no other shipyards that can accommodate the production of the Chinese," he said.
George Xiradakis said that it is understandable that the U.S. seeks to revive its shipbuilding industry, but this should not be achieved by suppressing other countries.
He noted that the U.S.' measures are unfair not only to China, but also to other countries including Greece, and Greek shipowners are opposed to the move.
"They consider this tariff as an unfair tariff, particularly when they have invested so much money. You can understand that these private companies, they are not here to play with the politicians on how they impose different taxes or different tariffs," he said.
George Xiradakis said that shipping companies will not bear the high fees which U.S. intends to charge on Chinese-built ships, and will inevitably pass on them to exporters or importers, and ultimately to consumers.
He warned that the move will push up trade costs and disrupt the global trade.
Greek expert: US suppression unfair to China
The Iranian government is focusing on public concerns and maintaining stable supplies of essential goods amid recent protests, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in a televised interview on Sunday.
In the city of Karaj, northwest of the capital Tehran, daily life has largely continued as normal. A video filmed by a local resident on Sunday shows food stores open and grocery shelves fully stocked.
"This is the block near my home, and there are some food stores here. Daily life continues here. Last night we did not see many protests in Karaj. Right now the city is very safe. This is a grocery store close to my home. All the food is available; nothing is in shortage. Here are noodles and different types of beans. Here are dairy products, cheese, and yogurt. I also checked other grocery stores and didn't see any shortages. Everything is available," said local resident Ali Reza.
Iranian officials have described recent disturbances as acts orchestrated by the "enemy," including some carried out by well-trained and armed "terrorists." The incidents have caused casualties among security personnel and civilians, as well as property damage.
The Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani has directed authorities to severely punish the "terrorists."
Meanwhile, Iran's police chief Ahmad-Reza Radan said on Sunday that the police had raised alert levels and arrested several leaders of the troublemakers during the operations on Saturday.
President Pezeshkian noted in the interview that the normal demands of the Iranian people are reasonable and justified, but they must realize that triggering riots and carrying out terrorist acts are the enemy's attempts to undermine the country. He urged the public to remain vigilant.
Also on Sunday, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf warned that Tehran would regard U.S. and Israeli bases and facilities in the Middle East as "legitimate targets" if Washington takes military action against Iran. His remarks followed media reports saying U.S. President Donald Trump is "seriously considering authorizing a strike" against Iran.
Iranian state media reported that at least 109 members of Iran's security forces have been killed in clashes since the protests began 14 days ago. Meanwhile, human rights groups based outside the country said the number of protesters killed has exceeded 200, though the figure could not be independently verified.
The protests initially erupted over a sharp depreciation of the rial and sweeping subsidy reforms. Iranian authorities have blamed the unrest on foreign-linked agents and sanctions imposed by the United States.
Iranian president says government focusing on ensuring supplies amid protests
