U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the current 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon will be extended by three weeks, shortly after the two countries held their second ambassador-level talks in Washington D.C. on Thursday afternoon.
The United States is going to work with the government of Lebanon to help it protect itself from Hezbollah, Trump said in a post on his social media platform Truth Social.
Trump said he met with representatives of Israel and Lebanon in the Oval Office in the White House, along with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and U.S. ambassadors to Israel and Lebanon.
"The Meeting went very well!" Trump claimed, providing no details.
"I look forward in the near future to hosting the Prime Minister of Israel, Bibi Netanyahu, and the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun," Trump said. Trump said last week he was expecting to meet Netanyahu and Aoun at the White House "over the next week or two" in hopes that the two sides could broker a peace deal, which will also address Hezbollah.
The 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon came into effect on April 16, following weeks of intensified cross-border fighting amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Israel and Lebanon have no formal diplomatic relations, and Hezbollah has long been viewed by Israel as a "proxy" of Iran. The negotiating party with Israel is the Lebanese government, not Hezbollah.
The truce has remained fragile as tensions along Lebanon's southern border have continued during the current ceasefire.
Trump: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire to be extended by 3 weeks
Trump: Israel-Lebanon ceasefire to be extended by 3 weeks
China's planned removal of tariffs on African products has opened an unprecedented opportunity for Moroccan potters, who are already adapting their ancestral craftsmanship to win over the Chinese market.
China will implement zero-tariff measures for 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations, starting May 1, 2026.
In a local pottery market in Rabat, Morocco's capital, artisans are busy fulfilling orders for decorated plates, colorful tagines, and handcrafted vases, hoping that the tariff elimination will further ease their access to China's vast consumer market.
"Pottery has a rich history, and we are committed to preserving this traditional craft. What keeps us going is the support of customers from Morocco and abroad. With the recent opening of the Chinese market and the possibility of exporting our products tariff-free, our creations can now reach that immense market, something that truly delights us," said Youssef El Rahamli, a Moroccan artisan and exporter.
For him, opening up to China represents a significant milestone. Foreign demand has allowed him to increase production and hire more workers. In his workshop, several young people are now working to shape and decorate pieces destined for export.
According to Rahamli, the zero-tariff policy could reduce costs and make Moroccan pottery more competitive, offering new income opportunities for local artisans.
Economists say they believe that easier access to the Chinese market could create new opportunities for Morocco's traditional industries.
"So I believe this measure presents real opportunities for Moroccan companies, because it will enhance the competitiveness of exporters. There will surely be an increase in export volumes, particularly for agricultural products, phosphates and their derivatives, industrial goods, and artisanal products. But all of this depends on Moroccan exporters' ability to improve their offerings and services, diversify exports, and move toward high-value-added exports. And, of course, it is also important to adopt a digital-focused trade strategy and strengthen their presence at trade fairs in China to reach Chinese consumers," said Khalid Achibane, a Moroccan economic expert.
China's tariff removal opens door for Moroccan potters
