Two African lion cubs become star attractions at a zoo in Dongying City, east China's Shandong Province, drawing large crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the playful twins during the five-day May Day holiday.
The two-month-old cubs, measuring each about 20 centimeters in length and weighing around 3.5 kilograms, quickly became the focus of attention for their lively antics and fluffy appearance, as they were brought to the zoo's meet-and-greet area.
By mid-morning, families packed the area, watching the cubs paw at toys, nuzzle against children and lounge on visitors' laps, prompting delighted reactions from the audience.
"My child was very happy and excited. This visit let us feel more of the lion cubs' cuteness and some of their living habits, which are things children can't learn from textbooks," said E Jin, a visitor.
Their keepers said the cubs were naturally bred earlier this year at the zoo and are in good health.
African twin lion cubs draw holiday makers to Shandong zoo
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"
