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China, EU agree to explore tariff cuts, ease trade barriers

China and the European Union have agreed to explore reducing tariffs on certain goods, strengthen cooperation on export controls, and address outstanding market access issues as the two sides seek to stabilise bilateral economic and trade relations. The agreements were reached during the second meeting of the China-EU Trade and Investment Consultation Mechanism, held in Beijing on October 8-9, according to a joint statement released on Friday. Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao and European Commission Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maroš Šefčovič led the discussions, which both sides described as pragmatic and productive. The two sides reiterated their commitment to managing trade differences within the framework of World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules and making bilateral economic and trade relations more balanced. Read: China’s EV lead built on scale, policy and innovation They agreed to hold the mechanism’s third meeting in March 2...
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'Real toll is far higher': Araghchi says Iran has taken out 81 US military aircraft

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Thursday claimed Iran’s armed forces had destroyed 81 US military aircraft, citing the Congressional Research Service (CRS), which he said had previously reported the loss of 42 aircraft. In a post on X, Araghchi wrote, “In May, the Congressional Research Service admitted that Iran’s Armed Forces had taken out 42 US military aircraft. Now: 81.” The Iranian foreign minister claimed that the actual number was significantly higher. “Real toll is far higher,” he said. Araghchi also questioned US Central Command’s (CENTCOM) refusal to allow a sitting senator to inspect military bases that it claimed were in good condition. He wrote, “Proof? CENTCOM won’t let a sitting senator inspect bases it claims are fine”. “You can fool all the people some of the time...” he added. In May, the Congressional Research Service admitted that Iran’s Armed Forces had taken out 42 U.S. military aircraft. Now: 81. Real toll is far higher. Proof? CENTCOM won’t let a sitting Senator inspect bases it claims are fine. You can fool all the people some of the time... pic.twitter.com/eB3fRrJFt4 — Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) October 8, 2026 According to a recent report prepared by the nonpartisan CRS, at least 81 US fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and uncrewed aircraft were lost or damaged during military operations against Iran. The figures compile operational incidents recorded since Feb. 28 across Pentagon records, US CENTCOM statements, military inspector general findings, and press accounts. The compilation shows extensive losses across uncrewed platforms, led by 45 MQ-9 Reaper drones and three MQ-1 multi-role craft downed during operations, along with one MQ-4C Triton that crashed in a flight mishap. Manned combat airframes also sustained substantial hits. Twelve F-15E Strike Eagle fighters were affected, including three destroyed by friendly fire over Kuwait, one downed over Iran, and eight that suffered light damage during an Iranian missile strike on Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan before returning to service. Iranian ground fire damaged an advanced F-35A Lightning II, while two A-10 Thunderbolt II ground-attack jets were lost or heavily damaged. Support fleets suffered major attrition as well. Seven KC-135 Stratotanker refuelling craft were affected, including one fatal crash in Iraq that killed six crew members and five reportedly damaged on the ground in Saudi Arabia. Read: Iranian president says US deal ‘not out of reach’ in call with Putin One E-3 Sentry early warning plane took a direct hit, two MC-130J special operations transports were intentionally destroyed during a rescue mission, and seven military helicopters, including AH-64 Apache and AH-6 Little Bird models, were lost or damaged. The disclosures arrive amid soaring financial tolls in the Iran war, which began Feb. 28 with coordinated US-Israeli strikes. A Lead Inspector General report in September estimated total campaign expenses at $33.4 billion through late June, including $3.7 billion in equipment losses, while the Congressional Budget Office projected hardware replacement costs at up to $3.3 billion. The CRS noted that the number of aircraft may remain subject to revision due to classification, ongoing combat activity, and attribution.

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