China taps Xi right-hand man for VP
Compiled from news services
BEIJING — China’s parliament elected Wang Qishan, a key ally of President Xi Jinping, into the role of vice president on Saturday, a move that breaks with tradition but will bolster the president’s authority.
At69, Mr. Wang would normallybe considered tooold for a five-year term asvice president, but Mr. Xiclearly felt he needed histrusted lieutenant alongsidehim as he began hisown second term.
Mr.Wang’s presence willinvest the role, seen as largelyceremonial in the past,with new power and authority,experts say.
As vice president, Mr. Wang is expected to play a role in trying to manage China’s increasingly testy relations with the United States, at a time when President Donald Trump is demanding a big reduction in the trade imbalance between the two countries.
Sweden, N. Korea talks
STOCKHOLM — Sweden’s foreign minister concluded three days of talks Saturday with its North Korean counterpart, saying they discussed the “opportunities and challenges for continued diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful solution” to the Koreas’ security dispute.
MinisterMargot Wallstromstopped short of sayingwhether North Korean RiYong Ho’s trip to Swedenhad led to any further developmentsconcerning apossible meeting betweenPresident Donald Trumpand North Korean leaderKim Jong Un.
“Themain focus for the talkswas the security situationon the Korean Peninsula,”Ms. Wallstrom said. Thepair met Saturday at theForeign Ministry in Stockholm.
Merkel defends surplus
BERLIN— German Chancellor Angela Merkel defended the country’s trade surplus Saturday, saying the government is working to encourage domestic demand but that not all factors are under its control.
President Donald Trump’s administration has been critical of Germany’s trade surplus.
Ms. Merkel’s comments in her weekly podcast came as Economy Minister Peter Altmaier was getting ready to head off Sunday to Washington for talks as a possible trade war looms between Europe and the U.S.
Ms. Merkel said domestic demand has been growing, helping narrow the German trade surplus to 244.9 billion euros ($301.1 billion) in 2017 from a record 248.9 billion euros the previous year.