Iran, China agree $600-billion trade deal after sanctions

[bemildred]

Iran and China agreed to expand bilateral ties and increase trade to $600 billion in the next 10 years, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday during a visit to Tehran by Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Xi is the second leader of a U.N. Security Council member to visit Tehran after the nuclear deal Iran struck with world powers last year. Russian President Vladimir Putin visited Tehran in November.

Iran emerged from years of economic isolation this month when the United Nations' nuclear watchdog ruled it had curbed its nuclear program, clearing the way for the lifting of U.N., U.S., and European Union sanctions.

"Iran and China have agreed to increase trade to $600 billion in the next 10 years," Rouhani said at a news conference with Xi broadcast live on state television.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-china-idUSKCN0V109V

[Jefferson23]

1. Wowza..is someone passing out oxygen tanks to the neocons in DC?

It is interesting, China has also been trying to become more involved
in the I/P conflict..their comment EJ for the Palestinians was surprising
to me.

In the last couple of years they would say these benign type of
flowery overtures..blah blah blah, peace, end the conflict. Nothing as
overt as EJ..not that I'm aware of.

[bemildred]

2. Yeah. $60 billion a year for ten years. Hummmm.

I think they have been waiting and they are now done waiting, the Chinese, they did agree about Iran's nukes, but now they are making some moves.

[bemildred]

3. Iran's leader says never trusted the West, seeks closer ties with China

Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Saturday called for closer economic and security ties with China, saying Iran had never trusted the West, as the two countries agreed to increase bilateral trade more than 10-fold to $600 billion in the next decade.

Iran's most powerful figure told Chinese President Xi Jinping during a visit Iran wanted to expand ties with "more independent countries", adding the United States was "not honest" in the fight against terrorism in the region.

"Iranians never trusted the West... That's why Tehran seeks cooperation with more independent countries (like China)," Khamenei said.

"Iran is the most reliable country in the region for energy since its energy policies will never be affected by foreigners," Khamenei was quoted by his official website as saying at a meeting with Xi.

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-china-idUSKCN0V109V