countries

The group has also been sending reassuring messages to countries like Iraq that the war would not spill across their borders.

“All countries involved in a trade war lose, and California agriculture simply cannot afford another trade war.”

So the timing could hardly be more awkward, as Western countries struggle to meet the challenge of climate change and cut their carbon emissions from electricity generation.

But James and his partners were convinced it was worth the risk, given the strong growth of markets in countries like Canada, the US and Germany.

Pederson said that various countries were in contact with the rebels and had stressed the need to avoid chaos and bloodshed.