Former U.S. diplomat and Cubanspy Manuel Rocha has been sentenced to 15 years in prison and ordered to pay a $500,000 fine after pleading guilty to conspiring to act as an agent of a foreign government earlier this year. The plea agreement stipulates that Rocha, 73, must also cooperate with federal investigators in an ongoing assessment of the impact his espionage activities have had on U.S. interests.
U.S. District Court Judge Beth Bloom told Rocha at the sentencing hearing: “Your actions were a direct attack to our democracy and the safety of our citizens.” The Cuban spy acknowledged responsibility for his actions and said he would accept the court’s penalty.
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Rocha — who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia under both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush — was arrested in early December of last year. His entering of a guilty plea to spying allegations in late February shocked the U.S. foreign service community. The scale of damage that Rocha may have caused to U.S. intelligence and national security operations around the communist Cuban regime is not yet known. Details of the former diplomat and spy’s activities are considered classified – Judge Bloom herself was not even informed by prosecutors when they became aware that Rocha was an agent of Cuba.
In recorded conversations with an undercover FBI agent posing as a Cuban intelligence operative, Rocha referred to the late Cuban leader Fidel Castro as “Comandante,” referred to the U.S. as the “enemy,” and bragged about his role as a Cuban operative for over 40 years within U.S. foreign policy circles.
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❓What Happened: Governor of Massachusetts Maura Healey (D) posted photos with Chinese Communist Party (CCP) diplomat Chen Li, expressing gratitude for the meeting.
👥 Who’s Involved: Gov. Maura Healey, Chinese Consul General Chen Li, and former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao.
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📍 Where & When: Massachusetts State House, Wednesday evening, May 7, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “Grateful for the opportunity to discuss future collaboration!” Gov. Maura Healey wrote regarding her meeting with the CCP official.
⚠️ Impact: Concerns over Chinese influence in the U.S., especially among Democratic politicians.
IN FULL:
Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey (D) recently hosted Chinese Consul General Chen Li at the State House, sharing the occasion with a series of photos and remarks on social media. The Democratic governor expressed her appreciation for the meeting, emphasizing the importance of Massachusetts’ economic ties with China. The meeting also included Yvonne Hao, the former Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development, who continues to advise the Healey administration.
“Massachusetts is home to a vibrant Chinese-American community, and China is one of our largest trading partners,” Gov. Healey wrote in a post on X. She added: “Glad to welcome Ambassador H.E. Chen Li of the People’s Republic to China to the State House, and grateful for the opportunity to discuss future collaboration!”
Governor Healey highlighted the state’s significant trade relations with China, its third-largest trading partner, with over $7.2 billion in goods exchanged in 2024. She noted the state’s imports from China include toys, apparel, and sports equipment, while exports to China comprise industrial machinery and medical devices.
Chen Li, whose jurisdiction as consul general spans nearly a dozen states, has been known for echoing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) narratives, particularly in denying allegations of genocide against Uyghurs. He expressed his pleasure at the meeting with the Democrat governor.
The meeting has raised eyebrows, given the history of Chinese diplomats engaging with U.S. politicians and institutions. Chen’s predecessor, Huang Ping, was involved in an indictment related to violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), visa fraud, and other charges.
Notably, The National Pulse has previously reported that another major Massachusetts political figure, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, received significant campaign contributions from a CCP-linked cultural association. Even more troubling, the head of the Chinese cultural group has demonstrable ties to the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an internal intelligence and propaganda organ within the CCP.
❓What Happened: Transgenders in the U.S. military are being given between 30 and 60 days to self-separate after the Supreme Court cleared the way for the Trump administration to enforce a ban on their service.
👥 Who’s Involved: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, approximately 1,000 transgender service members, and the Supreme Court.
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📍 Where & When: U.S. military, with deadlines for self-separation being set by June 6 for active duty and July 7 for reservists, according to a Department of Defense (DOD) memo published on Thursday, May 9, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “After a SCOTUS victory for [President Trump], TRANS is out at the DOD,” Hegseth announced on X (formerly Twitter).
⚠️ Impact: The ruling affects military readiness policies and a broader effort to remove diversity, equity, and inclusion policies at the Department of Defense (DOD).
IN FULL:
The Department of Defense (DOD) has initiated a timeline for transgender service members to voluntarily separate from the military following a Supreme Court order clearing the way for a ban on their service in the U.S. military. A recent memo from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlines that approximately 1,000 service members who have identified as having gender dysphoria must begin the process of self-separation. Active duty members are required to exit by June 6, with reservists having until July 7 to comply.
This development follows the Supreme Court’s decision to stay a lower court ruling, effectively allowing the Trump administration’s ban on transgender troops to proceed. The administration argues that this policy is essential for maintaining military readiness, unit cohesion, and avoiding the disproportionate costs associated with transgenders’ need for often lifelong medical care.
Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell expressed satisfaction with the court’s decision, stating: “The Secretary is encouraged by the Supreme Court’s order staying the lower court’s injunction, allowing the Department of Defense to carry out its policies associated with ‘Prioritizing Military Excellence and Readiness.'”
Hegseth, in an announcement on X (formerly Twitter), declared, “After a SCOTUS victory for [President Trump], TRANS is out at the DOD.” He further noted that service members with a current diagnosis or history of gender dysphoria could choose to separate voluntarily by the set deadlines, or face involuntary removal if they fail to do so.
The Trump administration’s policy, initially introduced via Executive Order in January, mandates updates to medical standards to prioritize readiness and lethality. It also seeks to eliminate the use of invented and identification-based pronouns within the Department of Defense.
The Pentagon’s move is part of a broader initiative to eliminate policies related to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and gender ideology. Hegseth recently announced that nearly all DEI-related policies have been removed from the Department, alongside efforts to standardize fitness tests for men and women.
From January 2016 to May 2021, the Department of Defense reportedly spent around $15 million on transgender treatments for active-duty service members. This financial aspect has been a point of contention in discussions about military spending and readiness.
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❓What Happened: Mexico is suing Google for listing the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America on Google Maps for U.S. users.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Claudia Sheinbaum, Google, President Donald J. Trump, the Republican-led House of Representatives.
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📍 Where & When: Sheinbaum announced the lawsuit on Friday, May 9, 2025; the name change was initiated in January with Trump’s Executive Order.
💬 Key Quote: “All we want is for the decree issued by the U.S. government to be complied with,” President Sheinbaum stated, asserting that Trump’s order to rename the Gulf only applies to the U.S.’s portion of the continental shelf.
⚠️ Impact: The renaming has led to international tensions and a legal dispute, with broader implications for U.S. foreign relations.
IN FULL:
Mexico has initiated legal action against Google for its decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America on its Maps platform for U.S. users, according to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. The controversy began when the Republican-controlled House of Representatives voted to officially rename the Gulf for federal agencies. This move followed an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump on his first day in office, arguing that Americans “do most of the work there, and it’s ours.”
President Sheinbaum has expressed her government’s stance that Trump’s order should apply solely to the U.S. portion of the continental shelf, insisting that the U.S. does not possess the authority to rename the entire Gulf. “All we want is for the decree issued by the U.S. government to be complied with,” she stated.
In January, Sheinbaum reached out to Google, requesting a reconsideration of the name change. When no action was taken, she threatened legal proceedings in February. Google has maintained that the change aligns with its “longstanding practice” of adopting name changes when updated by official government sources. The tech giant clarified that the Gulf’s name would remain unchanged for users in Mexico, while users globally would see “Gulf of Mexico (Gulf of America).”
The Associated Press (AP) has also been caught in the crossfire. Its refusal to adopt the new name led to a prolonged conflict with the White House, which restricted AP’s access to certain events until a federal judge intervened in April.
Further complicating matters, President Trump hinted at potentially renaming another body of water. During an upcoming visit to Saudi Arabia, he intends to announce that the U.S. will refer to the Persian Gulf as the Arabian Gulf or the Gulf of Arabia. This has prompted a strong reaction from Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who hopes the “absurd rumours” are merely a “disinformation campaign,” warning that such actions would provoke significant backlash from Iranians.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: The Trump administration is considering suspending habeas corpus for illegal aliens, citing the constitutional allowance during cases of “invasion” due to the border crisis inherited from the Biden era.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, and federal courts.
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📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C., with statements made on Friday, May 9, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. That’s an option we’re actively looking at,” Stephen Miller told the press.
⚠️ Impact: The move could streamline deportations and bolster border security, but it risks legal battles with activist judges, testing Trump’s resolve to restore immigration enforcement.
IN FULL:
The Trump administration is “actively looking at” suspending habeas corpus for illegal aliens. The constitutional principle, Latin for “you shall have the body,” allows detained persons to challenge their detention—but the Constitution states that the privilege of habeas corpus can be suspended “when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.” The Trump administration’s position is that the illegal immigration crisis that gathered pace under former President Joe Biden amounts to an invasion.
“The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion. That’s an option we’re actively looking at,” White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller told the press on Friday. “A lot of it depends on whether the courts do the right thing or not,” Miller said, arguing “radical rogue judges” are violating the Immigration and Nationality Act by intervening in immigration cases.
“By statute, the courts are stripped of jurisdiction from overruling a presidential determination… when courts stepped in, they were violating specific language that Congress had enacted saying they have no jurisdiction,” Miller added.
WATCH:
🚨 MAJOR BREAKING: Trump White House considers SUSPENDING the writ of habeas corpus for illegals just days after @DC_Draino floated the idea in the White House briefing room.
WHOA.
STEPHEN MILLER: “The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of… pic.twitter.com/HPNlRQyrAL
❓What Happened: A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) presenter has pleaded guilty to financial terror offences linked to the terrorist group Hezbollah.
💬 Key Quote: “Nazem Ahmad is a suspected terrorist financier and at the time of the business relationship between them it was directly within the knowledge of the defendant that Ahmad had been sanctioned as a terrorist financier of Hezbollah by the United States.” — The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
⚠️Impact: The case is just the latest to see a BBC presenter pleading guilty to serious crimes in the United Kingdom.
IN FULL:
A Nigerian-British television star and art dealer has pleaded guilty to financial terrorism offences linked to the Islamist terrorist group Hezbollah following a police probe. Oghenochuko ‘Ochuko’ Ojiri, who starred in the BBC program Bargain Hunt, admitted to eight counts of “failing to make a disclosure during the course of business within the regulated sector” on May 9.
The guilty plea came just a day after Ojiri was charged by prosecutors in London for the offences between October 2020 and December 2021. London’s Metropolitan police said that the charges stemmed from Ojiri’s relationship with a man named Nazem Ahmad, who is suspected of being a source of funding for Hezbollah.
Ahmad, a dual citizen of Belgium and Lebanon, where Hezbollah is based, has previously been sanctioned by both the United Kingdom and the United States due to his links to the terror group. Ojiri sold art worth around $186,000 to Ahmad.
“Nazem Ahmad is a suspected terrorist financier and at the time of the business relationship between them it was directly within the knowledge of the defendant that Ahmad had been sanctioned as a terrorist financier of Hezbollah by the United States,” the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.
Sentencing for Ojiri is expected next month. So far, the BBC has yet to comment on the case, claiming that any comment would not be appropriate.
The case is just the latest to see a BBC personality prosecuted for serious crimes in recent months. Last year, former lead BBC news anchor Huw Edwards pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children. Edwards, once the highest-paid news anchor at the BBC, was known worldwide for announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
In Australia, another BBC personality was jailed last August for ten years for raping and killing dozens of dogs. pleading guilty to 56 charges of bestiality and animal cruelty the year prior.
❓What Happened: The U.S. has granted refugee status to 54 white Afrikaner South Africans, who are expected to arrive in Washington, D.C., soon.
👥 Who’s Involved: The U.S. and South African governments, President Donald J. Trump, and 54 Afrikaner refugees.
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📍 Where & When: Expected arrival at Dulles International Airport, Washington, D.C., as soon as Monday.
💬 Key Quote: “The Department of State is prioritising consideration for U.S. refugee resettlement of Afrikaners in South Africa who are victims of unjust racial discrimination,” said a State Department spokesman.
⚠️ Impact: The move marks a significant shift in U.S. refugee policy, with expedited processing for Afrikaners, and raises questions about the treatment of South Africa’s centuries-old white minority.
IN FULL:
The United States has granted refugee status to 54 white Afrikaner South Africans,with their arrival in Washington, D.C. expected as early as Monday. This follows an executive order by President Donald J. Trump, who in February directed his administration to prioritize Afrikaners—descendants of mostly Dutch settlers whose presence in the country dates to 1652—citing government discrimination against them.
The U.S. refugee settlement program was suspended by Trump on his first day in office, leaving over 100,000 approved refugees from countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Afghanistan in limbo. However, the recent executive order has expedited the process for Afrikaners, who face having their farmland expropriated from them by the state, without compensation, under new laws. Similar legislation passed in neighboring Zimbabwe by the late President Robert Mugabe saw whites driven from their land, and in some cases, killed en masse.
White farmers in South Africa already face a disproportionate number of home invasions and murders, with the authorities turning a blind eye to large-scale rallies calling for their extermination.
Sources indicate that U.S. officials are coordinating the logistics of the Afrikaners’ arrival, with a charter flight to Dulles International Airport being considered. High-level officials from the Departments of State and Homeland Security are expected to greet the refugees upon arrival, a relatively unusual gesture.
While the exact arrival date remains unconfirmed, the State Department has emphasized its focus on Afrikaners facing “unjust racial discrimination.” This expedited processing contrasts with the typical 18 to 24 months it usually takes for refugee resettlement in the U.S.
❓What Happened: Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Holy Mass as pontiff, emphasizing the need for the Church to act as a “beacon” in areas with a “lack of faith.”
👥 Who’s Involved: Pope Leo XIV, previously Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the Roman Catholic Church’s 267th pope and first American leader.
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📍 Where & When: The first mass took place at the Vatican on May 9, following his election the previous day.
💬 Key Quote: “A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society,” Pope Leo XIV said.
⚠️ Impact: The Pope’s call for unity and outreach is expected to influence the Church’s approach to addressing modern societal challenges and global conflicts.
IN FULL:
Pope Leo XIV, the newly elected head of the Roman Catholic Church, delivered his inaugural Holy Mass at the Vatican on Friday, urging the Church to act as a “beacon” in regions suffering from a “lack of faith.” Previously, Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost, the 267th Pope and the first American to hold the position, was elected just a day prior in a historic conclave.
In his homily, Pope Leo XIV highlighted the Church‘s challenges, noting that many are turning away from faith and towards “technology, money, success, power, or pleasure.” He emphasized the need for missionary outreach in areas where Christian faith is seen as “absurd,” dominated by power and wealth.
The Pope remarked, “A lack of faith is often tragically accompanied by the loss of meaning in life, the neglect of mercy, appalling violations of human dignity, the crisis of the family and so many other wounds that afflict our society.” The Pope addressed the cardinals in the Sistine Chapel, calling for unity and collaboration.
The mass itself was primarily said in Latin, the traditional language of the Roman Catholic Church, while the homily was said initially in English and Italian.
World leaders, including U.S. President Donald J. Trump, have congratulated Pope Leo XIV on his election, with Trump calling it a “great honor” to have the first American pope.
Observers are keenly watching his upcoming public appearances, including Sunday’s Regina Coeli prayer and a Monday press conference, for indications of his leadership direction.
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By Popular Demand.
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❓What Happened: British Airways has announced a major deal to purchase 32 Boeing airplanes following the finalization of a landmark bilateral trade deal between the United States and the United Kingdom.
👥 Who’s Involved: British Airways and its parent company, IAG; Boeing; IAG CEO Luis Gallego, President Donald J. Trump, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
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📍 Where & When: British Airways announced the Boeing purchase on Friday, the landmark trade deal was announced in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, May 8, 2025.
💬 Key Quote: “Looking ahead to the next decade, these new aircraft will enable us to strengthen our core markets and further improve our customer experience, while continuing to drive long-term value for our shareholders,” said IAG CEO Luis Gallego.
⚠️ Impact: The airline purchase is one of the first major transactions following the finalization of the U.S.-UK bilateral trade agreement.
IN FULL:
The United Kingdom’s British Airways has inked a $13 billion deal to purchase 32 Boeing airplanes, according to its parent company, IAG. The deal was announced on Friday after U.S. President Donald J. Trump and British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer finalized a major bilateral trade agreement on Thursday.
Describing the Boeing deal as a “milestone,” IAG CEO Luis Gallego said: “Looking ahead to the next decade, these new aircraft will enable us to strengthen our core markets and further improve our customer experience, while continuing to drive long-term value for our shareholders.”
The major purchase was referenced by President Trump and his Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, on Thursday during the press availability after announcing the landmark bilateral trade deal with the United Kingdom. Both Trump and Lutnick emphasized that part of the agreement would end tariffs on Rolls-Royce, a British automotive and engine company that manufactures airline engines—including those used on a number of Boeing plane models.
Boeing and its chief competitor, Airbus, are the two largest airline manufacturers in the world, and together dominate the global market. China learned this fact the hard way when Chinese Communist Party (CCP) officials, in response to President Trump’s imposition of a 145 percent tariff on Chinese exports, halted acceptance of Boeing planes and parts deliveries. However, that move was quickly reversed as it became apparent that China’s domestic airline industry would not be able to function without the new airlines and parts.
❓What Happened: Joe Biden holdover Ricky Buria has been blocked from becoming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s permanent chief of staff by the White House, after The National Pulse exposed his past attacks on President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance.
👥 Who’s Involved: Ricky Buria, Pete Hegseth, Vice President J.D. Vance, President Trump, and Jennifer Hegseth.
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💬 Key Quote: “There is an ideological component to this,” said a Buria critic.
⚠️ Impact: Buria’s rise has caused internal strife and raised concerns about security protocols and political alignment within the Pentagon.
IN FULL:
Pentagon aide Ricky Buria, known to some as “Rasputin Ricky,” has been blocked by the White House from becoming Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s chief of staff. The news comes after an exclusive exposé published by The National Pulse, which shed light on previously unknown background information about Buria.
On April 22, The National Pulse described how Buria, a former aide to Biden-era Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, was amassing power at the Pentagon. A donation in 2023 to Democratic candidate Mike O’Brien via the notorious ActBlue platform was noted, particularly as O’Brien also received an endorsement from VoteVets—a partisan group that alleges President Trump “hates veterans” and called for Hegseth to be fired over “Signalgate.”
Buria has disparaged President Trump and Vice President Vance on many occasions, describing the latter’s foreign policy stance as “wackamamie crazy” and “isolationist.” He also blasted President Trump’s moves to use the military to assist with immigration enforcement as “dumb.”
Buria’s recent rise had been marked by internal clashes, including his role in dismissing three top aides, including the anti-war Dan Caldwell.
“Hegseth [was] elevating a Democrat who does not share the Vice President or the President’s worldview and who weaponized his position to push out internal rivals, including people who had very strong histories of being supporters of the MAGA agenda,” one source told the New York Post.
Security concerns have also been raised, with reports of Buria flouting protocols by bringing personal devices into secure areas. His close relationship with Hegseth has drawn comparisons to the Russian mystic Rasputin, with Buria reportedly wielding significant influence over departmental decisions.
“This is without question the worst in a string of bad judgment calls recently by Secretary Hegseth,” said one source of Buria’s elevation.
Following The National Pulse’s report, the White House personnel office is understood to have assessed Buria’s credentials, ultimately refusing him the chief of staff position. It is currently unclear whether Buria will remain in the department at all.
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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump urged China to open its markets to the U.S. and suggested reducing tariffs on Chinese goods.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald Trump, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Chinese officials.
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📍 Where & When: Comments made in Washington, D.C. on Friday; meetings between the U.S. and China set in Switzerland over the weekend.
💬 Key Quote: “CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!” – President Trump on Truth Social.
⚠️ Impact: Potential reduction in tariffs and improved trade relations between the U.S. and China.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump has called for China to open its markets to the United States, suggesting a potential reduction in tariffs on Chinese imports. This announcement comes ahead of planned trade discussions between American and Chinese officials in Switzerland this weekend.
On Friday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, emphasizing the benefits for China if it opens its markets to American goods. He stated, “CHINA SHOULD OPEN UP ITS MARKET TO USA — WOULD BE SO GOOD FOR THEM!!! CLOSED MARKETS DON’T WORK ANYMORE!!!” In a subsequent post, he mentioned, “80% Tariff on China seems right! Up to Scott B,” referring to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
Currently, tariffs on most Chinese goods stand at 145 percent, a figure established last month following China’s retaliatory measures against U.S. tariffs. Meanwhile, China has imposed a 125 percent levy on most American products. Speaking in the Oval Office on Thursday, Trump indicated that these tariffs would not increase further and could only decrease. “It’s at 145, so we know it’s coming down,” he remarked, expressing optimism about future relations with China.
Treasury Secretary Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are scheduled to meet with Chinese counterparts in Geneva over the weekend to negotiate a trade deal. Greer commented on the upcoming talks, saying, “At President Trump’s direction, I am negotiating with countries to rebalance our trade relations to achieve reciprocity, open new markets, and protect America’s economic and national security.” He anticipates productive discussions with his international counterparts.
Bessent has described the current economic dynamics with China as “unsustainable” and emphasized the U.S. desire for “fair trade” without a complete decoupling from China.
In related trade developments, Trump announced a significant trade agreement with the United Kingdom on Thursday. This deal aims to enhance U.S. market access in Britain for billions of dollars worth of American exports. However, a 10 percent baseline tariff on many British goods remains, with specific exceptions for Rolls-Royce engines and airplane parts, among other products.
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