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Sunday, June 29, 2025

Tag: trade
June 27, 2025
William Upton
Breaking

BREAKING: Trump Terminates Trade Talks With Canada.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has broken off trade talks with Canada after America’s northern neighbor announced it would implement a digital services tax on U.S. technology companies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Canada, the United States, and U.S. technology companies.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced Friday, June 27, 2025, on Trump’s Truth Social platform.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE with, including the fact that they have charged our Farmers as much as 400% Tariffs, for years, on Dairy Products, has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country,” President Trump wrote.

🎯IMPACT: President Trump indicated the U.S. would retaliate against the Canadian tax on U.S. technology companies by imposing a new round of tariffs on Canadian businesses.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump announced on Friday that the United States is ending all trade negotiations with Canada “effective immediately” after the country announced it would impose a digital services tax on American technology companies. The United States and Canada had been engaged in protracted trade talks for weeks, with the negotiations being frustrated by the steep tariffs America’s northern neighbor imposes on U.S. farmers.

“We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE with, including the fact that they have charged our Farmers as much as 400% Tariffs, for years, on Dairy Products, has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country,” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He continued: “They are obviously copying the European Union, which has done the same thing, and is currently under discussion with us, also. Based on this egregious Tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately.”

“We will let Canada know the Tariff that they will be paying to do business with the United States of America within the next seven day period. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump added.

In recent weeks, the Trump White House has made significant progress in bilateral trade negotiations with a number of countries. After announcing a global 10 percent tariff in April, the United States has struck trade agreements with both the United Kingdom and China. Additional talks with key trade partners like India and Japan remain ongoing, and agreements with both nations appear imminent.

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June 25, 2025
Jack Montgomery
NatSec
News

‘Daddy’ Trump Scores ‘Monumental Win’ Over NATO — But One Member Faces Trade Sanctions.

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: NATO leaders agreed to raise annual defense spending to 5% of GDP, following pressure from President Donald J. Trump, who also warned Spain of trade consequences for non-compliance.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, NATO member nations, and the Spanish government

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 26, 2025, NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands

💬KEY QUOTE: “This would not have happened if you would not have been elected in 2016 and re-elected last year… so I want to thank you.” – Mark Rutte

🎯IMPACT: The agreement marks a seismic policy shift within NATO, realigns financial responsibility, and reaffirms Trump’s influence over transatlantic defense policy.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday celebrated a major policy breakthrough as NATO allies agreed to boost their defense spending to five percent of GDP annually—a goal Trump has pushed since his first election in 2016. “It’s a monumental win for the United States, because we were carrying much more than our fair share,” Trump told reporters after the summit concluded in The Hague.

Speaking alongside Trump, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the American First leader’s role in driving the agreement, acknowledging: “This would not have happened if you would not have been elected in 2016 and re-elected last year… so I want to thank you.” Rutte emphasized the need to “equalise with the United States” and keep Europe safe in the face of growing threats.

In a moment that quickly went viral, Rutte also defended Trump’s sharp rhetoric towards Israel and Iran over ceasefire violations, joking, “Daddy has to use tough language.” The President had chastised both nations for continuing to fight while the ceasefire was pending and shortly after it was supposed to come into force, telling reporters that their governments “don’t know what the f**k they’re doing.”

Socialist-led Spain has proved to be a wrinkle in the defense spending pledge, insisting on an opt-out. Trump has warned they will face punishment for this, saying, “They want a little bit of a free ride, but they’ll have to pay it back to us on trade, because I’m not going to let that happen. It’s unfair.”

This could lead to friction with the European Union (EU), as EU members—including Spain—must follow a common policy on external commerce and, potentially dragging the entire bloc into a Spanish-American trade clash.

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June 18, 2025
Economy
News

European Union Admits ‘Donald Is Right.’

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❓WHAT HAPPENED: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen acknowledged President Donald J. Trump’s stance on China’s trade policies during the G7 summit, stating, “Donald is right.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ursula von der Leyen, President Trump, and other G7 leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: During the G7 Summit in Alberta, Canada, which began Monday and runs through Tuesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “On this point, Donald is right—there is a serious problem,” von der Leyen said regarding China’s trade practices.

🎯IMPACT: The remarks highlight growing concerns over China’s trade policies and the potential for further international action against the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

IN FULL

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen expressed agreement with President Donald J. Trump on China’s trade practices during the G7 summit, stating, “Donald is right.” She emphasized the need to focus on the real challenges posed by China’s abusive trade policies rather than disputes over tariffs among allies.

Von der Leyen pointed to China’s restrictions on raw material exports, which are critical for industries like automotive and renewable energy, accusing Beijing of “weaponizing” its control over these resources. She highlighted China’s April restrictions on permanent magnet exports, coinciding with Trump’s reciprocal tariff plan to address the U.S. trade deficit.

“This is not market competition—it is distortion with intent,” von der Leyen said, criticizing China’s approach to intellectual property, subsidies, and global market dominance. She warned of a “new China shock” as the country continues to flood Western and other international markets with state-subsidized, low-cost products.

The G7 summit, held in Alberta, Canada, focused on trade, the Russia-Ukraine war, and tensions in the Middle East, particularly the escalating conflict between Israel and Iran. President Trump departed the summit early to return to Washington, D.C., citing the need to address the Iran situation directly. “I don’t believe in telephones,” Trump told reporters, emphasizing the importance of being on the scene.

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June 11, 2025
Economy
News

Trump Announces ‘Deal With China Is Done’ Following London Tariff Talks.

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❓What Happened: A “framework deal” was reached between the U.S. and China during trade talks in London, England, though it awaits final approval by U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, President Xi, U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang.

📍 Where & When: Trade negotiations occurred in London on June 8-9, 2025, with President Trump announcing the deal on June 10, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: President Trump posted on Truth Social, “Deal with China is done, subject to final approval with President Xi and me. Relationship is excellent!”

⚠️ Impact: The agreement aims to ease trade tensions, facilitate rare earth exports, and prevent a potential economic slowdown caused by supply chain disruptions.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump announced on Wednesday that a “framework deal” has been reached between the United States and China after two days of intensive trade talks in London, England. The agreement, which seeks to ease tensions in the ongoing trade war between the two nations, still requires formal approval by both Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The negotiations concluded late Tuesday night, with both sides confirming progress. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick described the talks as an effort to “get the negativity out” of the bilateral relationship, adding that the focus is now on fostering “positive trade, growing trade.”

Under the proposed framework, China will maintain a 10 percent tariff on U.S. goods, while the U.S. retains a 55 percent tariff on Chinese imports. The deal also includes commitments for China to resume and increase exports of rare earth minerals critical to U.S. industries. In exchange, the U.S. will provide aerospace parts and semiconductor programming technology to China, along with renewed access for Chinese students to American universities.

President Trump took to Truth Social to declare, “OUR DEAL WITH CHINA IS DONE, SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL WITH PRESIDENT XI AND ME. FULL MAGNETS, AND ANY NECESSARY RARE EARTHS, WILL BE SUPPLIED, UP FRONT, BY CHINA.”

The talks in London follow a preliminary agreement reached in Geneva, Switzerland, in May, which temporarily paused record-high tariffs of well over 100 percent on imports from both nations. The current tariffs, reduced to 30 percent for U.S. imports from China and 10 percent for Chinese imports from the U.S., could spike again if the framework is not finalized before July 9.

China’s state-run media has acknowledged “new progress” in the talks but offered no specifics. Vice Commerce Minister Li Chenggang confirmed the framework was agreed upon “in principle.”

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June 6, 2025
Economy
News

China Says Trump, Xi Talked Trade Over Telephone.

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❓What Happened: Former President Donald Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping amid ongoing trade negotiations.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump, Xi Jinping, and their respective administrations.

📍 Where & When: The conversation reportedly took place Thursday morning, per Chinese state media.

💬 Key Quote: “I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!” – Donald Trump on Truth Social.

⚠️ Impact: The call may indicate some limited progress in U.S.-China trade talks.

IN FULL:

According to Chinese state media, President Donald J. Trump spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday morning. The conversation comes as Trump continues to promote his tariff-driven approach to trade, which is pressuring foreign nations to engage in negotiations.

On Wednesday, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to comment on his Chinese counterpart, writing, “I like President XI of China, always have, and always will, but he is VERY TOUGH, AND EXTREMELY HARD TO MAKE A DEAL WITH!!!”

The call comes amid continued tensions between the United States and China over trade. President Trump and his administration have accused China of unfair trade practices and initially subjected the country to punishing tariffs. Last month, however, President Trump agreed to ease tariffs on China in a temporary truce.

However, just weeks later, President Trump accused China of violating the deal, despite the fact that many Chinese factories were on he verge of collapse before he offered the deal to assist Beijing. “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” Trump stated.

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June 4, 2025
UK

Brexit Britain Dodges Trump’s 50% Steel, Aluminum Tariff Bullet.

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❓What Happened: The United Kingdom has been excluded from a U.S. executive order that doubles steel and aluminum tariffs from 25 percent to 50 percent.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. President Donald Trump, the British government, and U.S. firms importing steel and aluminum.

📍 Where & When: President Trump’s executive order was signed in the U.S. on Tuesday evening, impacting international trade.

💬 Key Quote: A British government spokesman stated it remains “committed to protecting British business and jobs across key sectors, including steel as part of our plan for change.”

⚠️ Impact: British exporters avoid the immediate tariff hike, showcasing a benefit of Britain leaving the European Union (EU) and regaining control over its international trade policy. However, it faces potential increases if the terms of the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal are not met by July 9.

IN FULL:

The United Kingdom has avoided a tariff increase under a new executive order signed by U.S. President Donald J. Trump that doubles steel and aluminum import taxes for many countries. While the order raises tariffs on these materials from 25 percent to 50 percent for most nations, Britain, which regained control over international trade policy on exiting the European Union (EU), will maintain a lower rate—at least for now.

The exemption hinges on compliance with the U.S.-UK Economic Prosperity Deal (EPD), agreed between the Trump administration and the British government on May 8. According to the order, if the United Kingdom fails to meet the terms of the EPD by July 9, the tariff rate could rise to 50 percent.

The executive order, signed on Tuesday evening, aims to increase costs for U.S. firms importing steel and aluminum from abroad, bolstering the American steel industry.

The exemption for Britain provides relief for British exporters, who would otherwise face significant financial strain under the heightened tariffs.

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June 3, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Economy

Trump Tariff Triumph as Vietnam Signs Deals Worth $2bn to American Farmers.

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❓What Happened: Vietnam has agreed to purchase over $2 billion in U.S. agricultural products in an effort to ease trade tensions and avoid a 46 percent tariff threatened by President Donald J. Trump.

👤Who’s Involved: President Trump, Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture Do Duc Duy, U.S. farmers—especially in Iowa—and companies including Westinghouse Electric, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin.

🧾Key Quote: The Vietnamese agriculture ministry confirmed five memoranda of understanding for $800 million in purchases from Iowa alone over the next three years.

⚠️Fallout: Vietnam, which holds one of the largest trade surpluses with the U.S., is seeking to avoid stiff retaliatory tariffs by shifting its import strategy and deepening commercial ties with American producers.

📌Significance: The move marks a significant win for Trump’s America First trade agenda, delivering tangible benefits to U.S. farmers while pressuring foreign governments to rebalance trade deficits.

IN FULL:

Vietnam announced Tuesday that it will sign deals worth more than $2 billion with the United States to purchase American agricultural products, as the Southeast Asian nation works to head off a looming 46 percent reciprocal tariff proposed by President Donald J. Trump.

The agreement, unveiled during a U.S. visit by Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy, includes five memoranda of understanding to purchase products such as soybean meal, corn, wheat, dried soybeans, and dried distillers’ grains (DDGS). The deals will significantly boost agricultural imports from the United States over the next three years.

In particular, the agreements cover $800 million in purchases from the state of Iowa—up from a previous average of just $44 million per year, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture.

Vietnam currently has the third-largest trade surplus with the United States, behind only China and Mexico. The surplus has placed it squarely in the crosshairs of President Trump’s tariff policy, which aims to realign America’s trade relationships and support domestic industry and agriculture.

The agricultural purchases are part of a broader effort by Vietnam to smooth over its trade imbalance. The country is preparing for a third round of trade negotiations with U.S. officials in the coming days, following what it called “positive progress” during earlier discussions in Washington.

In addition to the agricultural deals, Vietnamese officials met with representatives from American firms, including Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and Google, and signed an agreement with Westinghouse Electric to cooperate on nuclear power development.

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May 30, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

Trump Blames Federalist Society ‘Sleazebag’ for Recommending Bad Judges.

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump blamed Leonard Leo and the Federalist Society for recommending bad judges early in his first term, linking their influence to a U.S. Court of International Trade ruling that attempted to overturn his tariff policy.

👤Who’s Involved: President Trump, the Federalist Society, Leonard Leo, the U.S. Court of International Trade, and the New Civil Liberties Alliance.

📍 Where & When: Truth Social platform, with Trump’s post on May 30, 2025, following the trade court’s now-stayed ruling.

🧾Key Quote: “I was new to Washington, and it was suggested that I use The Federalist Society… but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real ‘sleazebag’ named Leonard Leo,” Trump wrote.

⚠️ Impact: Trump warns that the tariff ruling threatens presidential power and America’s economic defense against adversaries like Communist China.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump has blamed the Federalist Society for recommending bad judges to him near the beginning of his first term, when he had few contacts in Washington, D.C. The America First leader explained the situation on his Truth Social platform after the obscure U.S. Court of International Trade attempted to overturn his tariff policy in its entirety in a now-stayed ruling.

“Where do these… Judges come from? How is it possible for them to have potentially done such damage to the United States of America? Is it purely a hatred of ‘TRUMP?’ What other reason could it be?” Trump wrote.

He continued: “I was new to Washington, and it was suggested that I use The Federalist Society as a recommending source on Judges. I did so, openly and freely, but then realized that they were under the thumb of a real ‘sleazebag’ named Leonard Leo, a bad person who, in his own way, probably hates America, and obviously has his own separate ambitions.”

Trump said that Leo, who is still co-chairman of the Federalist Society, “openly brags how he controls Judges, and even Justices of the United States Supreme Court—I hope that is not so, and don’t believe it is!”

The President said he was “so disappointed in The Federalist Society” for its “bad advice… on numerous Judicial Nominations,” warning that if the U.S. Court of International Trade’s tariff ruling is ultimately upheld, it will “destroy our Nation!”

On the prospect of Congress having to approve every tariff, he described a process in which “hundreds of politicians would sit around D.C. for weeks, and even months, trying to come to a conclusion,” hamstringing his ability to act in the American interest against foreign governments.

“If allowed to stand, this would completely destroy Presidential Power—The Presidency would never be the same!” Trump argued, insisting, “The President of the United States must be allowed to protect America against those that are doing it Economic and Financial harm.”

“Hopefully, the Supreme Court will reverse this horrible, Country threatening decision, QUICKLY and DECISIVELY,” he said.

The New Civil Liberties Alliance, which is affiliated with Leo, is among the organizations mounting a lawfare campaign against Trump’s tariff polices, attempting to overturn levies imposed on imports from Communist China.

In 202s, Leo’s Marble Freedom Trust—a 501(c)4 nonprofit that operates as a funding organ for a network of conservative legal and policy groups—effectively received a $1.65 billion contribution through a financial deal executed by Chicago businessman Barre Seid.

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May 30, 2025
News

Trump Says China Already Breaking Trade Deal: ‘So Much for Being Mr. NICE GUY!’

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❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump accused China of breaching a trade agreement with the U.S. just weeks after both nations agreed to a temporary easing of tariffs.

👥 Who’s Involved: Donald Trump, the United States, and China.

📍 Where & When: Trump’s statement was made on Truth Social on Friday, following a May 12 agreement between the U.S. and China.

💬 Key Quote: “The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US. So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!” – Donald Trump.

⚠️ Impact: The claim could reignite tensions between the two countries, potentially affecting trade relations and economic stability.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump on Friday accused China of violating a trade agreement with the United States, just weeks after both nations reached a temporary truce on tariffs. President Trump made the remarks on his Truth Social platform, noting that “Many [Chinese] factories closed and there was, to put it mildly, ‘civil unrest'” following his initial high tariffs.

“I made a FAST DEAL with China in order to save them from what I thought was going to be a very bad situation… Because of this deal, everything quickly stabilized and China got back to business as usual. Everybody was happy!” the America First leader explained.

“That is the good news!!! The bad news is that China, perhaps not surprisingly to some, HAS TOTALLY VIOLATED ITS AGREEMENT WITH US,” he continued, adding: “So much for being Mr. NICE GUY!”

The trade agreement, established on May 12, involved a 90-day suspension of most tariffs imposed by both countries earlier this year. As part of the deal, the U.S. reduced its tariffs on Chinese goods to approximately 30 percent, down from 145 percent, while China lowered its levies on American imports to 10 percent.

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May 27, 2025
Economy
News

Trump Tariffs Revenues Soar AGAIN, Creating More Wealth for America.

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❓What Happened: U.S. government tariff receipts for May have already surpassed $22.3 billion.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Treasury Department.

📍 Where & When: United States, May 2023.

💬 Key Quote: “We’re going to make a lot of money [from tariffs] and that money’s going to be used to reduce taxes,” Trump said on April 23.

⚠️ Impact: Tariff revenues have surged, now representing around four percent of federal revenue overall.

IN FULL:

Tariff revenues collected by the U.S. government in May have already exceeded $22.3 billion, according to data from the Treasury Department. A significant deposit of over $16.5 billion was recorded on May 22 alone.

This spike in receipts, categorized under “Customs and Certain Excise Taxes,” has been driven by President Donald J. Trump’s trade policies, aimed at encouraging the reshoring of American manufacturing from foreign countries.

The total for May has already surpassed the $17.4 billion collected in April and the $9.6 billion in March. Since January 1, more than $92 billion has flowed into government coffers.

The surge follows the implementation of a 10 percent tariff on nearly all imports starting April 5, marking the first full month these duties were in effect. Additional tariffs on products such as steel and aluminum are in place for most countries, and some countries also face tariffs particular to them, with China paying a 20 percent tariff for its role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis, for instance.

May did see tariff reductions on many imports from China and the United Kingdom. However, despite these concessions, President Trump hinted at the possibility of further tariffs, warning on social media, “I am empowered to ‘SET A DEAL’ for Trade into the United States if we are unable to make a deal.”

The America First leader has also indicated plans for new tariffs targeting specific sectors that make important products abroad, such as semiconductors and pharmaceuticals and potentially companies like Apple and Samsung. These tariffs are part of broader efforts to reshape U.S. manufacturing and generate revenue.

Historically, tariff revenues have accounted for approximately two percent of federal revenue, with the recent surge roughly doubling that figure to around four percent.

“We’re going to make a lot of money [from tariffs] and that money’s going to be used to reduce taxes,” Trump stated on April 23.

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