President Trump announced on Monday that reciprocal tariffs on imports from at least seven countries will be reimposed starting August 1, after initially pausing them in April. Letters were sent to various leaders, including Japan and South Korea, outlining the new tariff rates, which include a 24% tariff for Japan and a 25% for South Korea. These tariffs are aimed at correcting trade deficits and come with warnings against retaliatory duties. The letters also state that these tariffs may be modified. U.S. financial markets reacted negatively to the news.
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Following deadly flash floods in Texas that claimed at least 80 lives, President Trump dismissed concerns about potential staffing shortages at the National Weather Service (NWS), labeling the event as an unforeseen “once-in-a-100-years” occurrence. The NWS had issued flash flood warnings, though some officials, including Texas Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd, noted discrepancies between initial forecasts and the actual rainfall. Despite these issues, the NWS has stated its commitment to their mission. As rescue operations continue, concerns are growing regarding the potential impact of government staffing cuts and the accuracy of weather predictions in disaster preparedness.
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Responding to questions about the Texas floods, President Trump stated his administration had no plans to rehire meteorologists previously let go due to budget cuts. When asked if the government needed to rehire meteorologists, Trump responded, “I would think not,” as the floods occurred too quickly for anyone to have predicted the event. Critics on social media quickly condemned the president’s remarks, with many suggesting he was shirking responsibility for the disaster and the potential for more accurate forecasting. The president was also criticized for spending the weekend at a golf resort.
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The Justice Department and FBI released a memo attempting to debunk conspiracy theories surrounding Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 death, stating there’s no evidence of murder, blackmail, or a client list. This memo, obtained by news outlets, included links to video footage of the Manhattan facility where Epstein was detained. Despite Trump’s past promises to release Epstein-related records, and after comments from Elon Musk implying Trump’s involvement, the memo asserts that no further disclosures are warranted. The memo has already sparked outrage among conservatives, with some accusing the Trump administration of covering up the full extent of Epstein’s crimes.
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President Trump announced letters would be sent to countries, warning of tariff reinstatement if trade deals aren’t finalized. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick clarified that tariffs would take effect on August 1st, while the president sets the rates. This announcement pushes back the original July 9th deadline, with tariffs potentially ranging from 10 to 70 percent, as previously announced. Trump also threatened additional tariffs on countries aligning with BRICS, adding to the uncertainty surrounding the trade war.
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In response to potential electoral backlash, Trump administration officials downplayed the Medicaid cuts included in the tax bill during Sunday interviews. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed Democrats were falsely portraying the work requirements as burdensome, while National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett denied widespread loss of health coverage would occur. Despite these assertions, nonpartisan estimates suggest the bill could cause millions to lose health insurance due to new work requirements and expiring subsidies. These new requirements, which mandate proof of work or related activities, and increased verification hurdles are expected to complicate access to Medicaid and coverage under the Affordable Care Act.
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Following threats of new tariffs by former U.S. President Donald Trump against countries aligning with BRICS, China responded that the economic group does not seek confrontation and does not target any specific nation. China’s Foreign Ministry emphasized BRICS’ focus on cooperation and inclusivity in response to the potential tariff hikes. Trump’s plans to reimpose higher tariffs threaten to disrupt global trade, despite a recent trade agreement between the U.S. and China. The BRICS summit in Brazil condemned the tariff increases without naming Trump, while key leaders, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, were notably absent.
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President Donald Trump has threatened a 10 percent tariff on countries aligning with the BRICS nations, which includes Russia, potentially impacting Russian President Vladimir Putin. This follows a BRICS summit where they condemned Trump’s import tariffs and strikes on Iran. Trump’s warning, posted on Truth Social, also comes after the group criticized U.S. tariffs and NATO’s increased defense spending. This could signal a tougher stance toward Russia, with the 90-day pause on Trump’s reciprocal tariffs set to expire soon.
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President Trump has introduced a new proposal allowing farmers to vouch for migrant farmworkers facing deportation, permitting them to remain in the U.S. Under the plan, to be implemented in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, farmers would essentially be put in charge, ensuring that those who have worked diligently on their farms can stay. While acknowledging potential opposition from some, the President argued it was necessary to maintain the American agricultural sector, also suggesting the possibility of expanding the plan to the hospitality industry. The proposal has already drawn criticism from some Republicans, who questioned the selective enforcement of immigration laws.
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Following devastating flash floods in Texas, President Trump addressed reporters in New Jersey. When questioned about federal cuts potentially impacting the disaster response, Trump dismissed the inquiry and deferred blame to the Biden administration. He also expressed uncertainty about rehiring meteorologists who had been let go. Despite Trump’s statements, the National Weather Service confirmed issuing warnings hours before the floods, contradicting his assessment of the situation.
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John Q. Hosedrinker