President Trump defended Special Envoy Steve Witkoff’s actions, calling them standard practice for dealmakers. Trump stated that Witkoff was simply doing his job by selling the deal to both Ukraine and Russia, highlighting the necessity of pressure and persuasion in negotiations. While admitting he hadn’t heard the specific recording, Trump viewed the approach as a normal form of negotiation, implying that both sides needed to compromise. These comments came in response to Bloomberg’s publication of a transcript where Witkoff advised Putin’s aides on presenting a “peace agreement” to Trump.
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Ukraine’s leaders have established firm conditions for any peace deal with Russia, including no recognition of Russian land grabs, limitations on its defense forces, or vetoes on future alliances. President Zelensky highlighted the demand for recognition of stolen territory as the primary obstacle in negotiations, emphasizing that borders should not be altered through force. Amid intensive talks in Geneva, Ukrainian, US, and European officials have drafted a “refined peace framework” addressing key issues such as Ukraine’s army size and prisoner exchanges, but the critical matters of territory and NATO membership remain unresolved. The US has also proposed a 10-year security pact and is encouraging unity within Ukraine as the discussions accelerate, aiming to present the final plan to Moscow pending European backing.
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In ongoing discussions regarding a proposed peace plan for Ukraine, questions have arisen about its origins. The plan, which reportedly originated from Moscow and was presented by the US, involves significant concessions from Ukraine, including territorial transfers and limitations on its military. European leaders have expressed reservations, primarily due to concerns that it undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty by precluding NATO membership and setting conditions for EU accession. Despite these issues and contradictions in statements by US officials, negotiations continue in Geneva, with Ukraine seeking a deal to stop the bloodshed and the US attempting to “iron out the final details.”
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Schiff says Republicans may ‘cheat’ on any shutdown compromise. This sentiment, or a variation of it, seems to be a widespread belief among many, reflecting a deep-seated distrust in the Republican Party’s willingness to uphold their end of any negotiated agreement during a government shutdown. The phrase “They will cheat. No question about that” captures the essence of this skepticism, a sentiment that permeates the entire discussion.
The implication is clear: any compromise reached, any promise made, is potentially a setup, a strategic maneuver designed to extract concessions without any intention of following through. The repeated references to “cheating,” “lying,” and “negotiating in bad faith” reinforce this perception, painting a picture of a political environment where integrity is secondary to ideological gains and political maneuvering.… Continue reading
In response to an Ontario ad campaign featuring Ronald Reagan criticizing tariffs, former U.S. President Donald Trump terminated all trade negotiations with Canada. Trump cited a complaint from The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, which claimed the ad misrepresented Reagan’s 1987 speech. Ontario Premier Doug Ford countered by sharing a link to the unedited Reagan video, showcasing Reagan’s stance against tariffs. Trump accused the ad of being fraudulent and intended to influence a pending U.S. Supreme Court case concerning his tariffs.
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AP News reports that China responded to the 100% tariff threat from President Donald Trump by urging the United States to negotiate instead of resorting to tariffs. The Commerce Ministry stated that China is not afraid of a trade war while Trump responded in a less confrontational manner on social media, seemingly focused on not hurting the U.S. financial markets. Vice President JD Vance commented that Trump is committed to protecting America’s economic livelihoods and that the U.S. is prepared to defend itself if China responds aggressively. Both sides have accused the other of violating the spirit of a trade truce.
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US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has publicly stated that India is among the countries the US aims to rectify within its trade agenda, urging them to adjust their trade practices for better access to the American market. He cited high US trade levies on Indian goods and stated that these nations must “react correctly” to the US by opening markets and ceasing actions deemed harmful. Lutnick has set specific conditions, including discontinuing purchases of Russian oil and withdrawing from BRICS, or face consequences. Trade negotiations between India and the US have resumed, but the US is looking for major changes in India’s trade and geopolitical approach.
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President Donald Trump has canceled a White House meeting with top congressional Democrats, citing “unserious and ridiculous demands” as the reason. He claimed Democrats seek over $1 trillion in new spending for various programs and policies. Democratic leaders, including Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries, responded by criticizing Trump’s decision and expressing their readiness to negotiate to avoid a government shutdown. Both sides had previously confirmed the meeting, but with Congress away from Washington, D.C., no path forward has been decided.
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Japanese Trade Minister Ryosei Akazawa canceled a planned trip to the U.S. to discuss the U.S.-Japan trade deal due to unresolved technical issues. The cancellation stems from discrepancies regarding U.S. tariff measures, specifically the desired amendment of a presidential order to lower tariffs on automobiles and auto parts. Japan is pushing for a “no-stacking” arrangement, mirroring the EU deal, and is concerned about potential negative impacts on exports, industrial production, and corporate profits, particularly within the manufacturing sector, if the issues are not resolved. Discussions are now expected to continue at the administrative level, with a potential rescheduled visit by Akazawa possibly happening next week.
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During a recent interview on Meet the Press, JD Vance defended Donald Trump’s approach to ending the war in Ukraine through negotiations, advocating for concessions. In an attempt to illustrate his point, Vance incorrectly cited World War II as an example of a conflict that ended through negotiation, when in reality, it concluded with unconditional surrender. This statement drew criticism as it overlooked the actual historical events. The interview highlighted the potential shift in the US’s role to mediation, with a suggestion that Ukraine might need to make territorial concessions to end the conflict, a shift from Trump’s previous stance.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood