President Donald Trump is gearing up for a trip to the Middle East, where he’ll be trying to work out some peace deals between Russia and Ukraine, as well as in the Gaza Strip. The U.S. and China have agreed to cut reciprocal tariffs for 90 days, which seems to have pleased the U.S. markets quite a bit, with stock futures on the rise.
Tariffs might get a lot steeper if a deal isn’t reached with China, according to Trump. He mentioned that the tariffs against China could jump up by more than 145% if a longer-term trade agreement isn’t hammered out within the next 90 days. However, he did express some optimism, saying, “I think you will have a deal, however.” He also hinted at a possible chat with Chinese President Xi Jinping by the end of the week.
Not really sure why this matters, but a group of House Democrats is calling for an investigation into the firing of Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. They’re concerned about a potential unauthorized transfer of data between congressional and executive branch agencies. The Democrats argue that the executive branch shouldn’t be snooping around in legislative branch data without consent from Congress. Hayden’s abrupt dismissal has definitely raised some eyebrows.
In other news, House Speaker Mike Johnson is staying mum on Trump possibly receiving a luxury jet from Qatar. He claims he hasn’t seen all the details yet, so he’s not ready to comment. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s parliament has ratified an agreement with the U.S. to establish the American-Ukrainian Reconstruction Investment Fund. This deal not only involves financial support but also aims to build trust with the U.S. and boost economic stability in Ukraine. Additionally, the agreement grants the U.S. access to rare earth minerals in Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is hopeful for a potential meeting between Ukraine and Russia, with Trump possibly attending. Zelenskyy has expressed support for direct talks with Putin and is looking forward to discussions in Turkey. On the Russian side, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has mentioned a serious search for ways to achieve a long-term peaceful settlement. Trump himself has hinted at flying to Istanbul during his Middle East trip this week.
So, there you have it, folks. The latest updates on Trump’s international endeavors and the ongoing negotiations with China, Ukraine, and Russia. Stay tuned for more developments as the week unfolds.
