Displaying items by tag: Donald Trump

A federal court has blocked Donald Trump’s broad use of tariffs, ruling that the Constitution grants Congress - not the president - authority to regulate foreign commerce. The decision challenges Trump's use of the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose sweeping import taxes, a cornerstone of his ‘America First’ agenda. Two lawsuits, one by small businesses and another by a coalition of US states, sparked the ruling. The court also blocked tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada, imposed under immigration and drug control claims. However, tariffs on specific goods like steel and cars were not addressed. Markets responded positively, with global stocks rising and the dollar strengthening. If the ruling is upheld, affected businesses may receive tariff refunds with interest. Legal experts suggest the decision may constrain executive power over trade, sending a strong constitutional message. The White House has vowed to appeal, calling the ruling a judicial overreach. In another development, the Trump administration has asked the supreme court to overturn a judge’s ban on deporting migrants without giving them a chance to seek legal relief: see Breaking news: the ban on tariffs has been temporarily paused by an appeal court.

Donald Trump’s administration has ordered US embassies to halt new student visa appointments as it prepares to expand social media vetting of international applicants. The move is part of a broader crackdown on US universities, which Trump accuses of harbouring left-wing and antisemitic sentiment amid pro-Palestinian campus protests. Embassies are directed to cancel unscheduled interviews, with warnings of ‘significant implications’ for visa processing. Critics say this threatens the rights and futures of international students, who often pay higher fees and significantly fund the universities. The administration has frozen millions in university funding, revoked thousands of visas, and moved to deport foreign students - many actions now under legal challenge. Harvard University, a prime target, recently had its ability to host international students suspended, though a federal judge blocked the decision: for a view on how much its international students contribute, see Critics argue the social media screening policy infringes on free speech, while Trump insists it protects national security and combats extremism.

Donald Trump began a Middle East tour with major policy and economic announcements, including lifting long-standing US sanctions on Syria - a country rebuilding after civil war and regime change. The move, which follows a request by Saudi Arabia’s de facto ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, signals a dramatic policy shift. Trump also unveiled a $600 billion Saudi investment commitment in the USA and signed a record-breaking $142 billion arms agreement with Riyadh. The visit prioritised economic cooperation over security concerns and featured meetings with top US business leaders and Saudi officials. The deals, on energy, defence, and infrastructure, could eventually total $1 trillion. Trump praised bin Salman but avoided any mention of the 2018 Khashoggi killing. He also reaffirmed a hard stance against Iran, offering conditional diplomacy. His broader goal: to realign regional power structures, bolster US business, and isolate Tehran while pushing for eventual Arab-Israeli cooperation.

Donald Trump is poised to announce a significant new trade agreement between the USA and the United Kingdom, marking a key step forward in post-Brexit trade relations. A ‘heads of terms agreement’ - essentially a preliminary framework - has been reached, laying the groundwork for a full trade deal. The announcement, expected from the Oval Office, follows weeks of high-level discussions amid global trade tensions. While the deal’s full details are pending, it is anticipated to address tariff reductions, particularly on UK steel and car exports, sectors hit hard by US tariffs. The British pound rose 0.4% against the US dollar following reports of the agreement. The deal comes as the USA also continues trade negotiations with other major economies, including China, South Korea, and Japan. UK officials have stressed the importance of balancing strong transatlantic ties with ongoing EU relations. The agreement is seen as a boost for UK industry and a strategic move to strengthen bilateral economic partnerships in an uncertain global climate. See also

Donald Trump’s administration has launched a voluntary ‘self-deportation’ initiative offering $1,000 to illegal immigrants who choose to leave the USA. Homeland security secretary Kristi Noem described it as a safer, more cost-effective alternative to forced removal. In addition to the cash incentive, the government will cover travel costs and provide return assistance via an app called CBP Home. Participants would be ‘deprioritised’ for detention and only receive the payout after their return is verified. The Department of Homeland Security highlighted the fiscal rationale: removing someone through standard procedures costs over $17,000. Trump, who made mass deportation central to his platform, argues this strategy fulfils his promises more economically. Critics, however, question its effectiveness and ethics. During his campaign, he repeatedly said that he planned to carry out ‘the largest deportation operation’ in American history, but so far the numbers have not matched his promises.

Britain and the EU are set to formalise a new strategic partnership to strengthen trade ties and present a united front against Donald Trump's global tariff agenda. A leaked draft declaration, dated 25 April, affirms a mutual commitment to ‘free and open trade’ and to maintaining global economic stability. The agreement will be signed at a UK-EU summit on 19 May, marking a key moment in post-Brexit relations. Meanwhile, the Government is engaged in separate negotiations with the USA, aiming to soften the impact of existing tariffs - currently 10% on UK goods and 20% on EU exports. US press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that talks are ‘moving in a very positive way’. Rachel Reeves met with US treasury secretary Scott Besent last week, emphasising that both UK-EU and UK-US trade relationships are vital. Despite Trump reportedly viewing the 10% UK tariff as a minimum, British officials remain optimistic about securing a mutually beneficial deal.

Vladimir Putin has announced a new three-day unilateral ceasefire, to run from 8 to 10 May, coinciding with Russia’s World War II commemorations. It follows a previous thirty-hour Easter ceasefire, which critics say Moscow repeatedly violated. The Kremlin frames these brief pauses as humanitarian gestures; Ukrainian officials argue that if Russia truly sought peace, it would halt hostilities immediately. Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha called for a thirty-day truce instead. Observers question whether Putin’s moves are sincere peace efforts or merely an attempt to influence Donald Trump, who has recently voiced frustration with both Russia and Ukraine. Trump has criticised Putin for continuing attacks on civilian areas and floated harsher sanctions. When in March he proposed a thirty-day ceasefire, Ukraine agreed, but Russia did not. In another development, the much-anticipated natural resources agreement between the USA and Ukraine has been signed: see

Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has secured re-election in Canada, staging a dramatic comeback. Though the Liberals have not won a clear majority, their lead over the Conservatives is decisive. Carney credited the turnaround to a rise in Canadian nationalism sparked by Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and tariff threats, including calls for Canada to become America’s 51st state. These actions galvanised support for the Liberals after the slump which followed former PM Justin Trudeau’s resignation amid economic discontent. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who had echoed Trump’s anti-‘woke’ rhetoric, even lost his own parliamentary seat. Carney warned that hard decisions lie ahead:  Canada must now prepare to reduce its economic dependence on the USA while navigating a tense bilateral relationship. The election took place hours after eleven people were killed by a vehicle attack at a Vancouver street fair: see

The USA has presented Ukraine with a controversial one-page peace framework, described as Donald Trump’s ‘final offer’, which would grant significant concessions to Russia, including recognition of its occupation of Crimea and of territories which it has captured since the war began. In exchange, Ukraine would receive vague security guarantees, economic aid, and partial territorial returns. The plan also proposes that the USA would operate Ukraine’s Zaporizhzha nuclear plant and distribute its electricity output between the two countries. Sources say Kyiv views the proposal as heavily skewed in Moscow’s favour. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, drafted the deal after a lengthy meeting with Putin, who has shown interest in freezing current battle lines. However, European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s sincerity, and critics argue that the deal sacrifices core Ukrainian interests for political expediency. Volodymyr Zelensky has drawn further harsh criticism from Trump for refusing to countenance the loss of Crimea: see The war continues, with the worst Russian attack on Kyiv in months: see

As tributes flood in for Pope Francis, attention turns to his legacy of engaging controversial issues such as migration, climate change, and global conflict – and therefore clashing with world leaders. Notably, Francis clashed with Donald Trump over immigration, denouncing his border wall and mass deportation policies. Tensions also emerged with Argentina’s Mauricio Macri and Javier Milei; Milei even called Francis ‘evil’, but softened his tone after taking office. The Pope also criticised Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro over Amazon deforestation and championed Indigenous rights. On Gaza, Francis condemned Israel’s military actions, suggesting possible genocide - a statement that drew harsh rebukes from Israeli officials. He also condemned the Ukraine war without naming Vladimir Putin directly, while urging dialogue. His ‘white flag’ comment upset Ukrainian leaders. Yet many world leaders - including Trump, Milei, and Zelensky - plan to attend the funeral, honouring a pontiff who never shied from challenge.