Displaying items by tag: Donald Trump

Keir Starmer has cautioned that even if the UK secures a US trade deal or lower tariffs, it will not be enough to safeguard Britain’s economic future. In response to Donald Trump’s imposition of a 10% import tax on British goods, Starmer urged the UK to adapt to a changing global landscape by strengthening cooperation with Europe and diversifying trade partnerships. Trump later announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries, though uncertainty remains. Global markets reacted with volatility, and the Bank of England warned of rising global financial risks. Despite the turmoil, Starmer reaffirmed the government's fiscal discipline. Rachel Reeves is also working to establish trade agreements, including a recent £400 million deal with India, and has planned high-level meetings in Washington and Brussels. The Government aims to boost UK growth by fostering new trade alliances while safeguarding vital interests like the NHS and digital taxation.

Donald Trump is intensifying his efforts to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions. After withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), he reimposed sanctions, citing Iran's support for militias like Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has subsequently ignored some of the deal's restrictions and enriched more and more uranium nuclear fuel: analysts fear it could soon be capable of making a nuclear warhead. Trump has reinstated his ‘maximum pressure’ strategy, imposing additional sanctions, but he has now agreed to direct discussions between US and Iranian officials in Oman. However, the USA is demanding full dismantlement of Iran's nuclear programme, a request Tehran will find difficult to accept. Iran’s hardliners view nuclear deterrence as essential, and past negotiations show how challenging these discussions can be. Israel insists on the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capacity, while military action remains a possibility if talks fail.

China has announced an 84% tariff on all US imports, up from 34%, in retaliation to Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on Chinese imports (now 104%). This move escalates tensions in the ongoing trade war and sent global stock markets into further decline. Global oil prices also fell, adding to fears of a recession. However, US markets later showed some recovery after treasury secretary Scott Bessent hinted at potential trade agreements with allies. Trump is encouraging businesses to move to the USA, claiming zero tariffs and favourable conditions for companies. While China has expressed reluctance to engage in a full-scale trade war, it said it needed to protect its economy. Despite concerns over higher inflation, Trump remains optimistic about revitalising US manufacturing. He has now announced a pause in imposing the harsher tariffs, which has encouraged the stock markets. For a view about what this pause will mean, see

Donald Trump’s announcement of a universal 10% tariff on all imports into the USA, beginning on 5 April, has sparked global alarm. An additional wave of steepened tariffs on approximately sixty nations, including China and EU countries, begins on 9 April. Trump claims the move will revive American manufacturing, calling it overdue payback for unfair trade practices. However, international leaders warn the tariffs will spark economic turmoil and a potential global trade war. Ursula von der Leyen called it a ‘major blow’, while China, facing a 54% total tariff on some goods, promised ‘resolute countermeasures’. Allies like the UK and Australia have urged restraint, while others, such as Brazil and Canada, plan reciprocal actions. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea also condemned the move. Trump’s tariffs have rattled long-standing allies, confused diplomatic partners, and raised fears of escalating economic isolation. Critics argue that US consumers may bear the burden, with higher prices and increased global instability looming. For an opinion about what a huge gamble Trump is taking, see

A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to revoke Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 600,000 Venezuelans living in the USA. The administration planned to end protections for 350,000 Venezuelans by 7 April and expedite expiration for another 250,000, potentially deporting them to a nation in crisis. However, district judge Edward Chen ruled that the Biden-era extensions must remain in place, citing racism and legal flaws in the decision made by homeland security secretary Kristi Noem. Chen condemned the use of negative stereotypes and found no evidence linking TPS holders to the criminal threats cited by the administration. He said that data showed Venezuelans under TPS as generally law-abiding, employed, and contributing positively to US society. Chen also criticised the administration’s rationale as lacking evidence and potentially legitimising Venezuela’s authoritarian regime through backchannel negotiations.

The UN AIDS agency has warned of a potential global health crisis, with projections of 2,000 new HIV infections daily and up to 6.3 million AIDS-related deaths over the next four years, if US foreign aid remains frozen. The halt, ordered by Donald Trump under his ‘America First’ policy, has disrupted critical healthcare services. Although the State Department has said that life-saving programmes will continue, UNAIDS reports that many clinics have already closed and thousands of health workers have been laid off. There are fears that this sudden collapse in funding will reverse decades of progress in combating HIV/AIDS, especially in vulnerable regions. In 2023 alone, there were 600,000 AIDS-related deaths globally. UNAIDS, which relies on the US for 35% of its core funding, says unless aid resumes or is replaced by another source, the world could face a devastating resurgence of the epidemic, echoing the crises seen in the 1990s and early 2000s. Trump’s team members say they have saved US taxpayers tens of billions of dollars by cancelling contracts, firing workers and rooting out fraud and waste, but they have offered little evidence to support that assertion.

Donald Trump’s administration is facing huge criticism after a newspaper editor was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat discussing sensitive military plans, including potential US strikes against Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Despite official claims that no classified material was shared, Democrats and some Republicans expressed deep concern. Defence secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly disclosed target locations, weapon specifics, and timing - details typically considered classified. National security adviser Michael Waltz took full responsibility, calling the incident ‘embarrassing’; Trump defended his team and suggested they would stop using Signal. The Senate intelligence committee plans to audit the chat, and lawmakers from both parties demanded further investigation and potential resignations. Signal’s auto-deletion feature may have violated federal record-keeping laws, intensifying scrutiny. Senators criticised CIA director John Ratcliffe for dodging questions, and legal experts warned that such platforms are not appropriate for sensitive communications.

Mark Carney has called a snap federal election for 28 April, aiming to secure a strong mandate amid rising tensions with Donald Trump. A political newcomer and former banker, Carney was sworn in just weeks ago after succeeding Justin Trudeau, who stepped down following internal party strife. The election sets the stage for a fierce contest with Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, a populist who once led comfortably in the polls. The central issue is who can best defend Canada against Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and trade threats, including proposed tariffs and talk of annexation. Carney accused Trump of seeking to undermine Canadian sovereignty and vowed to build a more secure, self-reliant nation. Poilievre, meanwhile, blamed Liberal policies for Canada’s current vulnerability and called for a nationalist shift in governance. The 37-day campaign is poised to reshape the nation’s future at a critical crossroads. Trump’s actions have infuriated Canadians - and upended their politics.

Vladimir Putin has agreed to a thirty-day pause in strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following a phone call with Donald Trump. The two leaders spoke for 90 minutes as the Trump administration works toward ending the conflict that began with Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. However, Putin refused the broader ceasefire which the USA has proposed. Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the energy-targeting pause but insisted that Ukraine should be involved in future negotiations. Putin also demanded a halt to Western military aid and intelligence-sharing with Ukraine before agreeing to any long-term deal. Zelensky rejected this, calling it an attempt to weaken Ukraine. The White House announced that peace negotiations would begin in the Middle East, with talks including a potential Black Sea ceasefire; Putin has agreed to further discussions on these terms. One immediate result of the phone call has been a major exchange of prisoners: see

After an unexpected nine-month extension aboard the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore safely returned to Earth on Tuesday. They splashed down off Florida’s coast in a SpaceX Dragon capsule alongside Crew-9 members Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. Their re-entry, a critical phase of space travel, was successfully completed, and recovery crews swiftly assisted them upon landing. Their return was delayed due to issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which forced them to remain on the ISS beyond their planned stay. The astronauts rejected claims that they were ‘stranded’ or ‘abandoned’; they knew things could go wrong on a test mission. Donald Trump has blamed the Biden administration for mishandling the situation, but both astronauts assured they were never in danger. Their safe return marks another milestone in space exploration and international collaboration aboard the ISS.