ACTUAL NEWS: Wednesday, April 2nd 2025 Recap
- Olga Nesterova
- Apr 2
- 11 min read
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QUICK HITS
President Donald Trump on Wednesday unveiled global reciprocal tariffs during an event at the White House.
Following are highlights of Trump's remarks:
"In many cases, the friend is worse than the foe in terms of trade," Trump said.
"We subsidize a lot of countries and keep them going and keep them in business," Trump said about trade partners, specifically Mexico and Canada. "Why are we doing this? I mean, at what point do we say you got to work for yourselves."
"We are finally putting American first," Trump said.
"Trade deficits are no longer merely an economic problem. They are a national emergency," Trump said.
PLUS:
The Trump administration on Wednesday said it was slapping a 25% tariff on all beer imports, adding the beverage and empty aluminum cans to a list of derivative products subject to its tariffs on aluminum.
Mexico and Canada avoided fresh tariffs on Wednesday with President Donald Trump exempting the United States' top trading partners from his new 10% global tariff baseline, although previous duties remain in place.
The Trump administration has also revoked tariff exemptions for low-value shipments from China, known as "de minimis," which will mainly affect low-cost products on platforms like Temu, Amazon, TikTok Shop, and others.
President Donald Trump's planned tariffs will be negative across the world, with the damage depending on how far they go, how long they last, and whether they lead to successful negotiations, European Central Bank head Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday.
But here’s a moment of laughter: Trump is imposing a 10% tariff on the Heard and McDonald Islands.
The Heard and McDonald Islands are uninhabited.
Not so funny:
Out of the 180 countries, including U.S. allies, now facing retaliatory tariffs, Russia is notably absent from the list, despite imposing a 20-25% tariff on U.S. goods. According to the White House, this exclusion is due to "sanctions against Russia" that were implemented by the previous administration. Other countries facing U.S. sanctions, such as Belarus, Cuba, and North Korea, were also not subject to reciprocal tariffs.
However, Iran and Syria, both under heavy embargoes and sanctions, faced additional tariffs on Wednesday of 10% and 40%, respectively.
The U.S. has also imposed a 10% tariff on Ukraine.
Please keep in mind that the rates mentioned in the text may not accurately represent the full scope of tariffs imposed or the specific products affected. Tariffs vary widely depending on the country, product category, and specific trade agreements in place. The figures mentioned are more likely a simplified representation for illustrative purposes rather than an exact reflection of tariff rates across the board.
Global Responses to Trump's Tariffs
World leaders began responding after U.S. President Donald Trump unveiled global reciprocal tariffs:
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese: "It is the American people who will pay the biggest price for these unjustified tariffs. This is why our government will not be seeking to impose reciprocal tariffs. We will not join a race to the bottom that leads to higher prices and slower growth."
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: "Spain will protect its companies and workers and will continue to be committed to an open world."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson: "We don't want growing trade barriers. We don't want a trade war ... We want to find our way back to a path of trade and cooperation together with the US, so that people in our countries can enjoy a better life."
Irish Trade Minister Simon Harris: "The EU and Ireland stand ready to find a negotiated solution with the US. Negotiation and dialogue is always the best way forward."
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: "We will do everything we can to work towards an agreement with the United States, with the goal of avoiding a trade war that would inevitably weaken the West in favor of other global players."
Manfred Weber, President of the EPP, the largest party in the European Parliament: "To our American friends, today isn't liberation day - it's resentment day. Donald Trump's tariffs don't defend fair trade; they attack it out of fear and hurt both sides of the Atlantic. Europe stands united, ready to defend its interests, and open to fair, firm talks."
The Senate voted 51–48 to pass a resolution blocking Trump’s Canadian tariffs from taking effect. Four Republicans — Sens. Susan Collins, Mitch McConnell, Rand Paul, and Lisa Murkowski — joined all 47 Democrats in supporting the measure.
In a statement of administrative policy ahead of the vote, Trump's White House said his advisors would urge the president to veto the resolution if it passed the Senate.
Putin in conversation with representatives from Beijing in Moscow: “We are awaiting our great friend Xi in Moscow to celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the “Russian great victory over Nazi Germany and militarized Japan” in WWII”.
Completely disregarding everyone else who fought in this war.. also, what did Russia actually do in regards to Japan?
In response, Wang Yi said to Putin: “The warmest greetings from President Xi Jinping. Under your leadership, bilateral relations are developing, cooperation is progressing smoothly, and our relations are deepening.”
President Donald Trump's approval rating has dropped to 43%, the lowest since his return to office, amid growing dissatisfaction over his tariff policies and the administration's handling of information regarding a military strike in Yemen, according to a Reuters/Ipsos poll.
As the April 5 deadline approaches for TikTok to divest its U.S. operations or face a ban, new bidders have emerged. Amazon has made a last-minute bid, though it’s reportedly not seen as a serious contender. OnlyFans founder Tim Stokely, in partnership with the HBAR Foundation, has also submitted a bid through his new venture, Zoop. Other interested parties include a consortium led by Oracle, with potential involvement from Andreessen Horowitz and Blackstone.
The White House is overseeing negotiations to reduce Chinese ownership of TikTok’s U.S. operations below 20%. The deadline follows a 2024 law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok due to national security concerns. Despite multiple bids, TikTok's future in the U.S. remains uncertain.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1513: Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León landed on the coast of Florida.
1621: King Charles II of England officially proclaimed the charter he had granted in March to William Penn for the Quaker colony of Pennsylvania in North America.
1865: In the face of advancing Union forces, Confederate troops evacuated Richmond, Virginia, the capital of the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War.
1917: U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for a declaration of war against Germany.
1982: Argentine troops seized the Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), precipitating the Falkland Islands War with Britain.
1992: American organized-crime boss John Gotti was convicted on 13 criminal counts—including the murder of Paul Castellano and others, racketeering, and obstruction of justice—and was sentenced to life in prison.
2005: Bishop of Rome and head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1978, Pope John Paul II, who was the first non-Italian pope in 455 years and the first from a Slavic country, died in Vatican City this day in 2005.
QUICK ACTUAL NEWS
NATIONAL
The Trump administration has begun reclassifying workers at certain agencies into a new job category with fewer protections, according to two sources and an email reviewed by Reuters.
President Donald Trump has appointed Stanley Woodward, a lawyer who represented several of his top aides in criminal probes, to a senior Justice Department position. Woodward, who has served as a White House lawyer, will now be the associate attorney general, the third-highest-ranking post overseeing civil rights, antitrust, environmental enforcement, and the Civil Division, which defends Trump’s policy agenda against legal challenges.
The White House dismissed media reports suggesting Elon Musk would soon leave his government role, stating that he will continue his mission to slash government spending and downsize the federal workforce.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from cutting funding for legal services that assist unaccompanied children in immigration proceedings. U.S. District Judge Araceli Martinez-Olguin issued a restraining order preventing the cuts, which advocates say would have left 26,000 children without attorneys.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has missed its deadline for a decision on traditional approval of Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine, the company told Reuters. The delay follows the resignation of Peter Marks, the FDA's top vaccine scientist, who played a key role in developing COVID-19 vaccines during Trump’s first term. Media reports suggest Marks was forced out.
Milbank has become the fourth major U.S. law firm to reach an agreement with President Donald Trump after he targeted several firms with punitive executive orders.
Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, and his team reportedly set up at least 20 group chats on the Signal app to coordinate official work on issues related to China, Gaza, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, according to Politico.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission announced plans to restructure its enforcement and exams divisions, requiring them to report under new deputy directors—part of a series of leadership changes under Republican control.
A California man who was armed with a handgun near Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh’s Maryland home in 2022 plans to plead guilty to attempted assassination, his lawyers said in a letter to a federal judge.
Boeing is in discussions with the U.S. Department of Justice over a revised plea deal in a criminal fraud case stemming from alleged misrepresentations about a key system on the 737 MAX, CEO Kelly Ortberg said.
A group of scientific researchers has sued to reinstate National Institutes of Health grants that were canceled by the Trump administration, calling it an “ideological purge.” The grants had funded research on topics such as LGBTQ health, COVID-19, and vaccine hesitancy.
The Trump administration confirmed that its 25% global tariffs on cars and trucks will take effect as scheduled on Thursday, with additional duties on automotive parts set to begin May 3.
Kevin Young, director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, has taken personal leave, according to an internal email obtained by The Washington Post.
The Republican-controlled Senate Budget Committee has released its blueprint for enacting Trump’s tax cut agenda, with lawmakers aiming for a vote later this week.
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg is reportedly lobbying President Trump to agree to a settlement that would prevent an upcoming antitrust trial against the company, The Wall Street Journal reported.
Democratic senators have urged Energy Secretary Chris Wright to uphold funding commitments for clean energy projects approved before Trump’s presidency, including four hydrogen hubs.
The U.S. Air Force has introduced a new wing, the 95th Wing, designed to streamline command and control over the military's nuclear enterprise by integrating units from the Active-Duty Air Force, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve.
Members of Trump’s National Security Council, including national security adviser Mike Waltz, have reportedly conducted government business through personal Gmail accounts, according to The Washington Post.
The Senate Commerce Committee may subpoena the U.S. Army to obtain a report explaining its failure to use the ADS-B safety system on helicopter flights near Reagan National Airport, its chair stated.
The Supreme Court has largely upheld the FDA’s decision to reject two e-cigarette companies' flavored vape products, citing health risks to youth.
Tracy Beth Hoeg, a sports medicine physician and epidemiologist known for opposing key U.S. health policies during COVID-19, has been named a special assistant to new FDA chief Martin Makary, sources told Reuters.
The Federal Trade Commission has paused its lawsuit against UnitedHealth, Cigna, and CVS Health’s pharmacy-benefit manager units over insulin prices after the Trump administration dismissed two of the agency’s commissioners.
The Supreme Court ruled against Medical Marijuana Inc. in a lawsuit brought by a commercial truck driver who was fired after failing a drug test for CBD, which he claimed was falsely marketed as THC-free.
An adviser to the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) is pushing back against Trump’s plan to redirect the agency’s focus toward boosting domestic mineral production.
A federal judge has dismissed corruption charges against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. Manhattan Federal Judge Dale Ho ruled the case “without prejudice,” meaning the charges cannot be refiled.
GLOBAL
The U.S. is ending financial support for family-planning programs in developing countries, cutting off contraception access for nearly 50 million women.
Israel’s defense minister announced plans to expand military operations in Gaza and seize large areas of territory.
The U.N. has accused Israel of killing 15 rescue workers who were aiding injured civilians last month. Israel, however, claims that nine of the 15 were Palestinian militants.
The family of a Palestinian man alleges that Hamas militants tortured and killed him after he participated in anti-Hamas protests, CNN reports.
Benjamin Netanyahu has withdrawn his nominee for Israel’s domestic intelligence agency, partly due to the nominee’s past criticism of Donald Trump.
China recently conducted military maneuvers off its southern coast using newly developed special barges. These vessels form a bridge that could facilitate the landing of troops and weapons on Taiwan.
China has carried out military exercises around Taiwan for a second consecutive day.
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen arrived in Greenland for a three-day visit, where she was welcomed at the airport by Greenland’s Prime Minister. She stated, “The U.S. won’t take over Greenland.”
U.S. authorities have arrested an alleged MS-13 gang leader who had been a fugitive for nearly four years, facing charges related to a conspiracy linked to 11 murders, the Justice Department announced Wednesday.
Britain will not rush to counter any import tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump later on Wednesday, as it seeks to avoid jeopardizing a potential trade deal with Washington, Finance Minister Rachel Reeves stated.
Worsening Wage Delays in Russia Amid Growing Economic Struggles
Russian employers are increasingly failing to pay employees on time, with owed wages rising from 500 million rubles ($5.9 million) in January to 1.2 billion rubles ($14.1 million) by February.
Construction sites have been hit hardest, with salary delays increasing by 13 times, while delays have also risen in non-military electronics factories and public utility companies. The rise in unpaid wages is attributed to the growing cost of bank loans, causing companies to redirect funds meant for salaries.
Despite this, a record 61.3% of Russians report being "quite happy" with their earnings.
The Russian economy is becoming more militarized, with those working in the military industrial complex earning relatively better wages, while the broader population continues to face financial struggles.
CARTOON OF THE DAY
POSTS OF THE DAY
President Zelenskyy visited wounded Ukrainian soldiers recovering in Dnipro
NEWS CLIPS - NO COMMENTARY
Fmr VP Harris joined the @WisDems team to thank them for their hard work in this election
Crawford: Today Wisconsinites fended off an unprecedented attack on our democracy
Russia demands Ukraine to “stop the war” that Russia started against Ukraine (make it make sense)
Republican Congressman quotes Joseph Goebbels in hearing
Xi emphasized the need for India and China to strengthen their ties
RECOMMENDED READS
ICYMI
The Trump administration has suspended dozens of federal grants to Princeton, making it the fourth Ivy League school to face such action.
Pope Francis’ health has improved over the past week since his release from the hospital, the Vatican announced.
A recent survey found that 11% of Americans cannot afford medication or medical treatments—the highest level recorded in the four years the question has been asked.
TODAY'S COVER PHOTO
Washington DC, US
Senator Cory Booker speaks to the media off the Senate floor after completing a record-breaking 25-hour, five-minute speech in opposition to the US president, Donald Trump
Photograph: Aaron Schwartz/EPA
That's all from me for now. Thank you for reading.
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