Donald Trump Administration

US importers to boost shipments to record levels on tariff, strike threats

Trump's proposals for tariffs of 10 per cent to 20 per cent on all imports and a 60 per cent or more tariff on goods from China have added to retailers' anxiety

Americans realise Trump's tariffs on Canada will make life costly: Trudeau

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said on Monday said Americans are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive" and said he will retaliate if Donald Trump goes ahead with them. Speaking at an event put on by the Halifax Chamber of Commerce, Trudeau also said dealing with Trump will be a little more challenging than the last time because Trump's team is coming in with a much clearer set of ideas of what they want to do right away than after his first election win in 2016. The US president-elect has threatened to impose a 25 per cent tax on all products entering the US from Canada and Mexico unless they stem the flow of migrants and drugs. Trump got elected on a commitment to make life better and more affordable for Americans, and I think people south of the border are beginning to wake up to the real reality that tariffs on everything from Canada would make life a lot more expensive," Trudeau said. On the

With vows to shake up Washington, Donald Trump is in class of his own

In the history of American politics, there's no shortage of presidents who promised to shake up Washington once they got to the White House. But Donald Trump may prove to be in a class of his own, and he appears more interested in beating the federal government into submission than recalibrating it. In staffing his administration, Trump has shown an inclination to select people who distrust or even disdain the agencies that they've been chosen to lead, setting up a potential war of attrition between the incoming Republican president and American institutions. There's been nothing like what Trump is suggesting to do," said Doug Brinkley, a presidential historian. "We're talking about dismantling the federal government. Trump's approach will become even clearer this week as Kash Patel, his choice for FBI director, heads to Capitol Hill for an initial round of meetings with senators who will decide whether to confirm him to the post. A former national security official who has branded

Trump calls for urgent ceasefire in Ukraine, says US' exiting Nato possible

Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate cease-fire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office. Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal," Trump wrote on social media, referring to Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy. In a television interview that aired Sunday, Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the US national security community. Asked on NBC's Meet the Press if he were actively working to end the nearly 3-year-old Ukraine war, Trump said, I am. He refused to say if he had spoken to Putin since winning the election in November. I don't want to say anything about that, because I don't want to do anything that could impede the negotiation, Trump said. Trump's call for an immediate cease-fi

Big questions confronting Biden, Trump after Assad's collapse in Syria

The sudden collapse of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad is forcing the Biden administration and the incoming Trump team to confront intensifying questions about the possibility of greater conflicts across the Middle East. President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled his country, which his family had ruled for decades, because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, was not interested in protecting him any longer. Those comments on Trump's social media platform came a day after he used another post to decry the possibility of the US intervening militarily in Syria to aid the rebels, declaring, THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT." The Biden administration had no intention of intervening, according to President Joe Biden's national security adviser. Biden was meeting with his national security team at the White House on Sunday. He was expected to make public comments later in the day. The US has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish alli

Donald Trump appoints former PayPal COO David Sacks as 'AI and crypto czar'

Crypto czar and other officials in Trump's incoming administration such as the chairs of the SEC and Commodity Futures Trading Commission are expected to reshape US policy on digital currency

Trump talks of transition, election win as he receives Fox Nation award

Not yet even in office, Donald Trump said Thursday he's already accomplished more than President Joe Biden did in his entire term, an outsized claim by the president-elect just a month out from the election. Trump, who has been largely ensconced at his Mar-a-Lago club in recent weeks as he's worked to staff his new administration, made the comment as he ventured to New York's Long Island to be honoured as part of Fox Nation's annual Patriot Awards on Fox's streaming platform. I think you have seen more happen in the last two weeks than you have in the last four years, Trump told the crowd at the Tilles Center for the Performing Arts. It was a tremendous day, a tremendous night, he said, recalling his election victory in a 10-minute acceptance speech that sounded like a highlight reel of his campaign rally speeches. It came complete with a live performance of God Bless the USA by the singer Lee Greenwood, calls to get the criminals out of our country and an embrace of all-paper ...

World's richest man Elon Musk is now America's biggest political donor

Musk put in at least $274 million into political groups in 2024, fueling a spree that helped Donald Trump win the presidential election

California governor promotes trade with Mexico after Trump's tariff threats

Governor Newsom and California Attorney General Rob Bonta have emerged as prominent Democratic opponents of Trump's agenda, pledging to defend the state's liberal policies

Donald Trump could clash with Federal Reserve in coming years, reasons here

President-elect Donald Trump campaigned on the promise that his policies would reduce high borrowing costs and lighten the financial burden on American households. But what if, as many economists expect, interest rates remain elevated, well above their pre-pandemic lows? Trump could point a finger at the Federal Reserve, and in particular at its chair, Jerome Powell, whom Trump himself nominated to lead the Fed. During his first term, Trump repeatedly and publicly ridiculed the Powell Fed, complaining that it kept interest rates too high. Trump's attacks on the Fed raised widespread concern about political interference in the Fed's policymaking. On Wednesday, Powell emphasized the importance of the Fed's independence: That gives us the ability to make decisions for the benefit of all Americans at all times, not for any particular political party or political outcome. Political clashes might be inevitable in the next four years. Trump's proposals to cut taxes and impose steep and ..

Trump's Middle East envoy pushes for Gaza ceasefire before inauguration

Steve Witkoff's conversations appear aimed at building on nearly 14 months of unsuccessful diplomacy by the Biden administration, Qatar and Egypt aimed at a lasting ceasefire

Trump names Adam Boehler for negotiating release of hostages abroad

President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday named a health care executive to serve as his administration's lead hostage negotiator at a time when the US is trying to secure the release of prisoners in Gaza and other regions around the world. Adam Boehler will serve as the special presidential envoy for hostage affairs. That role has been held since 2020 by Roger Carstens, who was appointed by Trump and remained in the job for the duration of the Biden administration. During that period, the US has brought home several dozen Americans held hostage or wrongfully detained in countries including Russia among them, WNBA star Brittney Griner and Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich Iran, China, Venezuela and Afghanistan. Boehler is the founder and CEO of Rubicon Founders, a healthcare investment firm, and also served as the first CEO of the International Development Finance Corporation. In a statement announcing the appointment, Trump described Boehler as the lead negotiator on

Trump's defence pick Pete Hegseth faces scrutiny amid numerous allegations

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Defense Secretary, spent a second day Tuesday on Capitol Hill, meeting privately with Republican senators amid rising questions about his ability to effectively lead the Pentagon. Hegseth told reporters he was planning to sit down with senators, even with those potentially skeptical of his nomination. We're going to meet with every senator who wants to meet with us, across the board, Hegseth as he went from office to office Tuesday. And we welcome their advice as we go through the advice and counsel process. Trump tapped the Fox News co-host, a former Army National Guard major and combat veteran who deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan, as his Secretary of Defense, typically among the first Cabinet posts to be considered by the US Senate for confirmation. But Hegseth is running into questions amid a sexual assault allegation, which he has denied, and other emerging reports about his work conduct and history. GOP Sen Lindsey Gr

Trump pledges to block purchase of US steel by Japanese steel making firm

President-elect Donald Trump is underscoring his intention to block the purchase of US Steel by Japanese steelmaker Nippon Steel Corp, and he's pledging to use tax incentives and tariffs to strengthen the iconic American steelmaker. Trump had vowed early in the presidential campaign that he would instantaneously block the deal, and he reiterated that sentiment in a post on his Truth Social platform on Monday night. I am totally against the once great and powerful US Steel being bought by a foreign company and will use tax incentives and tariffs to make US Steel Strong and Great Again, and it will happen FAST! he wrote. As President," he continued, "I will block this deal from happening. Buyer Beware!!! President Joe Biden, like Trump, also opposes Nippon Steel's purchase of Pittsburgh-based US Steel. Biden's White House in September said that it had yet to see a report from the secretive Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, which was reviewing the transaction for .

Trump's win forces party to reassess how it reaches voters: DNC's chairman

As he concludes his time as chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Jaime Harrison is downplaying his party's November loss to President-elect Donald Trump and arguing Democrats avoided even greater losses that parties in power have faced around the world. But he acknowledged that Democrats must do a better job of selling the party's priorities and accomplishments for the working class. He also called for continued nationwide investments in party infrastructure and better use of non-legacy media. I can't tell you how disappointed I am that Kamala Harris is not going to be the next president of the United States, Harrison said in an interview Monday. But the political pendulum in this country has been swinging swiftly, back and forth, he added, and we got to buckle up and get ready for it to continue. Harrison made similar arguments in a memo being distributed Tuesday to Democratic Party leaders and donors around the country. Although Democrats did not achieve what we set out

Donald Trump reiterates opposition to Nippon Steel's takeover of US Steel

Japanese PM Shigeru Ishiba wrote to Biden, who has referred the deal to a government panel that reviews foreign investments for national security risks, asking him to approve the transaction

California lawmakers begin special session to protect state laws from Trump

California Governor Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers returned to the state Capitol on Monday to begin a special session to protect the state's progressive policies ahead of another Trump presidency. The Democratic governor, a fierce critic of President-elect Donald Trump, is positioning California to once again be the center of a resistance effort against the conservative agenda. He is asking his Democratic allies in the Legislature, who hold supermajorities in both chambers, to approve additional funding to the attorney general's office to prepare for a robust legal fight against anticipated federal challenges. Democratic Assemblymember Jesse Gabriel on Monday introduced legislation to set aside USD25 million for legal fees to respond to potential attacks by the Trump administration on state policies regarding civil rights, climate change, immigration and abortion access. While we always hope to collaborate with our federal partners, California will be ready to vigorously defend ou

Trump names investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain

President-elect Donald Trump has named billionaire investment banker Warren Stephens as his envoy to Britain, a prestigious posting for the Republican donor whose contributions this year included $2 million to a Trump-backing super PAC. Trump, in a post on his Truth Social site Monday evening, announced he was selecting Stephens to be the U.S. ambassador to the Court of Saint James. The Senate is required to confirm the choice. Warren has always dreamed of serving the United States full time. I am thrilled that he will now have that opportunity as the top Diplomat, representing the U.S.A. to one of America's most cherished and beloved Allies, Trump said in in his post. Stephens is the chairman, president and CEO of Little Rock, Arkansas-based financial services firm Stephens Inc., having taken over the firm from his father. Trump has already named many of his nominees for his Cabinet and high-profile diplomatic posts, assembling a roster of staunch loyalists. Over the weekend, Trum

Unclear if US law permits Trump's 100% tariff threat on Brics: Ex-RBI Guv

President-elect Donald Trump's warning that BRICS countries will face 100 per cent tariffs if they choose to move away from the US dollar is unclear to what extent he will carry out his threat, as it remains to be seen if the US law permits such an action, former RBI Governor Duvvuri Subbarao said on Monday. He also said even for BRICS, there are internal differences about bringing out an alternative to the US Dollar. The nine-member group that includes India, Russia, China, and Brazil, moving out of the US currency and having a common one remains a non-starter because of both politics and economics. "Donald Trump has threatened to slap 100 per cent tariffs on imports from countries that try to move out of the dollar. His ire was particularly directed at the BRICS bloc which has been actively talking about developing an alternative to the dollar. Trump is known to bark more than he bites," Subbarao told PTI. BRICS, formed in 2009, is the only major international group of which the

New measures imminent after Trudeau-Trump meeting: Canada's border minister

LeBlanc was one of a handful of Canadian officials who attended the dinner with Trump and Trudeau, where the two leaders discussed a wide range of issues