Donald Trump has once again ignited the trade war, this time escalating tensions with Canada and threatening blanket tariffs on numerous countries. In an exclusive interview with NBC News, he announced plans to impose tariffs ranging from 15% to 20% on most trade partners, dismissing concerns about potential negative impacts on the stock market and inflation. He’s already sent letters outlining these tariffs to 22 countries, with Brazil facing the steepest rate at 50%. This follows a previously announced 35% tariff on all Canadian imports, a significant escalation from the existing 25% tariff on non-USMCA goods. The EU is also expected to receive a similar letter outlining new tariffs.
Beyond trade, Trump addressed the ongoing war in Ukraine, reiterating his frustration with Vladimir Putin and hinting at a major statement on Russia to be released on Monday. He also claimed a new deal with NATO to supply more weapons to Ukraine, with NATO covering the full cost. Despite recently signing a major domestic policy bill, Trump plans a limited campaign to sell the package to voters, confident in its already positive reception.
Meanwhile, the US has been grappling with a series of unprecedented weather events. Four separate 1-in-1,000-year rainfall events occurred within a week, resulting in devastating floods. Texas was particularly hard hit, with deadly floods claiming at least 120 lives and leaving over 170 missing. Trump, set to visit Texas today, praised the response efforts while suggesting the implementation of warning systems. This comes amidst criticism of his administration’s past cuts to the National Weather Service and NOAA, and plans to shutter FEMA, which critics argue exacerbated the impact of the storms. Severe flooding also impacted North Carolina, New Mexico, and Chicago.
The Trump administration is also aggressively pursuing restrictions on gender-affirming care. The Justice Department has issued over 20 subpoenas to doctors and clinics involved in providing such care to minors, citing potential healthcare fraud and false statements. This action followed an FTC workshop that heavily criticized gender-affirming care, sparking concerns about overreach and potential breaches of doctor-patient confidentiality.
In other news, Israel believes some of Iran’s highly enriched uranium may have been destroyed in previous US strikes. Mahmoud Khalil, a recently released pro-Palestinian activist, filed a $20 million claim against the Trump administration. A mass overdose event in Baltimore sent at least 25 people to the hospital. Two new K-pop groups are dominating music charts despite never having performed live. And Amanda Anisimova is set to compete in the Wimbledon women’s final, a remarkable achievement given her previous hiatus from the sport.
Finally, an NBC News report on liver damage linked to a common supplement prompted a viewer to seek medical attention, potentially preventing liver failure. This highlights the importance of staying informed and seeking medical help when experiencing unusual symptoms.
