
Trump orders tariffs on dozens of countries
However, in a minor reprieve, the White House said the measures will take effect next Friday, a week later than expected.
The tariffs are a demonstration of raw economic power that Mr Trump says will put US exporters in a stronger position while encouraging domestic manufacturing by keeping out imports.
But the muscular approach has raised fears of inflation and other economic fallout in the world's biggest economy.
And with questions hanging over the effectiveness of bilateral trade deals already struck - including by the European Union and Japan - the outcome of Mr Trump's plan remained uncertain.
His new measures in an executive order raised duties on dozens of economies up to a 41% rate.
Most of these new tariff hikes were first announced in April when Mr Trump put a minimum 10% levy on goods from almost every country in the world, citing unfair trade practices and US deficits.
However, Washington then postponed implementation, amid frantic series of negotiations, alongside announcements of new duties and deals with some partners.
The President yesterday announced he was delaying a tariff hike on products from the major US trading partner Mexico. The postponement by 90 days came after talks with his counterpart Claudia Sheinbaum.
The 79-year-old Republican has made tariffs core to his protectionist brand of hard-right politics.
Mr Sheinbaum claimed that the US economy had "no chance of survival or success" without tariffs.
But the latest salvo came amid legal challenges against Mr Trump's use of emergency economic powers.
The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit heard arguments in cases brought against Mr Trump's blanket tariffs targeting different countries.
And questions linger over the effectiveness of his grand plans, or even whether he will hold firm on his most drastic threats.
While Mr Trump has touted a surge in customs revenues since the start of the year, economists warn the duties could fuel inflation.
Proponents of his policy argue that their impact will be one-off, but analysts are awaiting further economic data to gauge for more persistent effects.
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Irish Times
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Palestine state recognition Palestine currently holds non-member observer status at the United Nations. In 2024, a US veto at the Security Council blocked an attempt to grant full UN membership, despite 12 countries voting in favour. Proponents of recognition argue that statehood is essential for advancing a credible two-state solution. As one senior Egyptian official told the New York Times, 'The Israelis used to claim they had no partner for peace. The problem now is that there is no partner for peace in Israel.' What does recognition mean? Palestine exists, and does not. It has embassies, Olympic teams, and wide international support, but lacks the basic features of a fully functioning state: borders, sovereignty and control of its territory. The Palestinian Authority has limited authority in parts of the West Bank under Israeli occupation. In Gaza, also considered occupied, Israel is waging devastating attacks. 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