Donald Trump expected to ‘turn his mind' to Ukraine war shortly
This comes as the US President is considering additional sanctions on Moscow after becoming increasingly frustrated over the rising death toll in the Ukraine war.
He believes Russia's leader has shown a lack of willingness to engage in ceasefire talks.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
an hour ago
- News.com.au
‘Unfair': Nations fire back after Donald Trump announces new tariffs
US President Donald Trump has targeted Mexico and the European Union with steep 30 per cent tariffs, dramatically raising the stakes in already tense negotiations with two of the largest US trading partners. Both sets of duties would take effect August 1, Mr Trump said in formal letters posted to his Truth Social platform. The president cited Mexico's role in illicit drugs flowing into the United States and a trade imbalance with the EU as meriting the tariff threat. Both partners swiftly slammed the new duties, with the EU warning they could disrupt supply chains — but insisting it would continue talks seeking an agreement with the US — while Mexico branded them an 'unfair deal'. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed 'very strong disapproval' of the step and called on the bloc to 'resolutely defend European interests'. Since returning to the presidency in January, Mr Trump has unleashed sweeping stop-start tariffs on allies and competitors alike, roiling financial markets and raising fears of a global economic downturn. But his administration is coming under pressure to secure deals with trading partners after promising a flurry of agreements. So far, US officials have only unveiled two pacts, with Britain and Vietnam, alongside temporarily lower tit-for-tat duties with China. The fresh duties for Mexico announced by Mr Trump would be higher than the 25 per cent levy he imposed on Mexican goods earlier this year, although products entering the United States under the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) are exempted. 'Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough,' Mr Trump said in his letter to Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum. 'Starting August 1, 2025, we will charge Mexico a Tariff of 30% on Mexican products sent into the United States.' Mexico was informed of the new duties during talks in the United States on Friday. 'We mentioned at the table that it was an unfair deal and that we did not agree,' the Mexican economy and foreign ministries said in a joint statement. Mexico is already in negotiations seeking an alternative to tariffs that would protect businesses and jobs on both sides of the border, the ministries added, saying they hope to avoid the duties. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, whom Mr Trump often refers to favourably, expressed confidence Saturday that a deal would be reached. 'We are going to reach an agreement with the US government,' Ms Sheinbaum said during a public event hours after Mr Trump's social media post announcing the elevated tariffs. She said the talks in Washington would allow Mexico to be in a 'better position' by August 1. Mexico is one of the countries most vulnerable to the US leader's tariffs, with 80 per cent of its exports destined for its northern neighbour, which is also its largest trading partner. Since returning to the White House in January, Mr Trump has reproached Mexico for not doing what he says is enough to prevent illegal migration and drug trafficking across the border, and has wielded tariffs as retaliation. The EU tariff is also markedly steeper than the 20 per cent levy Mr Trump unveiled in April, as negotiations with the bloc continue. 'Imposing 30 per cent tariffs on EU exports would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic,' European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement, in reply to Mr Trump's letter to her. 'We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required,' she added. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's office has issued a response to Mr Trump's tariffs, saying: 'We trust in the goodwill of all players in the field in order to reach a fair agreement that can strengthen the West as a whole, given that — particularly in the current scenario — it would make no sense to trigger a trade clash between the two sides of the Atlantic'. 'It is now crucial to remain focused on the negotiations, avoiding polarisations that would make reaching an agreement more complex,' Ms Meloni's office said. The Netherlands' caretaker Prime Minister Dick Schoof said the 30 per cent tariffs were 'concerning and not the way forward'. 'The European Commission can count on our full support. As the EU we must remain united and resolute in pursuing an outcome with the United States that is mutually beneficial,' he added. Meanwhile Mr Macron backed efforts to reach an agreement that 'reflects the respect that trade partners such as the European Union and the United States owe each other.' But he urged the bloc to 'step up the preparation of credible countermeasures' to implement if the two sides fail to reach an agreement in time. The EU, alongside dozens of other economies, had been set to see its US tariff level increase from a baseline of 10 per cent on Wednesday, but Mr Trump pushed back the deadline to August 1. Mexico and Canada come under a separate tariff regime. Since the start of the week, Mr Trump has sent out letters to more than 20 countries with updated tariffs for each, including a 35 per cent levy for Canada. A US official told AFP on Saturday that the USMCA exemption was expected to remain for both Mexico and Canada, although the president has yet to make final decisions. Brussels said on Friday it was ready to strike a deal with Washington to prevent the return of 20 per cent levies. The EU has prepared retaliatory duties on US goods worth around 21 billion euros after Trump also slapped separate tariffs on steel and aluminium imports earlier this year, and they are suspended until July 14. European officials have not made any move to extend the suspension but could do it quickly if needed. 'Despite all the movement toward a deal, this threat shows the EU is in the same camp of uncertainty as almost every other country in the world,' said Josh Lipsky, chair of international economics at the Atlantic Council. He told AFP that the path forward now depends on how the EU responds, calling it 'one of the most precarious moments of the trade war so far.'
News.com.au
2 hours ago
- News.com.au
Trump calls for MAGA base to end 'Epstein Files' obsession
President Donald Trump urged his political base on Saturday to stop attacking his administration over files related to notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, a case that has become an obsession for conspiracy theorists. Trump's Department of Justice and the FBI said in a memo made public last week there was no evidence that the disgraced financier kept a "client list" or was blackmailing powerful figures. They also dismissed the claim that Epstein was murdered in jail, confirming his death by suicide at a New York prison in 2019, and said they would not be releasing any more information on the probe. The move was met with incredulity by some on the US far-right -- many of whom have backed Trump for years -- and strident criticism of Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel. "What's going on with my 'boys' and, in some cases, 'gals?' They're all going after Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is doing a FANTASTIC JOB!" Trump said Saturday in a lengthy post on his Truth Social platform. "We're on one Team, MAGA, and I don't like what's happening. We have a PERFECT Administration, THE TALK OF THE WORLD, and 'selfish people' are trying to hurt it, all over a guy who never dies, Jeffrey Epstein," he added, referring to his "Make America Great Again" movement. Many among the MAGA faithful have long contended that so-called "Deep State" actors were hiding information on Epstein's elite associates. "Next the DOJ will say 'Actually, Jeffrey Epstein never even existed,'" furious pro-Trump conspiracy theorist Alex Jones tweeted after last week's move. "This is over the top sickening." Far-right influencer Laura Loomer called for Trump to fire Bondi over the issue, labeling her "an embarrassment." But on Saturday, Trump came to the defense of his attorney general, suggesting that the so-called "Epstein Files" were a hoax perpetrated by the Democratic Party for political gain, without specifying what benefits they hoped to attain. On Saturday, Trump struck an exasperated tone in his admonishment of his supporters. "For years, it's Epstein, over and over again," he said. "Let' waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about." The US president called for Patel and Bondi to instead focus on what he terms "The Rigged and Stolen Election of 2020," which Trump lost to Joe Biden. The Republican has repeatedly perpetuated unfounded conspiracy theories about his loss being due to fraud. He called for the FBI to be allowed to focus on that investigation "instead of spending month after month looking at nothing but the same old, Radical Left inspired Documents on Jeffrey Epstein. LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!" Trump, who appears in at least one decades-old video alongside Epstein at a party, has denied allegations that he was named in the files or had any direct connection to the financier. "The conspiracy theories just aren't true, never have been," said FBI Director Patel on Saturday, hours before Trump's social media post. Not everyone, however, seemed to be on the same page. US media reported that Dan Bongino -- an influential right-wing podcast host whom Trump appointed FBI deputy director -- had threatened to resign over the administration's handling of the issue.
Sky News AU
3 hours ago
- Sky News AU
US President Donald Trump escalates trade war with massive 30 per cent tariff on European Union and Mexico
Three of America's largest trading partners will be hit with tariffs of more than 30 per cent after President Donald Trump announced the rates that will apply to the European Union and Mexico. President Trump posted copies of letters sent to the EU and Mexico on his Truth Social account on Sunday, revealing both would be hit with across 30 per cent tariffs. This came just one day after the US President announced Canada would be hit with a 35 per cent tariff. The new import duties, which come after weeks of trade negotiations, are set to take effect on August 1, although the letter stated the rates "could be changed, upwards or downwards". The new tariff rates risk sparking a major trade war, with some EU politicians already calling for the imposition of "countermeasures". European Commission Ursula von der Leyen said the 30 per cent tariffs "would disrupt essential transatlantic supply chains, to the detriment of businesses, consumers and patients on both sides of the Atlantic." While stressing the EU still wanted to sign a trade agreement with the US, von der Leyen said the bloc of 27 countries was prepared to "safeguard EU interests". "The EU has consistently prioritised a negotiated solution with the U.S., reflecting our commitment to dialogue, stability, and a constructive transatlantic partnership," she said. "We remain ready to continue working towards an agreement by August 1. At the same time, we will take all necessary steps to safeguard EU interests, including the adoption of proportionate countermeasures if required." Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she remained hopeful an agreement could be reached while stressing Mexico would not compromise its sovereignty. "I've always said that in these cases, what you have to do is keep a cool head to face any problem," Sheinbaum said "We're also clear on what we can work with the United States government on, and we're clear on what we can't. And there's something that's never negotiable: the sovereignty of our country." President Trump's trade letters warned against retaliation to the US announcement. "If for any reason you decide to increase your rates and react, the amount, whatever increase you choose, will be added to the 30% we charge," the letters state. When viewed as a trade bloc, EU countries rank as America's largest trading partner, while Canada and Mexico are top of the list of countries the US trades with most. The spate of letters sent out by the US President shows Trump has returned to the aggressive trade posture that he took in April when he announced a slew of reciprocal tariffs against trading partners that sent markets tumbling before the White House delayed implementation. The US President promised to use the 90-day delay in April to strike dozens of new trade deals, but has only secured framework agreements with Britain, China and Vietnam. And with the stock market recently hitting record highs and the U.S. economy still resilient, Trump is showing no signs of slowing down his trade war. Mexico's proposed tariff level is lower than Canada's 35%, with both letters citing fentanyl flows even though government data shows the amount of the drug seized at the Mexican border is significantly higher than the Canadian border. "Mexico has been helping me secure the border, BUT, what Mexico has done, is not enough. Mexico still has not stopped the Cartels who are trying to turn all of North America into a Narco-Trafficking Playground," Trump wrote. China is the main source of the chemicals used to make the opioid fentanyl. According to U.S. authorities, only 0.2% of all fentanyl seized in the U.S. comes from across the Canadian border, while the vast majority originates from the U.S.-Mexico border. The EU had initially hoped to strike a comprehensive trade agreement but more recently had scaled back its ambitions and shifted toward securing a broader framework deal similar to the one Britain brokered that leaves details to be negotiated. The bloc is under conflicting pressures as powerhouse Germany urged a quick deal to safeguard its industry, while other EU members, such as France, have said EU negotiators should not cave into a one-sided deal on U.S. terms. Bernd Lange, the head of the European Parliament's trade committee, said Brussels should enact countermeasures as soon as Monday. "This is a slap in the face for the negotiations. This is no way to deal with a key trading partner," Lange told Reuters. Trump's cascade of tariff orders since returning to the White House has begun generating tens of billions of dollars a month in new revenue for the U.S. government. U.S. customs duties revenue topped $100 billion in the federal fiscal year through to June, according to U.S. Treasury data on Friday. The tariffs have also strained diplomatic relationships with some of the closest U.S. partners. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said last week that Japan needed to lessen its dependence on the U.S. The fight over tariffs has also prompted Canada and some European allies to reexamine their security dependence on Washington, with some looking to purchase non-U.S. weapons systems. -With Reuters
