Latest news with #Trump-proofing
CBS News
30-04-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
California AG Rob Bonta discusses battle with Trump administration during first 100 days
SACRAMENTO — On the 100th day of President Trump's second term in office, California Attorney General Rob Bonta filed his 16th lawsuit against the president's administration. On Tuesday, California and nearly two dozen other states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration over drastic cuts to the AmeriCorps volunteer service agency. Bonta's office has been busy filing lots of lawsuits against the Trump administration in response to a barrage of the president's executive orders. "His actions have been very quick and high volume, so the speed and the volume is more than under Trump 1.0," Bonta said. California sued Trump more than 120 times in his first term in office. Bonta says right now the state is on track to sue him double that amount, if the current rate persists. "I didn't necessarily expect that," Bonta said of the volume of lawsuits filed so far during Mr. Trump's second term. "I'm not surprised or shocked by it either." California's lawsuits in these first 100 days span from challenging Mr. Trump's executive order banning birthright citizenship to Elon Musk's role in government to tariffs. "How do you prioritize what issues to tackle first?" I said Bonta. "Honestly, the Trump administration determines if and when we sue," Bonta said. "If the Trump administration violates the law, we sue. If he doesn't, we don't." Republican Assembly Leader James Gallagher opposes California's legal challenges to the Trump administration. He said he believes Mr. Trump and his administration have done "a great job" so far. "He's moving with action on immigration. He's moving with action on our forests. He's bringing back logging," Gallagher said. California Democrats approved so-called Trump-proofing measures ahead of the president's inauguration to set aside $25 million for legal funds in anticipation of lawsuits. "But so far, you know, just roughly very little of that money has actually been spent yet, just because the process takes time to hire people," said Bonta, who added that his office has many job openings. Bonta said that most of the early rulings during the Trump administration's first 100 days have been favorable for California, with judges granting temporary restraining orders in initial proceedings. One early ruling that favored Mr. Trump saw a judge denying to grant the state a temporary restraining order challenging Elon Musk's power within the administration.
CBC
21-03-2025
- Automotive
- CBC
'A necessary evil': EV association doesn't like, but understands, Manitoba excluding Tesla from rebate program
Social Sharing The head of the Manitoba Electric Vehicle Association won't go as far as supporting the provice's decision to remove Teslas and China-made electric vehicles from the EV rebate program, but he understands it. "I think it's almost a necessary evil. I don't necessarily like it, but it's meant to send a message down south — and I think it will do that," said James Hart. "It sounds like it is basically just falling in line with what B.C. is doing also, which is cancelling any rebates on Tesla or Tesla products." Under Manitoba's rebate program, rolled out last year, any resident who buys an electric or plug-in hybrid EV in the province with a manufacturer's suggested list price below $70,000 can apply for a refund of up to $4,000. The rebate rises to $2,500 for a used EV, while those leasing one could be eligible for $1,000–$4,000 return. All rebates are subject to the vehicle being on the list of eligible EVs. The program officially began in July 2024 but was made retroactive to Aug. 1, 2023. Kicking out Teslas and Chinese EVs is part of "Trump-proofing our economy," Finance Minister Adrien Sala said in Thursday's announcement, part of the provincial budget. Trump has hit Canada with 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum with plans to implement additional levies on April 2. In anothr development, China has imposed a 100 per cent levy on Canadian canola oil and meal, plus a 25 per cent duty on seafood and pork. Manitoba's decision could spur other EV manufacturers to bring in more vehicles for buyers who are now "looking at the other choices that are out there," Hart said, highlighting a potential upside. Lots of choices It would have been worse for Manitoba consumers a few years ago when Teslas were one of the few available EVs, he said. "Right now we have so many other choices that I don't know if it's going to impact us as much — and I get why they're doing it." However, buyers looking for a sedan similar to the Tesla Model 3 won't find anything comparable, Hart said. And if someone really likes the technology incorporated into a Tesla, "there's not a whole lot of other choices out there that are really good." "I guess my one personal disappointment is the Chinese vehicles being taken off, also," Hart said. "I don't know how far they're going with that. Technically, Volvo is owned by a Chinese company so … it will be interesting to see if they're taken off or left on, as the ones we're getting aren't necessarily made in China but are owned by a Chinese company." Many people buy Volvos for their safety record, which has routinely been ranked highly by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in the U.S. "So they want that for their family car and all that and unfortunately, if they're taken off the list … it might be that difference between getting [an EV] and not getting one," Hart said.
CBC
21-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Manitoba government boots Tesla from EV rebate program as part of budget's 'elbows up' commitment
Social Sharing The Manitoba government is fighting back in the ongoing trade war with the United States by ending its provincial parks pass contract with a Texas-based company and kicking electric vehicles made by Elon Musk's company Tesla out of its rebate program. Those moves were part of Thursday's $25.9-billion provincial budget, in which the NDP government also pledged an additional $500,000 to its export support program to help Manitoba businesses diversify their sales beyond the United States. The changes are part of "Trump-proofing our economy," said Finance Minister Adrien Sala, who announced in his budget speech that a provincial rebate will no longer be available for people who purchase a Tesla or any electric vehicles manufactured in China. "It's part of our government's commitment to be elbows up," Sala told reporters during a budget briefing Thursday. "[U.S. President] Donald Trump is creating a historic threat to our economy." Last week, Trump hit Canada with 25 per cent tariffs on steel and aluminum. He has said he plans to implement additional levies on April 2. The Manitoba budget announced Thursday also included a worst-case scenario plan the province can implement if the tariffs continue, which included hundreds of millions of dollars of additional money to support the agriculture sector and to help businesses, among other measures. Budget targets Tesla and U.S. companies in midst of trade war 2 hours ago Duration 2:01 The threat of tariffs loomed over today's budget speech. So much so that it contains 'a contingency tariff budget.' It projects a $600M revenue shortfall if the U.S. goes ahead with its tariff threats. And hundreds of millions of additional spending to support people and businesses affected. As part of its response, Manitoba won't continue its contract with Aspira, a Texas-based firm that was contracted in 2020 to sell passes online for Manitoba provincial parks. That contract is set to end in April and won't be renewed, the government said Thursday. While it searches for a Canadian vendor, the province will make entry to all provincial parks free this year, beginning April 1, which it estimates will mean forfeiting almost $3 million in revenue. According to the budget, over $5 million has gone to the Texas firm since it began administering the park passes. Meanwhile, while the government is pledging $14.8 million to continue its electric vehicle rebate program this year, Teslas and Chinese EVs will be excluded. Manitobans can currently get a $2,500 rebate on the purchase of a used EV or plug-in hybrid, and $4,000 for a new vehicle. As of January, the province had already paid out almost $10 million in rebate s since the program was introduced last July. To be eligible, vehicles must be purchased or leased from Manitoba dealerships, with a maximum manufacturer's price of $70,000. Currently, there are six Tesla models that are eligible for the rebate. None of the vehicles on the province's current list are from Chinese manufacturers. The province hasn't said when the change to the program will take effect. The retaliation against the car company owned by Musk — a close ally of Trump who also heads up the newly created Department of Government Efficiency — follows similar moves in other provinces. In Ontario, Toronto city council has approved a change that temporarily makes newly manufactured Teslas ineligible for grant funding from the city's zero emission vehicle for hire program. And B.C. Hydro announced last week that it is excluding Tesla products from its electric vehicle charger rebate program in response to U.S. tariffs. 'Government is doing the right thing': Chamber CEO But University of Winnipeg economist Philippe Cyrenne questioned the wisdom of targeting Tesla and China by excluding their vehicles from the provincial EV rebate. Politicizing the response to tariffs "usually doesn't work out well," he said. "It's not clear why Manitoba is following suit" with Democrats in the U.S. on the pushback against Musk, he told CBC Thursday. "Six months ago we were celebrating people who bought a Tesla," Cyrenne said, but now, they have become "persona non grata." Tesla did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Lauren Stone, the finance critic for the Opposition Progressive Conservatives, said she supports buying Canadian, but thinks the government shouldn't control what people purchase. "I am not a fan of the government interfering in Manitobans' purchasing decisions," she said. "I think we should be encouraging local and expanding our export markets, but that should be up to Manitobans and their pocketbooks." Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce CEO Loren Remillard said the move against Chinese EVs is appropriate, given a 100 per cent levy on Canadian canola oil and meal, plus a 25 per cent duty on seafood and pork enacted by China this week. "We are in a global trade dispute right now, and I think it behooves Manitoba and all governments across Canada to make sure we are Canada-first," he said.
Axios
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Axios
Trump strangles Europe
President Trump stunned, strangled and humiliated Europe — leaving America's closest continental ally dazed and dumbfounded. That was over the course of three short days this week. The big picture: No amount of " Trump-proofing" could have prepared Europe for the MAGA-shaped hurricane that swept across the continent this week, wreaking torrential havoc on America's closest allies. Driving the news: Trump left NATO and Ukraine still reeling with his initiation of direct peace talks with Russia, without Ukraine fully in the loop or other European leaders even in the conversation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth perplexed and perturbed allies on his first visit to NATO by seemingly taking some of Ukraine's bargaining chips off the table before those talks began. He also demanded that Europe take ownership of its own defense so the U.S. could focus on the more urgent threat from China. Back at home, Trump announced "reciprocal" tariffs on every country that imposes import duties on the U.S., likely affecting $600 billion worth of goods from the EU. And at a global AI summit in Paris on Tuesday, Vice President Vance torched the EU's "excessive regulation of the AI sector" and "hand-wringing about safety," and left the conference without signing its joint declaration. But it was in Vance's remarks to the Munich Security Conference on Friday that things got particularly personal. "[T]he threat that I worry the most about vis-a-vis Europe is not Russia, it's not China, it's not any other external actor," Vance began in one of his first major speeches on the world stage. "What I worry about is the threat from within. The retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values: values shared with the United States of America." What came next left conference attendees silent, stunned and steaming. Vance called European Union officials "commissars" — a reference to the Soviet Union — and accused them of censoring their citizens in the name of fighting disinformation and hate speech online. He excoriated Romania for annulling the results of its Nov. 24 election, in which an obscure ultranationalist candidate rocketed to first place after a TikTok campaign that intelligence services linked to Russia. He condemned the convictions of a British man who prayed outside an abortion clinic, and of a Swedish man who participated in Quran burnings that led to his friend's murder. And he said that of all the challenges Europe faces, there's "nothing more urgent than mass migration" — tying Thursday's terrorist attack in Munich to a "series of conscious decisions" by European politicians. Between the lines: Ahead of Germany's snap election on Feb. 23, Vance called for an end to political "firewalls" — the principle of refusing to form governments with far-right parties such as the AfD. Vance later met with the leader of the AfD — becoming the highest-ranking U.S. official ever to do so — while snubbing Germany's center-left Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Together, Vance's actions amounted to an astonishing intervention in European politics that was swiftly condemned by top officials, including Germany's conservative leader and likely next chancellor. Zoom out: No one could ever mistake Trump for a great supporter of Europe, which he once said"treats us worse than China." But whether it's threatening to annex Greenland from Denmark, or picking Saudi Arabia as the mediator for Russia-Ukraine talks, the second Trump term could mean twilight for the transatlantic relationship. The bottom line: Europe's leaders have been bracing for Trump's return for well over a year. And yet much like the Democrats paralyzed by the chaos at home, the last three days have exceeded their worst nightmares.
CBC
27-02-2025
- Health
- CBC
Manitoba needs to 'Trump-proof' its health-care system amid tariff threats, doctors' advocacy group says
A physicians' advocacy group says Manitoba needs to make sure the premier's calls to "Trump-proof" the economy extend to the health-care system. Doctors should buy locally sourced supplies and equipment wherever possible, said Dr. Randy Guzman, president of Doctors Manitoba. The organization is changing its own procurement practices. "We've been very encouraged by Premier Wab Kinew's forward-thinking actions and what he calls 'Trump-proofing' Manitoba," Guzman, who's a vascular surgeon at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, said at a virtual news conference Thursday. "Today, Doctors Manitoba is offering advice to expand this 'Trump-proof' strategy to include our health-care system." U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will end a month-long pause and slap a 25 per cent tariff on most Canadian goods as of March 4. Earlier this month, Premier Wab Kinew said Canada needs to "Trump-proof" its economy in response to the president's threats, including by searching for more diverse export markets, and that productivity investments in Manitoba need to move forward. Guzman said helping doctors get information about the source of the equipment and supplies they buy is part of what's needed. Doctors Manitoba has also asked its members to help identify any items that are needed specifically from the U.S., because they could become vulnerable to supply disruptions or price increases. "We're not quite where the grocery chains are at in identifying what is supplied and what is at risk, but we need to get there, and we're asking our members and our suppliers," he said. Anything from dressings to stents could be among the items affected. "Let's say we have a stent graft that is 25 per cent more. Well, we still are dealing with a budget," Guzman said. "How does that work? It's not an unlimited budget.… And if you times that by many, you know, hundreds or thousands of items, then it becomes a very big deal." Spokesperson Keir Johnson said the items identified so far as U.S.-based products that doctors in Manitoba rely on are wide-ranging, from vaccines and drugs to IV fluids and medicine pumps to computers, bedsheets and gowns. Doctors Manitoba is also concerned about the Canadian government's list of U.S. products that would be subject to tariffs from this side of the border. While it doesn't appear to include specific medical supplies, there are a number of items commonly used in medical settings, like soap and prescription pads — and Johnson said he hopes avoiding impacts to the health-care system is considered in any tariff retaliation. "We just want to make sure that we're thoughtful in the response, that we're not inadvertently jacking up costs in health care with a regulatory response, that we're monitoring supply chains closely if there's any disruptions, and that we're finding a way to promote and buy local in health care," Johnson said at the virtual news conference. The organization also hopes to see continuing increases to health-care funding alongside any economic responses to tariffs and their impacts. "There's now a potential crisis over here that might require massive government investment to support business, to support workers … if tariffs were to go ahead, but that can't come at the expense of health care," he said.
