White House Release New Parameters of International Trade Tariffs
U.S. President Donald Trump spent time in Ireland and the United Kingdom last week and while the White House billed the visit as a business trip, Trump also spent time at two of his golf courses in the region. Here is the latest on what transpired during this trip, as well as a look at other happenings across the political landscape.
Big Week for Trade Deals
The Trump administration has been focused on trade negotiations throughout the past week, starting with the announcement of a new deal between the U.S. and the European Union (EU). The latest deal between the two global superpowers came after Trump met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last Sunday in Turnberry, Scotland. According to the parameters of the agreement, the 27-nation EU will pay a 15% tariff on all imports into the U.S. EU leaders had previously voiced their desire to keep the tariff at a base rate of 10%.
Trump also detailed that the EU will purchase $750 billion worth of energy from the U.S. The U.S. and the EU exchanged roughly $975 billion worth of goods last year, making them major trade partners on a global scale.
The trade news reached a fever pitch late last Thursday when the Trump administration revealed the details of a sweeping trade policy that applies to every trade partner. The parameters of the new trade deal came just a few hours before the August 1 deadline.
Included in the updated trade policy is a base 10% tariff on every nation, slated to go into effect on August 7. The 10% rate only applies to nations that export more U.S. goods than they import. A greater 15% tax will apply to the approximately 40 nations that have a trade deficit with the U.S.
The latest announcement in a carousel of trade news also includes plans to raise taxes on Canadian imports from 25% to 35%. This new tariff went into effect on Friday, August 1. The White House believes that this higher rate will not be as limiting as it may appear on paper, as it does not include goods that are already in compliance with the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Starving Situation in Gaza Intensifies
International political leaders are drawing more attention to the widespread starvation and malnutrition issues across the Gaza Strip. President Trump pointed to the worsening conditions in Gaza as one of the reasons why he wanted to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to start the week. The American president said that his country plans to open what he called "food centers" to help feed the Palestinians in need.
Starmer echoed Trump's concerns last Tuesday, also adding that the U.K. will take steps to recognize a Palestinian state by September should Israeli leaders fail to end the crisis unfolding in Gaza. Starmer also wants Israel to continue to push toward negotiating a ceasefire.
An official with the United Nations (UN) is warning that the next few days are crucial for the humanitarian efforts. The global agency issued an alert on Tuesday, citing the famine in Gaza as a "worst-case scenario." Gaza's health ministry confirmed this week that at least 60,000 Palestinians have perished since the war with Israel started in October of 2023.
Kamala Harris Will Not Run for Governor of California
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will not add governor of California to her list of titles anytime soon. Harris announced on Wednesday that she was not going to go after the role set to be vacated by Gov. Gavin Newsom in 2026. Instead, Harris said that she was going to use her time in the near future to listen to the American people and be an advocate for the Democratic Party. Harris was the favorite to take over Newsom's term-limited seat.
Just one day after putting the lid on the chatter about a possible governorship, Harris announced that she is going to release a book about her 2024 presidential campaign. Set to release on September 23 by publisher Simon & Schuster, the book will be titled "107 Days." Political pundits believe that the decision not to run for governor and to release a new book point to Harris likely considering throwing her name in the ring for the 2028 presidential election.
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