Trump threatens China with 10% tariff over fentanyl claims
Donald Trump has threatened to ignite a trade war with China after suggesting he intends to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported to the US from the country over the issue of fentanyl.
Trump said “We’re talking about a tariff of 10 percent on China based on the fact that they’re sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada.”
In response, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that “we always believe there is no winner in a tariff or trade war” and that her country would safeguard its interests.
During his election campaign Trump suggested he would seek 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada.
Key events
Spain’s prime minister Pedro Sánchez has asserted this his country is a “reliable partner” in the Nato alliance after criticism from Donald Trump earlier in the week.
Reuters quotes Sánchez, the secretary-general of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ party, saying the Spanish army’s participation in Nato operations was “well above the average”, and arguing that “We are a reliable partner and I think you have to look more broadly to see if a country is committed or not with the security of Nato’s allies.”
Trump, who has been a highly vocal critic of defence spending levels among the alliance, on Monday said “Spain is very low” when asked about their contribution. Trump also confused Spain for being in the Brics grouping led by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
California’s attorney general, Rob Bonta, said the state would join a lawsuit against Donald Trump’s executive order that would end birthright citizenship in the US. Here is a video clip of him announcing the move.
Russia sees ‘small window of opportunity’ to make agreements with Trump administration
On Tuesday, President Donald Trump was critical in public of Russian president Vladimir Putin, saying “He’s not doing so well” in the war on Ukraine. This morning there has been a response from Russia.
Reuters reports Russian deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Wednesday that Moscow sees a small window of opportunity to forge agreements with the new administration.
Speaking at the Institute for US and Canadian Studies, a thinktank in Moscow, Ryabkov said:
We cannot say anything today about the degree of the incoming administration’s capacity to negotiate, but still, compared to the hopelessness in every aspect of the previous White House chief there is a window of opportunity today, albeit a small one.
It is therefore important to understand with what and whom we will have to deal, how best to build relations with Washington, how best to maximise opportunities and minimise risks.
Russia has not had an ambassador in Washington since October when Anatoly Antonov left his post.
Trump, who campaigned for election saying he would end the war in Ukraine, said on Tuesday of Putin and Russia:
He should make a deal. I think he’s destroying Russia by not making a deal. I think Russia is going to be in big trouble. You take a look at their economy. You take a look at their inflation in Russia. I got along with him great. I would hope he wants to make a deal.
He can’t be thrilled. He’s not doing so well. He’s grinding it out. It’s not making him look very good. I think he would be well off to end that war.
On Tuesday Putin held a lengthy phone call with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, during which diplomats said they discussed Ukraine and the two countries’ relationships with Trump and the new US administration.
Here is the video clip of the Episcopal bishop of Washington, Mariann Edgar Budde, pleading with Trump during a prayer service at the Washington National Cathedral to protect immigrants and respect gay rights.
If you would like something to listen to, today’s episode of our Today in Focus podcast features our senior political reporter Joan E Greve talking through the string of radical executive orders on immigration enacted by Donald Trump on his first day in office. You can listen to it here.
Trump administration orders all DEI program workers to be placed on paid leave
The Trump administration is ordering federal employees in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) program roles to be put on paid leave by Wednesday evening, NBC is reporting.
A new memo from the Office of Personnel Management also asks federal agencies to submit plans to dismiss all DEI program employees by 31 January. Websites and social media accounts for DEI programs are to be closed.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said it was a “promise kept”, and “another win for Americans of all races, religions, and creeds.”
She added “President Trump campaigned on ending the scourge of DEI from our federal government and returning America to a merit based society.”
Trump threatens China with 10% tariff over fentanyl claims
Donald Trump has threatened to ignite a trade war with China after suggesting he intends to impose a 10% tariff on goods imported to the US from the country over the issue of fentanyl.
Trump said “We’re talking about a tariff of 10 percent on China based on the fact that they’re sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada.”
In response, China’s foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday that “we always believe there is no winner in a tariff or trade war” and that her country would safeguard its interests.
During his election campaign Trump suggested he would seek 25% tariffs on goods from Mexico and Canada.
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