Wednesday, 9 April 2025

Trump announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries while raising tariffs on China to 125%, then escalating further to 104-125% range. The announcement came after significant global market volatility, with stock markets slumping worldwide as concerns about recession mounted.

China announced 84% retaliatory tariffs on all U.S. goods in response to Trump's escalated trade actions. The move marks a significant escalation in the U.S.-China trade war, with analysts noting China has diversified its trade relationships since the 2018 trade war.

Trump announced upcoming tariffs on pharmaceutical imports, prompting warnings from EU drug companies about a potential exodus to the U.S. The pharmaceutical sector faces significant uncertainty as India, a major U.S. drug supplier, braces for impact.

Trump ordered the Department of Justice to investigate former officials Miles Taylor and Chris Krebs, both of whom served under Trump and publicly criticized his actions. The move is part of what observers describe as an intensified campaign against critics.

Trump signed an executive order targeting law firm Susman Godfrey, which represented Dominion Voting Systems in its $787.5 million defamation settlement against Fox News over 2020 election coverage. The order punishes the firm for its role in the suit against Fox.

The Trump administration announced plans to monitor immigrants' social media for antisemitism, drawing condemnation from advocacy groups who characterized it as a pretext for advancing anti-immigrant policies. The initiative was criticized as authoritarian and without proper legal basis.

Forty-one anti-protest bills have been introduced in 22 states since the start of 2025, according to a law tracker, signaling an intensified crackdown on peaceful protest and assembly rights. The trend reflects a broader pattern of restrictions on First Amendment activities.

Trump signed an executive order addressing water pressure in showerheads, with the White House framing it as restoring 'shower freedom' and ending what it called the 'Obama-Biden war on water pressure.' The order targets regulations on water flow rates.

Trump issued an executive order targeting state and local climate laws, directing the Justice Department to cease enforcement of critical policies that hold fossil fuel companies accountable. The order represents a significant rollback of environmental protections at multiple government levels.

The White House is appealing a court ruling that lifted its ban on the Associated Press, attempting to restore restrictions on the news organization's access to White House communications and events. The court had previously ordered full access restoration for the AP.