Trump’s Eighth Week in Office: Tariffs, Ukraine Negotiations, and Controversy

Donald Trump is going into his eighth week of his second term, continuing to push hard policies both at home and abroad. Ranging from trade wars and peace talks to government program cuts, here’s an overview of the week’s biggest events.

Escalating the Trade War

Trump’s administration proceeded with a 25% tariff on all steel and aluminum imports, a move that was a shock to world markets. But the doubling of tariffs on Canadian metals was abruptly reversed after negotiations with Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Ford’s promise to suspend new electricity charges on U.S. exports diffused tensions, prompting Trump trade adviser Peter Navarro to say, “Cooler heads prevailed.”

Economic Uncertainty and Market Jitters

Tariff uncertainty and Trump’s unwillingness to state that a recession is not on the horizon spooked investors. When asked about concerns about an economic recession, Trump evaded the question and characterized the current situation as a “transition.” His evasive response did nothing to calm Wall Street, as the S&P 500 dropped nearly 3% the next day.

EU Tariff Threats: A New Front in the Trade War

The European Union did not escape the brunt of Trump’s bellicose trade policies. The president vowed to slap a tremendous 200% tariff on beer and wine imports from EU nations as retaliation against the European tariffs on American whiskey. Trump, notoriously an alcoholic abstainer, called the EU’s trade conduct “hostile and abusive.”

Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks and Military Aid

The Trump administration launched peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, which ended in a proposed 30-day ceasefire. The plan was greeted with caution by Kyiv, but Moscow was not so eager, with Vladimir Putin saying, “A lot ahead to be done.” A significant shift was made when the U.S. indicated it would resume delivering military aid and sharing intelligence with Ukraine, reversing a recently imposed suspension.

Environmental and Education Cuts

Trump continued his environmental rollback by revoking $20 billion in climate and environmental grants, such as $1.7 billion in diversity and environmental justice initiatives. Meanwhile, the Department of Education unveiled plans to cut 1,300 jobs—nearly half of its workforce—in fulfilling a long-sought conservative aspiration of curbing federal overreach in education.

Deportation Controversy: Columbia Protester Targeted

There was a court battle against the administration’s attempt to deport Palestinian activist and Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil. Khalil, who is a permanent legal resident, was arrested for participating in pro-Gaza rallies. Trump supported the crackdown as part of his administration’s decision to strip $400 million of federal funding from Columbia University over its handling of campus antisemitism.

USAID Reductions and Document Shredding Scandal

Profound cuts in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) involved a dramatic situation where employees were instructed to “shred as many documents” as possible. With 83% of USAID programs being cut now, concerns are being raised regarding the long-term impacts of these drastic reductions to foreign aid programs.

Strained Diplomacy with Iran

Trump’s straightforward diplomatic style manifested as a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, appealing for negotiations with Tehran’s nuclear program. The reaction from Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was prompt and curt, describing Trump’s offer as “a deception of public opinion.”

CDC Leadership Turmoil

With a surprise action, the White House withdrew its nominee for the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Dr. Dave Weldon, just hours before his Senate confirmation hearing. The administration attributed this to a lack of votes, an unusual situation where a Trump nominee failed to advance.

Tesla Protests and Trump’s Support for Musk

Protests erupted at Tesla factories across the U.S., with protesters targeting Elon Musk’s close association with the Trump administration. While the majority of the protests were peaceful, some became violent, and Trump even went as far as to label the protesters “domestic terrorists.” Even in the midst of the uproar, Trump went on record to commend Musk and even egged himself into potentially purchasing a Tesla.

Irish Diplomacy and JD Vance’s Socks

In one of his few light moments, Trump welcomed Ireland’s Taoiseach Micheál Martin to the White House and accepted the customary shamrock bowl. Vice President JD Vance, however, was the actual showstopper with his green shamrock-print socks, which were an unexpected cause of controversy during inflation discussions.

Looking Ahead

Trump’s eighth week in office has been anything but eventful, with trade tensions, foreign policy actions, and domestic policy upheavals defining the administration’s trajectory. With the present economic uncertainty and geopolitical issues, the coming weeks should be no exception.