Trump Tariffs and International Tensions – 3/9/25

United States

  • Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass faces accusations of erasing texts amid wildfire crisis, per Fox
  • President Trump’s job approval hits 50% (+5) with 45% disapproving, per InsiderAdvantage survey on 3/5 with 800 registered voters
  • President Trump praises Elon Musk as a “patriot” for his DOGE efforts: “He’s really a patriot. He’s done a great job and he’s paying a price for it.”
  • EPA Chief Lee Zeldin alerts public to Mexico releasing vast sewage volumes into Tijuana River, now crossing into U.S.
  • ICE arrests Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, a key figure in Columbia University’s anti-Israel protests, facing deportation, per Visegrád 24
  • Trump’s approval 1.5 months into second term at 49% (YouGov) and 51% (CBS), compared to Obama’s 47% (YouGov) and 52% (CBS)
  • Department of Government Efficiency reveals $312 million in COVID loans went to 11-year-olds
  • President Trump urges companies to manufacture in the U.S., promising “no tariffs” for compliance
  • Senator Elissa Slotkin vows to delay government funding vote until Trump admin guarantees funds align with Congress’ intent, per NBC
  • A Cheeto resembling Pokémon’s Charizard fetches $87,840 at auction, per ABC
  • 14-year-old arrested after New Jersey shooting kills Officer Joseph Azcona, 26, and injures another during weapons probe, per NBC
  • New York’s bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich price surges to $8, per Bloomberg Economics
  • Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick signals no relief from 25% steel and aluminum tariffs starting Wednesday, per Bloomberg Economics
  • Elon Musk reportedly links Tesla protests to billionaires George Soros and Reid Hoffman, citing unnamed investigation, per Forbes
  • Senator Adam Schiff urges Democrats to craft a bold agenda to boost Americans’ economic health, per ABC
  • Trump reportedly aims to scrap Great Lakes agreements with Canada on managing shared waters, per NYT

International

  • Romanian Court disqualifies right-wing candidate Carlin Georgescu from election after his surprise victory, sparking protests
  • Syrian massacres claim 1,311 lives, including 830 civilians—mostly Alawites—231 security forces, and 250 Assad supporters, per i24 citing SOHR
  • Pro-Palestinian activists deface President Trump’s Scottish golf resort over his alleged plan to relocate Gaza’s Palestinian population, per CBS
  • Iran, Russia, and China plan joint naval exercises near Iran’s coast to strengthen ties and challenge U.S. dominance
  • Elon Musk claims Starlink is vital to Ukraine’s defenses, saying “the Ukrainian lines would collapse without” it and Russia can’t disrupt it
  • Trump reportedly won’t resume Ukraine military aid with just a minerals deal, prioritizing peace and elections, per NBC
  • European defense stocks soar past AI investments as top global market performers this year, per WSJ
  • Storm Alfred leaves hundreds of thousands without power in Queensland, eastern Australia, per Reuters
  • Trump’s chaotic tariff rollout confuses allies and businesses, casting doubt on policy goals, per Bloomberg Economics
  • Russian special forces infiltrate gas pipeline to ambush Ukrainian troops in Kursk, as Moscow gains ground in border fight, per AP
  • IMF cautions Canada and Mexico face major economic risks from Trump’s sustained tariffs due to U.S. market reliance, per Bloomberg Economics
  • Protester with Palestinian flag climbs Elizabeth Tower near Big Ben, later persuaded down by negotiators, per NBC
  • Trump’s China tariffs could slam Chinatown businesses, reliant on unique imports not found on mainstream platforms, per NBC
  • WHO warns USAID cuts under Trump could trigger a global tuberculosis spike, per NBC
  • Russian and North Korean troops escalate push, jeopardizing Ukraine’s Kursk foothold, per WSJ
  • Tel Aviv protesters demand hostage release as Israel and Hamas signal progress toward ceasefire talks, per Reuters