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For weeks, President Donald Trump has said he’ll be imposing a range of fresh tariffs on imports from other countries this Wednesday, April 2, calling it “Liberation Day” and the “big one.” But what does that even mean? “For DECADES we have been ripped off and abused by every nation in the World, both friend and foe,” Trump explained in his own words in a post on Truth Social. “Now it is finally time for the Good Ol’ USA to get some of that MONEY, and RESPECT, BACK. GOD BLESS AMERICA!!!” On Wednesday, Trump is expected to announce his plans for “reciprocal tariffs,” in which the U.S. charges the same import tax on goods into the country as other countries charge on our good into theirs, while also compensating for other trade barriers like regulatory requirements that make it harder for American exports to enter other nations. As we have seen with the administration’s recent 25% tariffs on Canada and Mexico, (currently paused until April 2), slapping taxes on our neighbors and trading partners has escalated fear in the markets, sending them tumbling as we grow closer to full-blown trade wars with some of our greatest allies and trading partners. However, Trump has indicated the size and scope of the tariffs might not be as extensive as his rhetoric might lead us to believe. Recently, Trump indicated a reciprocal tariff policy on “all countries” would be “very lenient,” and has also said, “I don’t change. But the word flexibility is an important word.” What we do know is that the goal is to slap a broad range of tariffs on countries with whom the U.S. has large trade imbalances. Those countries include Germany, Ireland, Italy, Vietnam, Japan, Taiwan, and of course, China, according to CBS News. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said, “on April 2, we are going to produce a list of other countries’ tariffs” with the expectation they will roll them back, otherwise “we will put up the tariff wall to protect our economy, protect our workers, and protect our industries.” The details of who or what is on the list has yet to be released, but what we do know is that Trump is hoping to achieve three things through his “Fair and Reciprocal Plan”: increase American manufacturing jobs at home; decrease our current $1.2 trillion trade deficit; and gain leverage over our trading partners, according to CBS News. Last week, Trump said Wednesday’s planned reciprocal tariffs “may give a lot of countries a break” and confirmed he’ll announce tariffs on autos, semiconductors, and lumber “down the road,” according to Business Insider. Many critics have said this package of tariffs will likely result in greater costs for Americans, who will likely foot the bill as companies hike prices and pass them on to consumers. The tariffs on April 2 could take effect that same day, which would give businesses little time to pivot, with Trump predicting the economy will need an “adjustment” period.
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E-Commerce
Elon Musk gave out $1 million checks on Sunday to two Wisconsin voters, declaring them spokespeople for his political group, ahead of a Wisconsin Supreme Court election that the tech billionaire cast as critical to President Donald Trump’s agenda and “the future of civilization.”“It’s a super big deal,” he told a roughly 2,000-person crowd in Green Bay on Sunday night, taking the stage in a yellow cheesehead hat. “I’m not phoning it in. I’m here in person.”Musk and groups he supports have spent more than $20 million to help conservative favorite Brad Schimel in Tuesday’s race, which will determine the ideological makeup of a court likely to decide key issues in a perennial battleground state. Musk has increasingly become the center of the contest, with liberal favorite Susan Crawford and her allies protesting Musk and what they say is the influence he wants to have on the court.“I think this will be important for the future of civilization,” he said. “It’s that’s significant.”He noted that the state high court may well take up redistricting of congressional districts, which could ultimately affect which party controls the U.S. House.“And if the (Wisconsin) Supreme Court is able to redraw the districts, they will gerrymander the district and deprive Wisconsin of two seats on the Republican side,” Musk said. “Then they will try to stop all the government reforms we are getting done for you, the American people.”A unanimous state Supreme Court on Sunday refused to hear a last-minute attempt by the state’s Democratic attorney general to stop Musk from handing over the checks to two voters, a ruling that came just minutes before the planned start of the rally.Two lower courts had already rejected the legal challenge by Democrat Josh Kaul, who argues that Musk’s offer violates a state law. “Wisconsin law prohibits offering anything of value to induce anyone to vote,” Kaul argued in his filing. “Yet, Elon Musk did just that.”But the state Supreme Court, which is currently controlled 43 by liberal justices, declined to take the case as an original action. The court gave no rationale for its decision.Kaul had no immediate comment on the court’s order.Musk’s attorneys argued in filings with the court that Musk was exercising his free speech rights with the giveaways and any attempt to restrict that would violate both the Wisconsin and U.S. constitutions.The payments are “intended to generate a grassroots movement in opposition to activist judges, not to expressly advocate for or against any candidate,” Musk’s attorneys argued in court filings.Musk’s political action committee used a nearly identical tactic before the presidential election last year, offering to pay $1 million a day to voters in Wisconsin and six other battleground states who signed a petition supporting the First and Second amendments. A judge in Pennsylvania said prosecutors failed to show the effort was an illegal lottery and allowed it to continue through Election Day.Liberals currently hold a 43 majority on the court. All four liberal justices have endorsed Dane County Judge Susan Crawford, the Democratic-backed candidate.Musk’s attorneys, about four hours before the rally was to begin, asked that two liberal justices who have campaigned for CrawfordJill Karofsky and Rebecca Dalletrecuse themselves from the case. His attorneys argued their work for Crawford creates “the specter of inappropriate bias.” If they did recuse, that would leave the court with a 3-2 conservative majority.Both justices rejected the request and said they would spell out their reasons why at a later date.One of the court’s conservative justices has endorsed Schimel, who wore a “Make America Great Again” hat while campaigning Sunday.Schimel said in a national television interview that he does not control “any of the spending from any outside group, whether it’s Elon Musk or anyone else” and that all Trump asked was whether he would “reject activist judges” and follow the law.“That’s exactly what I’ve committed to anybody, whether it’s President Trump, Elon Musk or any donors and donors or supporters or voters in Wisconsin. That’s my commitment,” Schimel told “Fox News Sunday.”The contest has shattered national spending records for a judicial election, with more than $81 million in spending.It comes as Wisconsin’s highest court is expected to rule on abortion rights, congressional redistricting, union power and voting rules that could affect the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election in the state. Associated Press writer Gary Fields in Washington contributed to this report. Thomas Beaumont and Scott Bauer, Associated Press
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E-Commerce
On Friday, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake hit Myanmar in the northern part of the country. Reuters reports the quakes epicenter was about 17.2 km (about 10.6 miles) from Mandalay, the countrys second-largest city with a population of about 1.5 million people. The quake destroyed buildings, roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure in the country. So far, 1,700 people have been confirmed dead and 3,400 injured, but officials say the final death toll may pass 10,000. The quake also hit neighboring Thailand, bringing down a 33-story building with people inside. In Myanmar, the effects of the natural disaster are intensified due to the civil war the country has been engulfed in since 2021. As a result of the conflict, many of the countrys public services, infrastructure, and access to aid were already operating under reduced efficiency. Outside observers, including journalists, have also been limited, which now makes it hard to get a full sense of the true devastation in the Southeast Asian nation. How to donate to Myanmar’s earthquake victims There are ways people outside the country can help Myanmar earthquake victims. This comes via donating to various international relief organizations. Here are five agencies you can donate to right now to help the earthquake victims in Myanmar. Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontires): The non-governmental organization (NGO) provides doctors on the ground to help those who are injured. You can donate to Doctors Without Borders here. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies: The IFRC is accepting donations for Myanmar earthquake initiatives on its dedicated Myanmar earthquake portal. Donations will help the agency provide the urgent support that is needed on the ground. You can donate to the IFRC here. Project HOPE: The humanitarian organization is deploying staff in the region to help with supply chains and to get health professionals, medicines, and other medical supplies to the people who need it the most. You can donate to Project HOPE here. Save the Children: There are a large number of children in Myanmar who have been affected by the quake. The organizations Save the Childrens Emergency Fund is designed to provide assistance, including shelter. You can donate to Save the Children here. UN Crisis Relief: Run by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UN Crisis Relief collects donations to distribute to organizations working on the front lines of humanitarian crises. Donations will go to support life-saving assistance for the victims of the quake. You can donate to UN Crisis Relief here.
Category:
E-Commerce
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