Trump declares commerce chief nominee after new tariffs plan rattles China, Canada and Mexico: Live updates
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Donald Trump has announced a series of nominations for his incoming administration, as he tapped first term veteran Jamieson Greer to be his US trade representative.
The former Air Force lawyer served as chief of staff to the president-elect’s former trade chief Robert Lighthizer, the architect of Trump’s original tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese imports.
If approved by the Senate in January, Grier will be charged with “reining in the country’s massive trade deficit,” the president-elect said on Tuesday evening.
It comes as Trump vowed to impose massive tariffs on “all products” imported into the US from China, Canada and Mexico with the aim of stopping drug smuggling – with growing fears the president-elect has set the stage for a bitter global trade war.
The threatened double-digit tariffs from the three countries – which account for about 40 percent of goods brought into the US – would likely have major impacts on key sectors of the economy, including auto manufacturing, crude oil and agriculture, all of which involve trade with the targeted countries.
On Wednesday, the Trump transition team also announced their desire to appoint a Covid-skeptic to lead the National Institutes of Health.
Trump taps first term veteran Jamieson Greer as US trade representative
Donald Trump has picked Jamieson Greer, protégé of first term trade chief Robert Lighthizer, to be his US trade representative.
The 44-year-old former Air Force lawyer served as chief of staff Li to the president-elect’s former trade representative, the architect of Trump’s original tariffs on hundreds of billions of dollars of Chinese imports.
Grier, a partner at law firm King & Spalding, is expected to influence trade policy and tariff agenda during Trump’s second term.
“Jamieson played a key role during my First Term in imposing Tariffs on China and others to combat unfair Trade practices, and replacing the failed NAFTA deal with USMCA, therefore making it much better for American Workers,” Trump announced on Truth Social late on Tuesday.
If approved by the Senate in January, Grier will be charged with “reining in the country’s massive trade deficit,” the president-elect said.
It follows Trump announcing on Monday that he plans to enact a 25 percent tariff on “all products” imported to the US from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff – with growing fears the president-elect has set the stage for a bitter global trade war ahead of his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
Jimmy Kimmel reveals Trump’s ‘dumb’ tariffs plan could hit MAGA fans where it hurts
Jimmy Kimmel has detailed a potential flaw in Donald Trump’s plan to impose hefty tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, and an additional levy on Chinese goods and services.
The president-elect announced on Tuesday that he plans to introduce a 25 percent tariff on “all products” entering the US from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10 percent tariff on China, prompting fears he has set the stage for a bitter global trade war ahead of his inauguration on January 20, 2025.
James Liddell has the story.
Massive spike in searches for ‘who pays for tariffs’ after Trump’s announcement
Google users have a question: who pays for tariffs?
The phrase exploded in Google searches in late October and saw a massive spike again on Monday night. Those searches are no doubt driven by Trump’s insistence on levying tariffs on foreign-made goods. It appears a lot of people voted for Trump, but only thought after the fact to understand what those tariffs might mean for their wallets.
Graig Graziosi reports.
ICYMI: Trump team reaches deal with White House to begin transition process
In a statement, incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles said Trump was “entering the next phase of his administration’s transition by executing a Memorandum of Understanding with President Joe Biden’s White House” that will enable incoming administration personnel to begin working with their outgoing counterparts.
Andrew Feinberg reports from West Palm Beach, Florida.
Mexico and Canada are taking Trump seriously and literally over tariff threat
Eric Garcia writes:
Continue reading…
Don Jr says Trump may ban mainstream media journalists from the White House briefing room
The president-elect’s son said on his podcast, Triggered with Donald Trump Jr, that they were considering opening up the briefing room to podcasters like Joe Rogan when asked if it was “time to take away” seats belonging to traditional media.
Rhian Lubin has the story.
Denver mayor threatened with jail if he resists Trump deportations
President-elect Donald Trump’s pick for border czar has threatened to throw the Denver mayor in jail if he doesn’t comply with mass deportations.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnston has voiced resistance to Trump’s campaign promise to conduct mass deportations and last week said he would even go to jail to stand up for the cause. Tom Homan, Trump’s border czar nominee, said both he and Johnston think he should be behind bars if he doesn’t abide by what could be a federal policy.
Kelly Rissman reports.
What does the US import from Canada, Mexico and China?
Trump has announced that Canada and Mexico could soon see a 25 percent tariff added to all imported goods while China could face an additional 10 percent – something Trump says is part of an effort to curtail “crime and drugs” coming into the U.S. and slow the number of illegal border crossings.
Though tariffs are designed to promote domestic production and purchasing by taxing imported goods, the increase in cost typically falls on consumers, not foreign governments.
Ariana Baio reports.
How many migrants cross illegally into US from Canada?
Gustaf Kilander takes a look at the numbers.
Hunter Biden ‘whistleblower’ loses $30m defamation case against Fox host
In March, Tony Bobulinski sued Jessica Tarlov, one of the hosts of Fox’s The Five, after she said on air that month that Bobulinski’s legal fees to retain lawyer Stefan Passantino had been “paid by a Trump Super PAC,” after Bobulinski testified as part of the House’s inquiries into the Biden family.
The following day, after Bobulinski’s attorneys reached out to say this wasn’t correct, Tarlov issued a clarification on air.
More details in our full story.
Source: independent.co.uk
