Donald Trump is set to reveal new tariffs. Elon Musk’s financial support fell short in the Wisconsin Supreme Court elections. Plus, two women share their experiences regarding the Trump administration’s unsuccessful deportation efforts against them.
Here’s what you need to know today.
Trump to unveil new tariffs on ‘Liberation Day’ as trade tensions escalate
Today is April 2 — designated by President Donald Trump as “Liberation Day,” during which he is anticipated to introduce the most significant new trade barriers seen in decades. This forthcoming announcement is the result of months of the president’s rhetoric regarding tariffs and will add to the duties he has already established.
The specifics of this new wave of tariffs are still under wraps. Trump has previously signaled his intent to impose tariffs on imported vehicles and auto parts, and he has alluded to additional tariffs that would reciprocate trade actions from other countries, targeting specific industries like pharmaceuticals or tech components. However, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt noted yesterday that Trump and his team are still in the process of “perfecting” these policies.
Some nations are attempting to preempt the new tariffs, with Vietnam and Israel suggesting they might ease duties on U.S. imports, while European leaders are still hopeful for ongoing negotiations.
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In the United States, the looming tariffs have introduced uncertainty into the economy. Stock markets have plummeted, consumer confidence is waning, the Federal Reserve has revised its inflation expectations upwards, and businesses report rising prices.
Trump’s rationale for imposing trade tariffs varies. In his efforts against Mexico and Canada, he cited a need to reduce the influx of fentanyl and undocumented immigration into the U.S. He has been fixated on remedying America’s trade deficit, accusing foreign nations of “taking advantage of” the United States and “ripping us off.”
Economists have expressed skepticism towards Trump’s approach, arguing that his understanding of trade policies is outdated. One expert indicated that Trump’s policy ambitions stem from “some misplaced nostalgia,” suggesting, “We should not wish for American workers to be sewing tennis shoes together — they deserve better jobs than that.”
Read the complete article here, and check our live updates for the latest from Trump’s announcement and responses to the new policies.
Additional tariffs coverage:
- Here’s how tariffs function, who bears the cost both in the short- and long-term, and the reasons for their implementation.
- Metal recycling industries are poised to gain from Trump’s tariffs, but they worry that retaliatory tariffs could negate their potential benefits.
Insights from the special elections in Wisconsin and Florida
Yesterday’s special elections in Wisconsin and Florida saw victories for both Democrats and Republicans, reflecting changing political sentiments ahead of the 2024 elections.
In Wisconsin, Susan Crawford secured a seat on the state Supreme Court, ensuring that liberals maintain a slim majority on the court in this pivotal battleground state.
Crawford’s victory has now painted Elon Musk as a new adversary for Democrats, as he invested millions to support Crawford’s opponent, Brad Schimel. Following the election, the Trump White House dismissed Schimel’s defeat, claiming the off-year election was “predictive of nothing” and confirmed Musk would continue backing Republican efforts. It will be intriguing to see if Democrats can replicate their strategies in other elections where Musk isn’t a significant factor.
The Wisconsin election also highlighted Republicans’ attempts to employ their 2024 strategy, with ads focusing on issues related to transgender rights and crime, which ultimately did not resonate.
In contrast, the GOP strategy proved effective in Florida, where Republicans Jimmy Patronis and state Sen. Randy Fine secured seats in the state’s 1st and 6th Districts, respectively, succeeding former reps Matt Gaetz and Michael Waltz and strengthening the Republican hold in the House. Patronis and Fine arrive in Congress at a crucial moment for the party, as they aim to pass a budget that aligns with Trump’s key policy goals.
Yesterday’s special election results also indicated potential Democratic strengths and featured record voter turnout. Read the full story here.
More political news:
- Sen. Cory Booker’s historic filibuster, lasting over 25 hours, provided a rare moment of optimism for the Democratic Party, which has struggled since the 2024 elections.
- At least six federal agencies are offering employees a new “deferred resignation” option as part of ongoing government downsizing.
- A Supreme Court case today will address a legal challenge from anti-abortion Republican leaders in South Carolina seeking to block Medicaid funding to Planned Parenthood.
- A group of GOP representatives opposed House Speaker Mike Johnson’s initiative to eliminate a proposal facilitating remote voting for lawmakers who become new parents, preventing the legislation from advancing.
- The Trump administration enacted mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services, aiming to reduce its workforce by around 10,000 positions. This included the complete staff from the HHS’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, raising concerns about its ability to help millions of families.
Two women come forward after Trump administration attempted to deport them to El Salvador
Two women alleged that the Trump administration misled them when they were rounded up with over 200 Venezuelan men, suspected members of the Tren de Aragua gang, and sent to El Salvador — only to be returned to the U.S. because the country reportedly refused to accept them.
Heymar Padilla Moyetones and Scarleth Rodriguez are speaking out for the first time with NBC News about their ordeal. They observed confusion and delays within ICE in the days leading up to their flights, and once on board, they were told they were headed to Venezuela, only to realize they had been deceived upon landing in El Salvador. Now back in the U.S., they share a cell at a detention facility in Laredo, Texas.
Moyetones and Rodriguez’s testimony of being mistakenly sent to El Salvador contrasts the Trump administration’s assertions regarding the fairness of the deportation process. This week, the government acknowledged it made a mistake in sending one man, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, to El Salvador, yet has not addressed the women’s circumstances. Read the full story here.
More immigration updates:
- Court documents reveal that U.S. immigration officials utilized a scorecard-like system to accuse Venezuelan nationals of being affiliated with Tren de Aragua, justifying their deportations.
- At least three students recently detained during the Trump administration’s crackdown have been transported to extremely remote detention centers in Louisiana, which advocates and experts allege are rife with human rights violations.
- A judge overseeing a lawsuit in New Jersey challenging the detention of pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil rejected the government’s motion to dismiss his case.
Val Kilmer, renowned for ‘Top Gun’ and ‘Batman Forever,’ passes away at 65
Val Kilmer, the acclaimed actor known for his role as Iceman in “Top Gun,” his turn as Batman, and the memorable line “I’m your Huckleberry” as Doc Holliday in “Tombstone,” passed away last night at 65.
Kilmer died from pneumonia in Los Angeles, surrounded by family and friends, according to his daughter Mercedes Kilmer speaking with the Associated Press.
Kilmer famously remarked, “I’ve lived a magical life,” and he leaves behind a legacy recognized by moviegoers across some of the most iconic films of his era and beyond.
He gained fame playing opposite Tom Cruise as “Iceman” in the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun,” and reprised his role in the 2022 sequel, “Top Gun: Maverick.” Read the full story here.
Catch Up on the Latest
- Attorney General Pam Bondi instructed federal prosecutors to pursue the death penalty for Luigi Mangione, charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December.
- Three South Carolina teenagers and a fourth juvenile were charged with a misdemeanor related to the Table Rock Fire, after authorities claimed they did not extinguish their cigarettes properly.
- Honeybee populations are declining at an alarming rate. This decline could significantly impact grocery prices as bees form the backbone of our food system.
- A family capturing cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., spotted a well-known figure in their background: former President Barack Obama.
Staff Pick: Why shrimpers are eager to participate in Trump’s trade war
Wall Street, home builders, and small business owners will closely monitor today’s announcements regarding Trump’s new tariffs. Local leaders, including Henry Barnes, the mayor of Bayou La Batre, Alabama—a town of around 2,000 residents just south of Mobile—are particularly invested in these developments.
In a climate of trade war anxiety, I sought to understand why shrimpers in this economically struggling community hope to gain from the turmoil. To find out, I visited various locations along Shell Boat Road—from local docks to a shrimp processing plant—and even spent time at Barnes’ net shop. “People are either going to be happy or sad,” he told me, regarding his expectations for what will transpire on “Liberation Day.”
We’ll find out soon. — Bracey Harris, national reporter
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