Displaying items by tag: Donald Trump

Britain and the EU are set to formalise a new strategic partnership to strengthen trade ties and present a united front against Donald Trump's global tariff agenda. A leaked draft declaration, dated 25 April, affirms a mutual commitment to ‘free and open trade’ and to maintaining global economic stability. The agreement will be signed at a UK-EU summit on 19 May, marking a key moment in post-Brexit relations. Meanwhile, the Government is engaged in separate negotiations with the USA, aiming to soften the impact of existing tariffs - currently 10% on UK goods and 20% on EU exports. US press secretary Karoline Leavitt said that talks are ‘moving in a very positive way’. Rachel Reeves met with US treasury secretary Scott Besent last week, emphasising that both UK-EU and UK-US trade relationships are vital. Despite Trump reportedly viewing the 10% UK tariff as a minimum, British officials remain optimistic about securing a mutually beneficial deal.

Vladimir Putin has announced a new three-day unilateral ceasefire, to run from 8 to 10 May, coinciding with Russia’s World War II commemorations. It follows a previous thirty-hour Easter ceasefire, which critics say Moscow repeatedly violated. The Kremlin frames these brief pauses as humanitarian gestures; Ukrainian officials argue that if Russia truly sought peace, it would halt hostilities immediately. Foreign minister Andrii Sybiha called for a thirty-day truce instead. Observers question whether Putin’s moves are sincere peace efforts or merely an attempt to influence Donald Trump, who has recently voiced frustration with both Russia and Ukraine. Trump has criticised Putin for continuing attacks on civilian areas and floated harsher sanctions. When in March he proposed a thirty-day ceasefire, Ukraine agreed, but Russia did not. In another development, the much-anticipated natural resources agreement between the USA and Ukraine has been signed: see

Mark Carney’s Liberal Party has secured re-election in Canada, staging a dramatic comeback. Though the Liberals have not won a clear majority, their lead over the Conservatives is decisive. Carney credited the turnaround to a rise in Canadian nationalism sparked by Donald Trump’s aggressive rhetoric and tariff threats, including calls for Canada to become America’s 51st state. These actions galvanised support for the Liberals after the slump which followed former PM Justin Trudeau’s resignation amid economic discontent. Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, who had echoed Trump’s anti-‘woke’ rhetoric, even lost his own parliamentary seat. Carney warned that hard decisions lie ahead:  Canada must now prepare to reduce its economic dependence on the USA while navigating a tense bilateral relationship. The election took place hours after eleven people were killed by a vehicle attack at a Vancouver street fair: see

The USA has presented Ukraine with a controversial one-page peace framework, described as Donald Trump’s ‘final offer’, which would grant significant concessions to Russia, including recognition of its occupation of Crimea and of territories which it has captured since the war began. In exchange, Ukraine would receive vague security guarantees, economic aid, and partial territorial returns. The plan also proposes that the USA would operate Ukraine’s Zaporizhzha nuclear plant and distribute its electricity output between the two countries. Sources say Kyiv views the proposal as heavily skewed in Moscow’s favour. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, drafted the deal after a lengthy meeting with Putin, who has shown interest in freezing current battle lines. However, European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s sincerity, and critics argue that the deal sacrifices core Ukrainian interests for political expediency. Volodymyr Zelensky has drawn further harsh criticism from Trump for refusing to countenance the loss of Crimea: see The war continues, with the worst Russian attack on Kyiv in months: see

As tributes flood in for Pope Francis, attention turns to his legacy of engaging controversial issues such as migration, climate change, and global conflict – and therefore clashing with world leaders. Notably, Francis clashed with Donald Trump over immigration, denouncing his border wall and mass deportation policies. Tensions also emerged with Argentina’s Mauricio Macri and Javier Milei; Milei even called Francis ‘evil’, but softened his tone after taking office. The Pope also criticised Brazil’s Jair Bolsonaro over Amazon deforestation and championed Indigenous rights. On Gaza, Francis condemned Israel’s military actions, suggesting possible genocide - a statement that drew harsh rebukes from Israeli officials. He also condemned the Ukraine war without naming Vladimir Putin directly, while urging dialogue. His ‘white flag’ comment upset Ukrainian leaders. Yet many world leaders - including Trump, Milei, and Zelensky - plan to attend the funeral, honouring a pontiff who never shied from challenge.

According to an anonymous official, the White House is searching for a new Pentagon chief to replace Pete Hegseth, after claims that he shared classified military details via the Signal app with his wife, brother, and lawyer, potentially jeopardising operations in Yemen. This follows his error in March when he mistakenly included a journalist in a similar chat. Donald Trump and press secretary Karoline Leavitt have publicly defended Hegseth, calling the uproar a media smear, and Hegseth has denied wrongdoing, blaming disgruntled ex-employees. Four senior Pentagon advisers have recently departed; three of them were forcibly removed for leaking information to the press, a charge they have denied. Senators have criticised both Hegseth’s conduct and Trump’s judgment in appointing someone lacking high-level leadership experience. Meanwhile, in another controversy, Trump has stated that he has no intention of firing Jerome Powell, chair of the Federal Reserve, even after calling him a ’major loser’ for his refusal to cut interest rates. See

Keir Starmer has cautioned that even if the UK secures a US trade deal or lower tariffs, it will not be enough to safeguard Britain’s economic future. In response to Donald Trump’s imposition of a 10% import tax on British goods, Starmer urged the UK to adapt to a changing global landscape by strengthening cooperation with Europe and diversifying trade partnerships. Trump later announced a 90-day pause on tariffs for most countries, though uncertainty remains. Global markets reacted with volatility, and the Bank of England warned of rising global financial risks. Despite the turmoil, Starmer reaffirmed the government's fiscal discipline. Rachel Reeves is also working to establish trade agreements, including a recent £400 million deal with India, and has planned high-level meetings in Washington and Brussels. The Government aims to boost UK growth by fostering new trade alliances while safeguarding vital interests like the NHS and digital taxation.

Donald Trump is intensifying his efforts to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions. After withdrawing from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), he reimposed sanctions, citing Iran's support for militias like Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has subsequently ignored some of the deal's restrictions and enriched more and more uranium nuclear fuel: analysts fear it could soon be capable of making a nuclear warhead. Trump has reinstated his ‘maximum pressure’ strategy, imposing additional sanctions, but he has now agreed to direct discussions between US and Iranian officials in Oman. However, the USA is demanding full dismantlement of Iran's nuclear programme, a request Tehran will find difficult to accept. Iran’s hardliners view nuclear deterrence as essential, and past negotiations show how challenging these discussions can be. Israel insists on the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear capacity, while military action remains a possibility if talks fail.

China has announced an 84% tariff on all US imports, up from 34%, in retaliation to Donald Trump’s increased tariffs on Chinese imports (now 104%). This move escalates tensions in the ongoing trade war and sent global stock markets into further decline. Global oil prices also fell, adding to fears of a recession. However, US markets later showed some recovery after treasury secretary Scott Bessent hinted at potential trade agreements with allies. Trump is encouraging businesses to move to the USA, claiming zero tariffs and favourable conditions for companies. While China has expressed reluctance to engage in a full-scale trade war, it said it needed to protect its economy. Despite concerns over higher inflation, Trump remains optimistic about revitalising US manufacturing. He has now announced a pause in imposing the harsher tariffs, which has encouraged the stock markets. For a view about what this pause will mean, see

Donald Trump’s announcement of a universal 10% tariff on all imports into the USA, beginning on 5 April, has sparked global alarm. An additional wave of steepened tariffs on approximately sixty nations, including China and EU countries, begins on 9 April. Trump claims the move will revive American manufacturing, calling it overdue payback for unfair trade practices. However, international leaders warn the tariffs will spark economic turmoil and a potential global trade war. Ursula von der Leyen called it a ‘major blow’, while China, facing a 54% total tariff on some goods, promised ‘resolute countermeasures’. Allies like the UK and Australia have urged restraint, while others, such as Brazil and Canada, plan reciprocal actions. Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea also condemned the move. Trump’s tariffs have rattled long-standing allies, confused diplomatic partners, and raised fears of escalating economic isolation. Critics argue that US consumers may bear the burden, with higher prices and increased global instability looming. For an opinion about what a huge gamble Trump is taking, see