Category: United States International Relations

One Month into the Trump Presidency

The president has moved swiftly to remake Washington. But for business leaders, that volatility has often been hard to navigate.
Trump Dismantles Government Fight Against Foreign Influence Operations

The Trump administration has reassigned or forced out several dozen government employees who had been working to fight foreign interference in U.S. elections at multiple agencies, according to current and former officials.
Bessent to Skip G20 Finance Ministers Meeting in South Africa

The Treasury secretary is the second top U.S. official to boycott the Group of 20 gatherings because of rising tension with South Africa over its land policies.
Right-Wing Media Praises U.S.-Russia Talks as ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

Many of President Trump’s media allies were quick to celebrate this week’s negotiations, a contrast to the deep unease expressed by the foreign policy establishment.
Senate Confirms Howard Lutnick as Commerce Secretary

A longtime Wall Street executive, Mr. Lutnick will take on a broad portfolio that includes defending U.S. business interests and overseeing restrictions on technology exports.
Ukraine Rejects U.S. Demand for Half of Its Mineral Resources

President Volodymyr Zelensky publicly faulted the American offer, which is tied to continued aid, because it did not include security guarantees.
Trump Pushes Tariff Threats on Global Scale

With less than a month in office, the president has pursued trade actions that could shatter the global trading system and dwarf the trade measures he took over his entire first term.
Hot Inflation Raises Stakes of Trump’s Tariffs

Economists warn that enacting tariffs at a time of persisting price pressures is a risky move.
Taiwan Prepares for Trump’s Tariffs, and a Changed Washington

Taiwanese officials, facing a more transactional U.S. relationship, have traveled to Washington to float energy deals and defend the island’s semiconductors.
Treasury Secretary Expected to Visit Kyiv

The visit by Scott Bessent will be the first by a Trump official since the president’s return to office and comes amid uncertainty about the future of U.S. support for Ukraine.
Ford Chief Executive Says Trump Policies May Lead to Layoffs

The executive, Jim Farley, said President Trump’s tariff and auto policies would raise costs and could force the automaker to cut jobs.
Europe’s Trump Playbook: Offer Carrots but Warn That You Have a Big Stick

The European Union’s so-called Trump task force spent 2024 preparing for a possible trade dispute. Specifics are secret, but guiding principles are becoming clear.