BUDAPEST—European nations are waking up to the consequences of their own censorship, a former senior advisor to President Donald Trump argued on Wednesday — a cultural shift due in large part to Trump&#8217;s return to the world stage.
Jason Miller, a longtime political strategist and the founder of GETTR, spoke at the EU-US Summit at the Four Seasons Hotel Gresham Palace Budapest, where he discussed the European Union&#8217;s ongoing attempts at censorship of European citizens with former White House director of the Domestic Policy Council Joe Grogan and Matt Mowers, president of the global strategies firm Valcour and a State Department veteran.
Miller held up a copy of The Economist that featured a startling headline in bold: &#8220;Europe&#8217;s Free Speech Problem.&#8221; The Economist is far from a right-leaning publication, the former Trump advisor joked, emphasizing that &#8220;Free speech is a massively big deal here in the EU, as well as the U.K.&#8221;
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&#8220;This is something that everybody realizes is huge,&#8221; he shared, holding up the magazine, &#8220;because what happens with the EU, what happens with the U.K., what also happens with free speech in the United States, all impact each other.&#8221;
As an example, he referred to the United Kingdom&#8217;s request for a “back door” to Apple&#8217;s iCloud encryption to help the British government access Apple iCloud user data. The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/exclusive-tulsi-gabbard-to-probe-national-security-implications-of-uks-demands-to-apple">broke the news in February</a> that Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard was probing the potential implications of such a request.
<div id="attachment_926099" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/european-nations-grapple-with-growing-free-speech-problem-under-trumps-gaze/img_3136" rel="attachment wp-att-926099"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-926099" class="wp-image-926099 size-large" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/05/IMG_3136-864x576.jpg" alt="Photo courtesy of the EU-US Forum." width="864" height="576" /></a>Photo courtesy of the EU-US Forum.</div>
On Wednesday, Miller shared that &#8220;the U.K. government is telling the United States that if Apple still wants to continue doing business in the U.K., that they have to give access to iClouds.&#8221;
&#8220;Of course,&#8221; he noted, &#8220;they say it&#8217;s only to stop the worst of the worst, to stop the bad actors. Anyone in the U.S. intelligence side will tell you, if you open up people&#8217;s individual iClouds&#8230;it will take hackers and other people five minutes, tops, to hack into everybody&#8217;s iCloud. Dangers like this become very, very real.&#8221;
Thanks to Trump&#8217;s comments on the issue, as well as Vice President JD Vance&#8217;s remarks at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, much more attention is on the European leaders leading the charge to censor their citizens.
&#8220;President Trump and the administration are calling attention to [censorship in Europe] and I think really putting the bully pulpit to use,&#8221; Miller told The Daily Wire in an interview following his remarks. He argued that it is &#8220;way too easy for countries to sweep under the rug&#8221; stories like that of Lucy Connolly, whose angry, aggressive post calling for mass deportations <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp3nn60wyr6o">earned her 31 months in jail</a>. 
Miller argued that what Connolly said was certainly unacceptable, &#8220;but it&#8217;s not 31-months-in-prison unacceptable.&#8221;
&#8220;I think the punishment has to fit the crime,&#8221; Miller said.
The president and his administration have made free speech a main focus &#8220;because what happens in one country will impact the U.S.,&#8221; Miller noted. What happens in the European Union, or is dictated by the European Union, will almost certainly happen next in the U.S. unless checked, he argued. 
&#8220;Ultimately, when they start putting restrictions on their free speech then other outlets, whether it be a social media platform, whether it be technology platforms such as Apple or Google or things of that nature, when free speech is suppressed then ultimately what&#8217;s gonna happen is so many of those same policies will be put in place in the United States,&#8221; Miller said.  
&#8220;You see that often there&#8217;s a symbiotic relationship between the two,&#8221; reflected Mowers in an interview with The Daily Wire. &#8220;What you&#8217;re seeing is good policies and bad policies emanate on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMiller?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JasonMiller</a>: ‘Many of these decisions aren’t made by individual countries, they’re being made by bureaucrats in Brussels who are unelected and unaccountable.’ <a href="https://t.co/WOYzkHvb6c">pic.twitter.com/WOYzkHvb6c</a>
— EU-US Forum (@EUUSForum) <a href="https://twitter.com/EUUSForum/status/1927629813864690034?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
&#8220;We&#8217;ve been shining a light on that since we started the EU-US Forum in the early part of last year,&#8221; he explained, noting, &#8220;We&#8217;re seeing election results bear out that Europeans are fed up with the status quo, the bureaucrats in Brussels, the over regulation, the over taxation, the fact that they&#8217;re clamping down on free speech, they&#8217;re doing nothing to address the unchecked migration that is jeopardizing security and jobs.&#8221;
Their comments come as a group of senior State Department officials head to France and Ireland this week to push both countries to respect citizens’ rights, part of a State Department effort to fight “egregious examples of democratic backsliding” and “violations of basic natural rights” in Europe, a senior State Department official shared with The Daily Wire.
The initiative, launched by the department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, is especially focused on defending freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to privacy. In France, the State Department delegation will meet with government officials to discuss the recent arrest of French politician Marine Le Pen. In Ireland, their discussion will focus on concerns that a new European Union law could be used to censor free speech.
As Vance highlighted in Munich, the Trump administration sees real threats facing its allies in Europe “from within” — particularly cases of governments targeting their own citizens and particular forms of political and religious speech. Those targeted are disproportionately Christian, conservative, or nationalist.
“It’s not a coincidence that these kinds of global forces are using similar tactics to those that were used on this side of the Atlantic against President Trump and his supporters over the past eight years,” the State Department official shared.
Vance&#8217;s remarks in Munich continue to dominate discussions of free speech across the globe, and will likely continue to do so during CPAC Hungary 2025, where conservative leaders and commentators are gathering this week. Miller suggested that Trump&#8217;s and Vance&#8217;s statements on censorship as of late are a &#8220;loud wake up call&#8221; to European nations and a &#8220;pretty clear signal that President Trump and Vice President Pence are not going to back down.&#8221; 
&#8220;They&#8217;re gonna stand up and fight for free speech all around the entire world, and I think that&#8217;s a good thing,&#8221; he argued. &#8220;Ultimately that supports the sovereignty of individuals and nations that are, say, members of the EU, that free speech has to be defended.&#8221; 
&#8220;It&#8217;s been monumental,&#8221; Mowers said of the Trump administration&#8217;s impact on Europe. &#8220;You&#8217;re seeing it right now play out in the trade relationship that President Trump has been negotiating with the EU, and recent developments that are happening in the last few hours, where they are saying now by early July they have a goal of getting a framework in place.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
.<a href="https://twitter.com/JasonMiller?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@JasonMiller</a> on the weaponization of government from the left:
‘The last line of defense for the extreme radical left is the legal system&#8230; people should be able to embrace the sovereignty and individuality and the rights that they hold as citizens.’ <a href="https://t.co/C764l03NTI">pic.twitter.com/C764l03NTI</a>
— EU-US Forum (@EUUSForum) <a href="https://twitter.com/EUUSForum/status/1927633391790547220?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 28, 2025</a></blockquote>
Mowers praised Vance for arguing that the United States&#8217; relationship with Europe is strong, but that it must be based on an honest conversation about the problems at hand — namely, that the EU has been trampling free speech, failing to honor the outcomes of elections, and disenfranchising political leaders with whom they disagree.
&#8220;If we&#8217;re going to talk about the uniqueness, and the real pedestal we want to put our relationship on, which is worthy, we&#8217;ve got to start acting it too,&#8221; Mowers said.
&#8220;That&#8217;s not going to happen with some outside influence, it&#8217;s going to happen from within, and you&#8217;re seeing European voters vote that way as well, because they&#8217;re expressing their frustrations with the leaders who have ignored the actual challenges in their lives.&#8221;

IMG_3136

European Nations Grapple With Growing ‘Free Speech Problem’ Under Trump’s Gaze

Donald Trump

European Union

Hungary

Jason Miller

WASHINGTON—A group of senior State Department officials will head to France and Ireland this week to push both countries to respect citizens’ rights, The Daily Wire has learned.
The trip is part of a State Department effort to fight &#8220;egregious examples of democratic backsliding&#8221; and &#8220;violations of basic natural rights&#8221; in Europe, a senior State Department official shared with The Daily Wire. The initiative, launched by the department’s Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, is especially focused on defending freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to privacy.
The countries in question “claim to be bastions of democracy,&#8221; the senior State Department official explained, &#8220;they&#8217;re so-called liberal democracies that preach inclusivity and tolerance and progress, and the reality on the ground just simply shows that isn&#8217;t the case.&#8221;
In France, the State Department delegation will meet with government officials to discuss the recent arrest of French politician Marine Le Pen. In Ireland, their discussion will focus on concerns that a new European Union law could be used to censor free speech.
Under President Donald Trump, the State Department is working to push American allies to respect the rights of their citizens and the rights of American citizens. Foggy Bottom sees trips like this as opportunities to battle the global political apparatus that has been weaponized against both European and American people, an apparatus that wants to silence individuals who stand up for traditional values like faith, freedom, and family.
As Vice President JD Vance highlighted at the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, President Donald Trump&#8217;s administration sees real threats facing its allies in Europe &#8220;from within&#8221; — particularly cases of governments targeting their own citizens and particular forms of political and religious speech. Those targeted are disproportionately Christian, conservative, or nationalist.
&#8220;It&#8217;s not a coincidence that these kinds of global forces are using similar tactics to those that were used on this side of the Atlantic against President Trump and his supporters over the past eight years,&#8221; the State Department official shared.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has <a href="https://f233cf64.streaklinks.com/CcLXDh56OqECKj6vpgth4qlU/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.state.gov%2Freleases%2Foffice-of-the-spokesperson%2F2025%2F05%2Fsecretary-of-state-marco-rubio-before-the-house-committee-on-appropriations-subcommittee-on-state-foreign-operations-and-related-programs-on-the-fy26-department-of-state-budget-request%2F" target="_blank" rel="noopener">repeatedly emphasized</a> that everything the State Department is doing must be done in the &#8220;national interest.&#8221; Increasingly, the State Department is noticing that the measures taken by the European Union are not only affecting European citizens, but also affecting American individuals and companies.
&#8220;In the spirit of our common culture or common Western heritage, that champions natural rights and free speech, we think we can speak frankly with our European allies about these real concerns,&#8221; that official noted. &#8220;If we&#8217;re not on the same page civilizationally, if we&#8217;re not on the same page politically, if we&#8217;re not on the same page values-wise, it makes those very important relationships much harder to guarantee.&#8221;
In March 2025, French authorities charged Marine Le Pen — a conservative and  presumptive presidential candidate for the &#8220;National Rally&#8221; — with embezzlement. A court quickly found her guilty, placed her on house arrest, and banned her from seeking elected office for five years.
The State Department is taking her stature as a political leader and the disproportionate speed at which the French government proceeded with the ban into consideration. They find her case &#8220;unique and concerning,&#8221; The Daily Wire has learned.
In Ireland, the officials will focus on the Digital Services Act, European Union legislation that will impact American companies based in Ireland, particularly technology companies. The legislation ostensibly aims to protect children by moderating online content and harmful practices like child pornography.
But in practice, a State Department official told the Daily Wire, it has been used to target political speech deemed to be hateful or offensive by European governments. American social media companies face heavy fines if they do not conform to the censorship rules.
&#8220;It&#8217;s obviously being weaponized, for political purposes,&#8221; the State Department official said.
State Department officials traveled to the United Kingdom earlier this year, where they met with Livia Tossici-Bolt, a woman prosecuted for holding a sign near a Bournemouth abortion clinic that read: “Here to talk if you want.”
The State Department issued a statement at the time announcing that it was monitoring Tossici-Bolt&#8217;s case and that it was important to the United States that the United Kingdom “respect and protect freedom of expression.&#8221; Tossici-Bolt was convicted in April and ordered to pay a fine of £20,000, <a href="https://f233cf64.streaklinks.com/CcLXDhZ391NTbBI6xAEv1WCt/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fworld%2F2025%2Fapr%2F04%2Fabortion-campaigner-livia-tossici-bolt-buffer-zone-clinic" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Guardian reports</a>.
The State Department trip comes amid an ongoing trade war between the United States and European nations. Pressed by The Daily Wire earlier this month as to whether a newly-signed trade deal with the United Kingdom included any assurances from Britain to protect free speech and freedom of religion, Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said the agreement was solely focused on the economy.

Former President Donald Trump Rallies For Marco Rubio In Florida

EXCLUSIVE: State Department Officials Head To Europe To Fight For Free Speech

Censorship

Marco Rubio

Marine Le Pen

State Department

President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he is pushing back the deadline to raise tariffs on imports from the European Union after a conversation with its leader, who says more time is needed to hash out a &#8220;good deal.&#8221;
In a <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114570775887793036" target="_blank" rel="noopener">post</a> on Truth Social, Trump shared that the deadline of June 1 to raise the tariff rate from 10% to 50% — which he <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-fires-off-flurry-of-trade-war-barbs-threatens-apple?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Fires+Off+Flurry+Of+Trade+War+Barbs%2C+Threatens+Apple" target="_blank" rel="noopener">floated</a> on Friday — would be delayed until July 9. The president said he decided to delay the tariffs after receiving a call from European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
&#8220;I received a call today from Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, requesting an extension on the June 1st deadline on the 50% Tariff with respect to Trade and the European Union,&#8221; Trump said. &#8220;I agreed to the extension — July 9, 2025 — It was my privilege to do so. The Commission President said that talks will begin rapidly. Thank you for your attention to this matter!&#8221;
Von der Leyen said she had a &#8220;good call&#8221; with Trump in a post on X.
&#8220;The EU and US share the world’s most consequential and close trade relationship,&#8221; von der Leyen <a href="https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1926729529436913794" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>. &#8220;Europe is ready to advance talks swiftly and decisively. To reach a good deal, we would need the time until July 9.&#8221;
Just before Memorial Day weekend began, Trump declared he would impose a 50% tariff on products from the European Union, apparently moving up the deadline of the 90-day pause of his &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs for the European bloc by a little more than a month.
“The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with,&#8221; Trump said at the time. &#8220;Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere!&#8221;
&#8220;Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025,&#8221; he added. &#8220;There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States.&#8221;
Trump <a href="https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/1926765292371198342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> reporters in Morristown, New Jersey, on Sunday that von der Leyen &#8220;wants to get down to serious negotiation.&#8221;
Earlier this month, the United States and China <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/u-s-china-release-details-of-agreement-to-dramatically-slash-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">agreed</a> to lower steep tariffs above 100% imposed on each other&#8217;s goods as they continue trade discussions. Trump administration officials have also unveiled a trade deal <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-u-s-uk-reach-historic-trade-deal/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">framework</a> with the United Kingdom and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/sorry-china-bessent-says-deal-with-massive-trade-partner-very-close" target="_blank" rel="noopener">teased</a> more deals in the making with other nations dealing with &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs, including many facing the prospect of higher rates above the 10% baseline once the 90-day pause expires.

President Donald Trump

Trump Delays 50% Tariffs On EU After Its Leader Blinks

Economy

Tariffs

Trade War

U.S.

President Donald Trump floated a series of new tariffs targeting Apple and the European Union on Friday, ramping up his push for companies to make their products in the United States.
In a pair of Truth Social posts, Trump said he was pondering slapping a 50% tariff on products from the European Union and a 25% tariff on Apple products if it does not move manufacturing to the United States. Trump said that trade talks with the European Union were not going anywhere and that he was recommending his new tariff take effect on June 1.
&#8220;The European Union, which was formed for the primary purpose of taking advantage of the United States on TRADE, has been very difficult to deal with. Their powerful Trade Barriers, Vat Taxes, ridiculous Corporate Penalties, Non-Monetary Trade Barriers, Monetary Manipulations, unfair and unjustified lawsuits against Americans Companies, and more, have led to a Trade Deficit with the U.S. of more than $250,000,000 a year, a number which is totally unacceptable. Our discussions with them are going nowhere! Therefore, I am recommending a straight 50% Tariff on the European Union, starting on June 1, 2025. There is no Tariff if the product is built or manufactured in the United States,&#8221; Trump wrote.
Tariffs on the European Union are currently at 10% after Trump placed a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs on April 9.
Andrew Bremberg, the former ambassador to Geneva and director of the Domestic Policy Institute, praised Trump&#8217;s pressuring of Europe.
“Europe must address the burdens it places on U.S. technology, telecommunications, and other important sectors,&#8221; he told The Daily Wire. &#8220;This is an important step in revitalizing our relationship, correcting systemic imbalances, and presenting a united front against the growing influence of Communist China in both Europe and the United States.”
In an earlier Friday post, Trump said Apple should move to manufacture the iPhone in the United States or face a steep tariff. Apple CEO Tim Cook reportedly met with Trump on Tuesday at the White House.
&#8220;I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhone’s (sic) that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else,&#8221; Trump wrote. &#8220;If that is not the case, a Tariff of at least 25% must be paid by Apple to the U.S. Thank you for your attention to this matter!&#8221;
Trump&#8217;s call on Friday for the iPhone to be made in America <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-urges-companies-like-apple-to-move-production-to-u-s-as-china-trade-war-intensifies?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=Trump+Urges+Companies+‘Like+Apple’+To+Move+Production+To+U.S.+As+China+Trade+War+Intensifies" target="_blank" rel="noopener">echoed</a> his previous comments about wanting to bring production of the popular smartphone to the United States. Last month, after placing more than 100% tariffs on Chinese imports, Trump said it would be a great time for Apple to move manufacturing to the United States.
“This is a GREAT time to move your COMPANY into the United States of America, like Apple, and so many others, in record numbers, are doing,” Trump <a href="https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114307832213562859">wrote</a> on Truth Social. “ZERO TARIFFS, and almost immediate Electrical/Energy hook ups and approvals. No Environmental Delays. DON’T WAIT, DO IT NOW!”
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=memorial&amp;utm_content=editorialmemorialday" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Memorial Day Sale – Get 40% Off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
For years, Apple has manufactured iPhones in China, relying on the country’s cheap labor costs, but it has recently moved some of its production to India as it seeks to diversify its production base. Apple is considering ramping up iPhone production in India and shipping the devices to the United States.
In an April press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt affirmed that Trump wanted the iPhone made in the United States.
“Absolutely,” she said. “He believes we have the labor, we have the workforce, we have the resources to do it.”

US-POLITICS-TRUMP

Trump Fires Off Flurry Of Trade War Barbs, Threatens Apple

Apple

Executive

Politics

Tim Cook

The European Union is looking to give itself some leverage against the Trump administration, releasing a plan on Thursday to hit the United States with additional tariffs if trade negotiations don&#8217;t come to fruition.
The European Commission unveiled two steps it would take against the United States, including a higher tariff on more than $100 billion worth of U.S. goods and unleashing a trade dispute against the United States with the World Trade Organization, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/08/world/europe/eu-retaliatory-tariffs-trump-us.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>. The European Union announced its retaliation plan as President Donald Trump said he will agree to a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-to-announce-major-trade-deal-with-united-kingdom?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;row=1&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;title=Trump+To+Announce+%E2%80%98Major+Trade+Deal%E2%80%99+With+United+Kingdom" target="_blank" rel="noopener">&#8220;major deal</a>&#8221; with the United Kingdom on Thursday.
“We believe there are good deals to be made for the benefit of consumers and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic,” said European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. “At the same time, we continue preparing for all possibilities, and the consultation launched today will help guide us in this necessary work.”
The European Union says American goods on the <a href="///Users/zachjewell/Downloads/Information%20gathering_list%20of%20products%20for%20consultation_EU%20common%20commercial%20policy%20measures%20on%20imports%20of%20goods%20from%20the%20US.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">list</a> that could be hit with an additional tariff include a wide range of products from cars and airplanes to grain and meat. The bloc is also considering a restriction on exports of scrap steel and chemical products. The list is not final, and the European Commission will review feedback on it before providing a final list over the summer, according to <a href="https://www.axios.com/2025/05/08/eu-trump-tariffs" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Axios</a>.
Trump slapped a 20% tariff on the European Union in his &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariff rollout last month. The bloc <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/10/eu-suspends-retaliatory-tariffs-us-goods-trump-von-der-leyen" target="_blank" rel="noopener">retaliated</a>, hitting U.S. goods with a 25% duty, but after Trump announced he would lower tariffs to 10% across the board for most countries, the European Union suspended its retaliatory action for 90 days. Trump&#8217;s 25% tariff on aluminum and steel products and car imports remains in effect.
While Trump did not reveal any details of the upcoming deal with the United Kingdom, he said the agreement &#8220;is a full and comprehensive one that will cement the relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom for many years to come.&#8221; A British official also <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/07/business/economy/trump-trade-britain.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told</a> The New York Times that the deal would benefit both countries, but did not offer specifics.
The agreement with the United Kingdom could give the European Union a better hint at how to negotiate with the Trump administration in the coming weeks. Trump said earlier this week that his administration “could sign 25 deals right now,” but added that it’s up to other countries “to sign deals with us.”

E.U. Reveals Plan To Hit U.S. With Additional Tariffs If Trade Talks Stall

Trump Administration

President Trump declared &#8220;there will be a trade deal, 100%&#8221; with Europe before a meeting Thursday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the first European leader to visit the White House since he paused planned tariffs last week.
The meeting comes just days after both the European Union and Trump paused respective tariffs for 90 days to allow time for negotiations.
The Italian Prime Minister has been <a href="https://www.politico.com/newsletters/playbook/2025/04/17/europes-trump-whisperer-arrives-00295414">dubbed</a> the “Trump Whisperer” by the media, meeting with Trump before even EU Commission leader Ursula von der Leyen, who Trump has yet to schedule a meeting with 88 days into his presidency.
&#8220;I&#8217;m sure we can make a deal, and I am here to help with that,&#8221; Meloni said to the media prior to her lunch with Trump.
“I cannot lock this deal in the name of the European Union,” she <a href="https://nypost.com/2025/04/17/us-news/trump-vows-there-will-be-a-trade-deal-100-with-europe-as-italy-pm-georgia-meloni-visits-white-house/">added</a>, per the New York Post. “My goal would be to invite President Trump to pay an official visit to Italy and understand if there’s a possibility when it comes to organizing such a meeting with Europe.”
The White House sees Meloni as a possible bridge between Trump and the 27-member European bloc, who Trump has <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/us/politics/meloni-trump-tariffs.html?smid=url-share">accused</a> of trying “screw” the United States on trade, establishing what officials describe as a &#8220;bespoke&#8221; trade deal.
Aside from trade, another issue likely to be addressed in the meeting is NATO, with Trump likely to prod Meloni on Italy’s failure to hit the requisite 2% of GDP on defense spending agreed to decades ago.
Italy is currently one of eight countries failing to hit that benchmark, at only 1.5%, per The New York Times.
Meloni addressed this point, saying, &#8220;Europe, as you know, is committed to do more, is working on tools to allow and help the [NATO] member states in increasing the defense spending. And we are convinced that everyone has to do more.&#8221;
Administration officials indicated Trump will also pitch having Italy import more American energy as part of his broader goal to &#8220;unleash American energy exports to the rest of the world.&#8221;
In 2024, the United States trade deficit with the European Union <a href="https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/c0003.html">stood</a> at approximately $236 billion, with American manufacturers often competing against European products while facing higher tariffs and more restrictive regulations when exporting to EU markets.
Trump&#8217;s approach seeks to address these disparities through bilateral negotiations with key European partners.
Meloni&#8217;s visit carries particular significance as both leaders share common ground as populist conservatives who have emphasized national sovereignty and border security.
The Italian Prime Minister <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63351655">rose</a> to power in 2022 as the country&#8217;s first female leader, campaigning on a platform that resonated with conservative voters concerned about immigration and traditional values.
The &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs that Trump temporarily suspended <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/09/european-union-approves-first-set-of-retaliatory-tariffs-on-us-imports.html">included</a> a 25% tariff on European luxury cars, steel, and aluminum, and a 20% levy on billions of dollars of European goods ranging from food products to machinery.
Following their discussions, Trump and Meloni are scheduled to hold a joint press conference in the Rose Garden, where further details about potential trade agreements and bilateral cooperation may be announced.

US-ITALY-DIPLOMACY-TRUMP-MELONI

‘There Will Be A Trade Deal, 100%’: Trump Eyes EU Agreement In Meeting With Meloni

Giorgia Meloni

Global Politics

Italy

World

The European Union will put retaliatory tariffs on the United States on hold following President Donald Trump’s Wednesday announcement that he was pausing most tariffs on all countries except China. 
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Thursday that the body would put a 90-day pause on its retaliatory actions in order for negotiations to take place. That is the same amount of time that Trump said he would pause most tariffs on all countries but China to work out trade deals that are more favorable to the United States. 
In a statement posted on X, von der Leyen said that European retaliatory tariffs could still take effect if negotiations fell through. 
“We took note of the announcement by President Trump. We want to give negotiations a chance. While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our Member States, we will put them on hold for 90 days,” she said. “If negotiations are not satisfactory, our countermeasures will kick in. Preparatory work on further countermeasures continues. As I have said before, all options remain on the table.”
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We took note of the announcement by President Trump.
We want to give negotiations a chance.
While finalising the adoption of the EU countermeasures that saw strong support from our Member States, we will put them on hold for 90 days.
If negotiations are not satisfactory, our…
&mdash; Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1910278392349327628?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 10, 2025</a></blockquote>
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The announcement comes after the European Union <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/european-union-approves-retaliatory-tariffs-on-american-goods?author=Leif+Le+Mahieu&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=undefined&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;title=European+Union+Approves+Retaliatory+Tariffs+On+American+Goods" target="_blank" rel="noopener">voted</a> 26-1 to impose tariffs on more than $20 billion of U.S. goods. American products like soybeans, meat, iron, steel, textiles, tobacco, and ice cream were expected to be hit with tariffs of up to 25%, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/09/eu-tariffs-trump-steel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to a copy of the retaliatory plan obtained by The Washington Post.
Earlier on Thursday, von der Leyen <a href="https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1910216093651632569" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> she welcomed Trump’s decision to pause most tariffs, calling it an “important step towards stabilizing the global economy.”
She also said she would support a “zero-for-zero” tariff agreement with the United States. 
“Tariffs are taxes that only hurt businesses and consumers. That’s why I’ve consistently advocated for a zero-for-zero tariff agreement between the European Union and the United States,&#8221; von der Leyen said. “The European Union remains committed to constructive negotiations with the United States, with the goal of achieving frictionless and mutually beneficial trade.”
At the same time Trump paused most reciprocal tariffs he hiked the tariff on Chinese goods to 125%. That came after Chinese officials announced an 84% tariff on American goods, which went into effect on Thursday. 
Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/a-deal-is-going-to-be-made-with-everyone-trump-speaks-after-dropping-most-tariffs-for-90-days?author=Zach+Jewell&amp;category=News&amp;elementPosition=7&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;title=‘A+Deal+Is+Going+To+Be+Made+With+Everyone’%3A+Trump+Speaks+After+Dropping+Most+Tariffs+For+90+Days" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> Wednesday that he expected to make a deal with all countries, including China. 
“A deal is going to be made with China,” he said. “A deal is going to be made with every one of them, and there will be fair deals. I just want fair.”

Prime Minister Of Norway Visits The EU Commission

EU Puts Retaliatory Actions Against U.S. On Hold After Trump’s Tariff Pause

China

The European Commission voted on Wednesday to impose retaliatory tariffs on American goods in response to President Donald Trump’s decision to levy a tariff on European steel and aluminum.
The commission plans to impose tariffs on more than $20 billion of U.S. goods in response to the 25% tariff Trump placed on European steel and aluminum. The response comes as an additional 20% tariff on imports from the European Union went into effect at midnight on Wednesday. 
“The EU considers US tariffs unjustified and damaging, causing economic harm to both sides, as well as the global economy,” the European Union said in a joint <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/es/statement_25_1025" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>. “The EU has stated its clear preference to find negotiated outcomes with the US, which would be balanced and mutually beneficial.”
Tariffs will be applied to American products like soybeans, meat, iron, steel, textiles, tobacco, and ice cream, <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/04/09/eu-tariffs-trump-steel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to a copy of the plan obtained by The Washington Post. The outlet reported that the EU approved levies up to 25% on various U.S. products.
The body said that the retaliatory actions, which will be implemented on April 15, could be “suspended at any time” if the United States “agrees to a fair and balanced negotiated outcome.” 
The retaliatory action was <a href="https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-takes-revenge-on-trumps-metals-tariffs-approved-as-countries-close-ranks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">opposed</a> by Hungary, which was the only country in the European Commission to vote against the proposal. 
“Escalation is not the answer. Such measures would cause further damage to European economy and citizens by raising prices. The only way forward is negotiations, not retaliation,” Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs Péter Szijjártó <a href="https://x.com/FM_Szijjarto/status/1909942153268109495">posted</a> on X. 
More retaliatory actions by the European Commission are expected to follow this first round. This retaliation “will take account not only of European imports, but also of other ways in which we can respond,” <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/eu-imposes-new-tariffs-23-billion-us-goods-120636128" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according</a> to French Economic Minister Eric Lombard.
“The idea is that, with these extremely strong, extremely powerful measures, we can get to the negotiating table on an equal footing, so that both sides of these duties can be lowered and all our economic sectors protected,” he said. 
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to <a href="https://www.yahoo.com/news/italys-meloni-confirms-white-house-182708200.html">visit</a> the White House on April 17 to speak with Trump about the tariffs. 
On Monday, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the European Union would be willing to negotiate with the United States for zero tariffs on industrial goods. 
“Europe is ready to negotiate with the U.S. We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods because we’re always ready for a good deal,” she <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/e-u-ready-to-negotiate-with-trump-offers-zero-for-zero-tariffs-on-industrial-goods">said</a>. “But we’re also prepared to respond with countermeasures. And protect ourselves against indirect effects through trade diversion.”
Other countries have also retaliated against the U.S. tariffs, with China announcing plans to levy an 84% tariff on all American goods. In response, the Trump administration has stood by its approach, saying that it would look to make trade deals more favorable to the United States.

BELGIUM-EU-POLITICS

European Union Approves Retaliatory Tariffs On American Goods

The Supreme Court hands President Donald Trump two wins – one on deportation and another on downsizing the government. The stock market sees another turbulent day, leading to China increasing its reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports to 84%. And, Trump is set for nuclear negotiations with Iran but warns that the regime might be in jeopardy if talks go south.
It’s Wednesday, April 9, and this is the news you need to know to start your day. If you’d rather listen to your news, today’s edition of the Morning Wire podcast can be heard below:
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<iframe style="width: 100%; max-width: 660px; overflow: hidden; border-radius: 10px;" src="https://embed.podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/scotus-trump-wins-stock-market-tariff-turbulence-4-9-25/id1576594336?i=1000702839221" height="175" frameborder="0" sandbox="allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation"></iframe>
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<h2>Supreme Court Clears The Way For Deportations &amp; DOGE</h2>
<div id="attachment_905039" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-905039" class="size-large wp-image-905039" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/SCOTUS-Facade-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/SCOTUS-Facade-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/SCOTUS-Facade-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/SCOTUS-Facade-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/SCOTUS-Facade-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/SCOTUS-Facade-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/SCOTUS-Facade-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/SCOTUS-Facade-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />(Photo by Al Drago/Getty Images)</div>
Topline: The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for the Trump administration to deport alleged illegal alien gang members under a 1798 law. 
The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 that President Trump may use the Alien Enemies Act to deport suspected gang members –  but the court also said those potential deportees have a right to due process. The decision had both sides of the case claiming victory.
“Today is a bad day to be a terrorist in the United States of America,&#8221; Kristi Noem, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, said on Monday. “Today, the Supreme Court came out with a decision that reaffirmed that President Trump was correct in using his authority on using the Alien Enemies Act to deport terrorists out of this country. Thank you President Trump for your leadership in making America safe again.”
However: The justices unanimously agreed that in each case, the alien has a right to have his deportation order reviewed by a judge. 
The case was brought by a group of Venezuelan nationals. They filed suit in the D.C. District Court and the case fell to Judge James Boasberg – who has frequently ruled against the administration. Boasberg put a freeze on not only the deportations. The Supreme Court said the lawsuit should have been filed in Texas, where the deportees were being held.
The illegal immigration case was related to a lower court judge’s deadline for the administration to return a mistakenly deported Salvadoran national to the United States. Kilmer Abrego Garcia, 29, was mistakenly deported to El Salvador – he had previously said he would face violence if deported back to his home. A judge had given the Trump administration until midnight on Monday to get him back to the United States. The administration said that timeline was impractical, and the Supreme Court agreed.
In other news: The Supreme Court knocked down a lower court order that blocked Trump from cutting 16,000 probationary workers from the federal government
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<h2>The Trade War Continues: Allies Seek Detente, Rivals Escalate</h2>
<div id="attachment_905041" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-905041" class="size-large wp-image-905041" src="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Trade-War-NYSE-Floor-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Trade-War-NYSE-Floor-864x576.jpg 864w, https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Trade-War-NYSE-Floor-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Trade-War-NYSE-Floor-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Trade-War-NYSE-Floor-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.dailywire.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Trade-War-NYSE-Floor-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />(Photo by ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images)</div>
Topline: One week after Liberation Day, President Trump says he is gearing up for formal tariff negotiations with trade partners, offering optimism for consumers and markets as China raises its reciprocal tariffs on U.S. goods to 84%. 
On Tuesday, the president announced major developments on a trade deal with South Korea, America’s sixth-largest trading partner. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said he’d just finished a “great call” with acting President Han Duck-soo, <a href="https://x.com/annmarie/status/1909597238260625410">adding,</a> “We have the confines and probability of a great DEAL for both countries. Their top TEAM is on a plane heading to the U.S., and things are looking good.” 
According to the South Korean government, they’re willing to import more American products, particularly natural gas, in exchange for reduced tariffs. Likewise, the president said <a href="https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-spoke-ishiba-set-tough-141853292.html">Japan</a>, our fourth-largest trade partner, is sending a negotiating team to Washington to meet directly with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
In the coming days, the Trump administration will host representatives from Vietnam, our tenth-largest trading partner. And on April 17, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will visit the White House to negotiate on behalf of the European Union. All told, the White House says nearly 70 countries have expressed a desire to negotiate.
“To countries around the world, bring us your best offers and [President Trump] will listen,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt <a href="https://x.com/RapidResponse47/status/1909660284568109505">told</a> reporters on Tuesday. “Deals will only be made if they benefit American workers and address our nation’s crippling trade deficits. America does not need other countries as much as other countries need us and President Trump knows this.”
However: Beijing appears to be digging its heels in for a drawn-out trade war. On Wednesday, China, America’s largest trading partner, said it would increase its reciprocal tariffs on U.S. imports to 84%. This was after China had doubled down, saying it would “never accept such treatment” before slapping additional 34% tariffs on U.S. imports. China accused the White House of economic “blackmail,” and Trump responded with a 50% tariff on top of those already in place — starting at midnight on April 9, when the Chinese began facing 104% tariffs on all goods coming to America. It’s not exactly breaking news that the U.S. imports a lot of stuff from China — the expected price increases on those goods are clearly spooking investors.
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<h2>Trump Announces “Top Level” Talks With Iran</h2>
<div id="attachment_905047" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption alignnone"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-905047" class="size-large wp-image-905047" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Trump-with-Netanyahu-Co-864x576.jpg" alt="" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Trump-with-Netanyahu-Co-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Trump-with-Netanyahu-Co-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Trump-with-Netanyahu-Co-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Trump-with-Netanyahu-Co-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Trump-with-Netanyahu-Co-2048x1365.jpg 2048w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Trump-with-Netanyahu-Co-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2025/04/Trump-with-Netanyahu-Co-1200x800.jpg 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />(Photo by Yuri Gripas/Abaca/Bloomberg via Getty Images</div>
Topline: On Monday, President Trump announced that his administration will have “top-level” direct talks with Iran.
During a meeting in the Oval Office with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Trump announced that he would be open to negotiations with Iran on Saturday. If these talks do not go well, Trump said that the Iranian regime will be in “great danger.”
“It’s not a complicated formula,” Trump <a href="https://x.com/KassyAkiva/status/1909339143026663769?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1909339143026663769%7Ctwgr%5E7d8fe0700f7a5f78c5fbe98930a68e6e11b7c20f%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailywire.com%2Fnews%2Ftrump-says-iran-will-be-in-great-danger-if-saturdays-nuclear-talks-fail">said</a>. “Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon, that’s all there is. Right now we have countries that have nuclear power that shouldn’t have it but I’m sure we will be able to negotiate out of that too as part of this later and down the line. But Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and if the talks aren’t successful, I actually think it will be a very bad day for Iran.”
President Trump said the talks would be high-level and direct but declined to say where they would occur. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi later said the talks would take place in Oman and be indirect. In a post on <a href="https://x.com/araghchi/status/1909381747709546786">X</a>, Araqchi wrote, “It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America’s court.” Iranian state-run media gave some more <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx25e5rd2v9o">purported details</a> – they reported that the talks would be between Araqchi and U.S. Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff, with Oman’s foreign minister Badr al-Busaidi as a mediator.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Iran and the United States will meet in Oman on Saturday for indirect high-level talks.
It is as much an opportunity as it is a test. The ball is in America&#39;s court.
&mdash; Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) <a href="https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/1909381747709546786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 7, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Remember: Trump was an outspoken critic of former President Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear deal with the Iranian regime, calling it “one of the worst and most one-sided transactions the United States has ever entered into” and withdrew from it in 2018. Throughout his entire first term, Trump waged a “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran in hopes of curbing both its nuclear program and its support of terror around the world. Under President Joe Biden, Iran’s various proxy groups in the Middle East ramped up their aggression: in Yemen, the Houthis began attacking shipping vessels in the Red Sea, and in Gaza, Hamas launched the October 7 terror attacks, killing roughly 1,200 people in Israel. 
Trump is pursuing a deal now because Iran is reportedly <a href="https://isis-online.org/isis-reports/detail/the-iran-threat-geiger-counter-extreme-danger-grows">weeks away</a> from producing a nuclear weapon. The Trump administration has taken<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-shares-footage-of-military-strike-on-houthis-they-will-never-sink-our-ships-again"> extensive military action</a> against the Houthis, which could be construed as a show of force against their Iranian backers, and American military assets have <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/irans-military-commanders-locked-and-loaded-for-preemptive-strike-on-u-s-bombers-report" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surged</a> to the region in preparation for a possible strike.

Gavel And U.S. Supreme Court Building

Morning Brief: Trump SCOTUS Wins, Trade War & Nuclear Talks With Iran

Immigration

Iran

Iran Nuclear

Israel

Japan

Media

Morning Wire

South Korea

Supreme Court

For the third consecutive day of trading following President Donald Trump&#8217;s tariff rollout, U.S. stock indexes dipped as Wall Street anxiously awaits the result of the president&#8217;s aggressive move.
The Dow Jones ended Monday down 349 points (0.9%) while the S&amp;P 500 dropped 0.2%, which was a big recovery from earlier in the day when it was down 4.7% at its low. The Nasdaq was down 3% earlier on Monday, but ended the day up 0.1% thanks to investors going in on tech stocks, such as Nvidia and Palantir.
Trading was a rollercoaster ride early in the day as stocks suddenly skyrocketed following a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/white-house-shoots-down-reports-claiming-trump-considering-tariff-pause?row=0&amp;elementPosition=4&amp;rowType=Vertical+List&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;title=White+House+Shoots+Down+Reports+Claiming+Trump+Considering+Tariff+Pause&amp;category=News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">false report</a> that spread on social media claiming that President Donald Trump was considering a 90-day tariff reprieve. The Dow Jones saw a record swing, dropping by more than 1,700 points in the morning before going up 2,595 points. The S&amp;P 500 swung from down 4.7% to up 3.4% during morning trading.
After the dramatic swing on Wall Street Monday morning, investors became uneasy again when Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-gives-china-deadline-to-remove-retaliatory-tariff-or-face-additional-50?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;row=1&amp;elementPosition=0&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;title=Trump+Gives+China+Deadline+To+Remove+Retaliatory+Tariff+Or+Face+Additional+50%25&amp;category=News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">threatened</a> to hit China with an additional 50% tariff after the communist country levied a 34% retaliatory tariff on the United States on Friday. Trump gave China a deadline of Tuesday “to withdraw” its retaliatory tariff on the United States before he moves forward with more tariffs. If the additional 50% tariff goes into effect, it would be added onto the 34% tariff imposed by Trump last week, which was put in place on top of a 20% levy the president imposed on China shortly after taking office.
Apple shares fell by over 5% in response to increased trade tensions with China and ended the day down <a href="https://www.cnn.com/markets" target="_blank" rel="noopener">3.7%</a>. Tesla was also down 2.6%, and Amazon climbed 2.5%.
While Wall Street remains wary of the impending global trade war, many countries appear willing to come to the negotiating table to avoid Trump&#8217;s hefty tariffs. On Monday, the European Union <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/e-u-ready-to-negotiate-with-trump-offers-zero-for-zero-tariffs-on-industrial-goods?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;row=1&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;title=E.U.+%E2%80%98Ready+To+Negotiate%E2%80%99+With+Trump%2C+Offers+%E2%80%98Zero-For-Zero+Tariffs+On+Industrial+Goods%E2%80%99&amp;category=News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> it offered the United States &#8220;zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods,&#8221; and Trump held &#8220;a very constructive phone discussion&#8221; with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba.
Following Trump&#8217;s call with Ishiba, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/new-golden-age-of-global-trade-bessent-opens-negotiations-with-japan-following-trumps-tariffs?row=3&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;author=Zach+Jewell&amp;title=%E2%80%98New+Golden+Age+Of+Global+Trade%E2%80%99%3A+Bessent+Opens+Negotiations+With+Japan+Following+Trump%E2%80%99s+Tariffs&amp;category=News&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> he will meet with Japanese leaders to seek out a new trade agreement. Trump also <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/trump-revives-possible-sale-of-u-s-steel-to-japans-nippon-steel?row=3&amp;elementPosition=3&amp;rowType=Vertical+Carousel&amp;author=Tim+Pearce&amp;title=Trump+Revives+Possible+Sale+Of+U.S.+Steel+To+Japan%E2%80%99s+Nippon+Steel&amp;category=News&amp;rowHeadline=Latest+News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ordered</a> a new review of the possible sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel.
“Japan remains among America’s closest allies, and I look forward to our upcoming productive engagement regarding tariffs, non-tariff trade barriers, currency issues, and government subsidies,” Bessent said. “I appreciate the Japanese government’s outreach and measured approach to this process.”
On Monday afternoon, Trump <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/netanyahu-pledges-to-eliminate-israels-trade-deficit-with-u-s-in-hopes-of-avoiding-tariffs?topStoryPosition=undefined&amp;row=1&amp;elementPosition=1&amp;rowType=Top+Stories&amp;rowHeadline=Top+Stories&amp;author=Kassy+Akiva&amp;title=Netanyahu+Pledges+To+Eliminate+Israel%E2%80%99s+Trade+Deficit+With+U.S.+In+Hopes+Of+Avoiding+Tariffs&amp;category=News" target="_blank" rel="noopener">met</a> with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, where Netanyahu pledged to &#8220;eliminate the trade deficit with the United States &#8230; very quickly.&#8221; The meeting took place after Trump hit Israel with a 17% tariff.
According to Treasury Secretary Bessent, &#8220;Over 50 countries have responded both openly and positively to @POTUS @realDonaldTrump’s historic action to create a fairer, more prosperous system of global trade.&#8221;
&#8220;We look forward to meaningful negotiations with them over the coming weeks,&#8221; Bessent added.

Stock Market

Stocks Fall For Third Straight Day As Trump Barrels Through Tariff Fight

Communist China

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that the European Union wants to negotiate tariffs with President Donald Trump and has already offered the United States &#8220;zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods.&#8221;
The Trump administration hit the E.U. with a 20% tax when the president unveiled his &#8220;Liberation Day&#8221; tariffs on countries around the globe. The tariff on E.U. imports is set to go into effect on Wednesday, but European leaders hope to strike a deal to avoid the hefty tax.
&#8220;Europe is ready to negotiate with the US. We have offered zero-for-zero tariffs for industrial goods because we&#8217;re always ready for a good deal,&#8221; von der Leyen <a href="https://x.com/vonderleyen/status/1909238427272307101">said</a>. &#8220;But we’re also prepared to respond with countermeasures. And protect ourselves against indirect effects through trade diversion.&#8221;
The 20% tariff on E.U. imports is on top of a <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/europe-tariffs-us-trump-slaps-duties-aluminum-steel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">25% tariff</a> on European steel and aluminum that Trump imposed last month, which affects around $28 billion worth of goods. In response to Trump&#8217;s tariffs, the E.U. has slapped taxes on American meat, dairy, and alcohol, among other products. The E.U.&#8217;s tariffs on American imports began on April 1 and are set to go into full effect on April 13.
In a fact sheet on Trump&#8217;s tariffs, the White House called out the E.U. for imposing a steep tariff on American vehicle imports. The White House <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/regulating-imports-with-a-reciprocal-tariff-to-rectify-trade-practices-that-contribute-to-large-and-persistent-annual-united-states-goods-trade-deficits/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">wrote</a>, &#8220;For example, the United States imposes a 2.5 percent tariff on passenger vehicle imports (with internal combustion engines), while the European Union (10 percent), India (70 percent), and China (15 percent) impose much higher duties on the same product.&#8221;
E.U. representatives from 27 bloc countries are preparing to vote on additional retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods on Wednesday. E.U. Trade Minister Maros Sefcovic <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/world/europe/europe-tariffs-trump-response.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> that European leaders &#8220;are fully prepared to sit at the negotiation table whenever our American partners are ready,&#8221; adding, “While the E.U. remains open to and strongly prefers negotiations, we will not wait endlessly. We are prepared to use every tool in our trade defense arsenal.”

Ursula von der Leyen/ Donald Trump

E.U. ‘Ready To Negotiate’ With Trump, Offers ‘Zero-For-Zero Tariffs On Industrial Goods’

The European Union is considering levying a $1 billion fine against Elon Musk&#8217;s X, alleging that the social media company has violated its law against disinformation and illicit content, The New York Times <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/03/technology/eu-penalties-x-elon-musk.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reported</a>.
Along with the hefty fine, the E.U. would also demand that X make changes to its product, according to the Times, which cited &#8220;four people with knowledge of the plans.&#8221; If the E.U. moves forward, it would be the first fine imposed by the body using its Digital Services Act (DSA). The <a href="https://commission.europa.eu/strategy-and-policy/priorities-2019-2024/europe-fit-digital-age/digital-services-act_en#:~:text=Digital%20Services%20Act%20(DSA)%20overview,and%20open%20online%20platform%20environment." target="_blank" rel="noopener">DSA</a> &#8220;regulates online intermediaries and platforms &#8230; to prevent illegal and harmful activities online and the spread of disinformation.&#8221;
The social media company formerly known as Twitter, which Musk said he took over to restore free speech, <a href="https://x.com/GlobalAffairs/status/1907963263419297893" target="_blank" rel="noopener">responded</a> to the potential enforcement of the E.U.&#8217;s social media law, saying the move would be &#8220;an unprecedented act of political censorship and an attack on free speech.&#8221;
&#8220;X has gone above and beyond to comply with the EU’s Digital Services Act, and we will use every option at our disposal to defend our business, keep our users safe, and protect freedom of speech in Europe,&#8221; the company added.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino <a href="https://x.com/lindayaX/status/1907980612947841444" target="_blank" rel="noopener">added</a>, &#8220;This would be an egregious example of regulatory overreach. X continues to fight the attempts to stifle free speech taking place around the world, whether on our platform or off. We’re committed to protect this fundamental right for our users.&#8221;
Last July, the E.U. <a href="https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_24_3761" target="_blank" rel="noopener">concluded</a> that X violated the DSA &#8220;in areas linked to dark patterns, advertising transparency and data access for researchers.&#8221; In its report, the E.U. claimed that X verifies accounts and hands out &#8220;Blue checkmarks&#8221; in a way that &#8220;deceives users.&#8221;
&#8220;Since anyone can subscribe to obtain such a &#8216;verified&#8217; status, it negatively affects users&#8217; ability to make free and informed decisions about the authenticity of the accounts and the content they interact with,&#8221; the E.U. said.
The E.U. also accused X of failing to provide adequate transparency in advertising and failing to hand over its public data to researchers &#8220;in line with the conditions set out in the DSA.&#8221;
E.U. regulators reportedly hit the brakes on the investigation into X to discuss potential ramifications for going after a company controlled by one of President Donald Trump&#8217;s closest advisers and top donor. The E.U. has also been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration as Vice President JD Vance called out the bloc during a speech in February, slamming the E.U. for its digital censorship.
The Times reported that Musk&#8217;s social media company could still settle the dispute with the E.U., but that would likely require X to make changes to satisfy the governing body. If X chooses to fight the fine, it&#8217;s unclear how the legal process would play out between the American social media company and the E.U. The bloc is also going after U.S. tech companies Meta and Apple for allegedly violating the DSA.

Elon Musk

E.U. Reportedly Considering Massive Fine For Elon Musk’s X Over ‘Disinformation’

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