Opinion: Let’s call tariffs what they are: A tax hike on Americans

Los Angeles County sued Southern California Edison and its parent company for the deadly Eaton fire, with Pasadena and Sierra Madre also filing suits. Edison is facing numerous lawsuits related to the fire that killed 17 people and destroyed thousands of buildings. The official cause of the fire is still under investigation, but evidence points to Edison equipment as the source, prompting the utility to conduct its own investigation. Full Article

South Africa is preparing a new trade offer for President Trump, aiming to appeal to his transactional foreign policy approach and ease tensions. The country plans to propose a bilateral trade deal with the U.S. to replace the expiring African Growth and Opportunity Act, highlighting sectors like energy. Despite recent disagreements, South African officials hope a favorable trade agreement will help maintain close economic ties with the U.S. and address contentious issues such as the...

The US has halted intelligence-sharing with Ukraine, potentially impacting their ability to target Russian forces following a breakdown in US-Ukraine relations and suspension of military aid deliveries. This move could seriously hamper Ukraine's military capabilities, as US intelligence has been crucial for identifying and striking Russian military targets. Washington has frozen intelligence channels with Kyiv, according to three officials, in a developing story with significant implications for the region. Full Article

The "Trump trade" optimism that boosted the S&P 500 has faded in 2025, leading to negative sentiment and a return to pre-election levels. The emergence of Chinese chatbot DeepSeek has challenged US tech dominance, impacting stock performance. Retaliatory tariffs from Canada, China, and Mexico have escalated trade tensions. The economic impact of tariffs could lead to increased costs for consumers and slower growth. Markets rallied on hopes of a rollback in tariff policy, reflecting investor...

Two weeks after their bank accounts were frozen, nonprofit organizations are unable to withdraw $20 billion intended for climate change efforts due to investigations by the Trump administration. Citibank froze the accounts after allegations of potential fraud by the EPA, despite a lack of evidence for criminal activity. The Trump administration has faced pushback for attempting to claw back funds from the Inflation Reduction Act, with accusations of political motivation and interference in grant distribution....

President Trump initiated sweeping tariffs on imports from Canada, Mexico, and China, triggering a trade war that risks undermining the U.S. economy. His actions have led to market turmoil and retaliation from trading partners, with businesses and economists questioning the rationale behind the tariffs. Despite potential negotiations, uncertainty remains as tariffs could lead to higher prices for consumers and hinder economic growth. Full Article